The Western Cape has a lot to offer the visitor and resident alike. Within an hour or two from Cape Town are a multitude of quaint, homey small towns that offer stunning scenery, beautiful natural features and relaxation.

Travel an hour up the east coast and you’ll find Hermanus, a small coastal town, famous for the migration of the whales in autumn. Flanked on one side by the tiny seaside town Onrus, and on the other the by the smaller farming town of Stanford, the Hermanus area is a great spot for a weekend or even a day out, offering great eating out, art, craft markets, and even a movie screening on Friday nights.

In the town of Hermanus there is a variety of brilliant local restaurants, such as Savannah café, an owner-run café, serving delicious light lunches and delectable cakes. Just outside Hermanus, on the Stanford road is a local microbrewery, the Birkenhead, where visitors can sit and sample all the beer in the weak afternoon sunshine, while enjoying the tranquil views of the valley.

Over the hills and far away…well, through the mountains and about a two and a half hours drive, lies the tiny town of Montagu. In the Robertson valley, this area has become popular over the years for the amazing quality of wines, particularly sweet muscadel and red wines.

Another draw card for the area is the Hot Springs. Visitors to the Montagu area can go the hot springs, just out of town, for R60 for a day pass, or you can stay in the Avalon Springs resort and have unlimited access to the healing hot waters. Even if you don’t believe they’re as magical as the website would have you believe, you can’t deny that wallowing in hot pools isn’t relaxing.

The town of Montagu is a study in old world charm. From the Victorian era farmhouses, Cape Dutch gabled homes and the art deco Montagu Country Hotel, the town is a beautiful mix of architecture and natural beauty. Dispersed among the houses are vineyards and orchards, intensifying the country feel of the town.

Food in Montagu is homey and old-fashioned; accommodation in the guesthouses is personal and friendly, making this a short holiday to remember. The landscape offers much in the way of photo opportunities, with dramatic mountainous backdrops and orderly vineyards, stretching away into the distance.

So next time you have itchy feet and need to get away, think closer to home, within a few hours any side of Cape Town, you can find a beautiful little town, delicious wines and food, and come back rested and relaxed.

Article by Sigi

Dune Tours have the adrenalin junkies in Cape Town covered. Here is a far more placid and relaxing experience for you ZestCulture readers that might be traveling to the East Coast. Between the end of May and the first weeks of December the annual Humpback Whale Migration takes place along the East Coast of Africa. Particularly along the coast of St Lucia. Here permitted operator Danie Bennett  has been operating Advantage Charters since the inception of whale watching in South Africa.

Danie is one in a million. Respected amongst scientists for his accurate interpretation and ability to identify species. In 2008 Danie was chosen to be part of a team of scientists from Marine and Coastal Management, the regulatory body for permitted boat based whale watching in South Africa.

Imagine coming face to face with one of the largest animals on earth…this is made possible when going on an tour aboard the Advantage Charters. No experience could be more satisfying  than the sight of a beautiful 40 tonne mammal, launching it’s enormous body clear out of the ocean a mere 50meters from the vessel. Or tail slapping with a majestic tail of about 5 meters. These creatures are huge, yet gentle. Mysterious and as curious about you as you are of them.

Early morning sea temperatures of around 21 degrees are surprisingly warm for those not accustomed to the warm Elephant Coast weather from this sub tropical region. It is for this reason why the Humpback Whale migrate along this coast on their way to Mozambique and Madagascar to breed and calf. A new born calf would not survive the icy waters of the Antarctic. Mothers give birth to their calfs which weighs in at around 700kg and are about 4-7 meters long. The little newborn drinks up to 600 liters of milk per day to be able to build up enough blubber to protect it’s body for the journey back to the Antarctic.

Humpback Whales are the singing whales. The males serenade potential mates with haunting songs that can last up to half an hour. When viewed underwater, their long graceful flippers invoke an incredible sense of weightlessness.

Recent surveys have shown a significant population recovery of Humpback and Southern Right Whales since the termination of whaling. We hope their continued protection will ensure that this extraordinary species will be seen on our coasts in greater numbers.

The St Lucia coastline also regularly has sightings of Southern Right-, Bryde-, Sperm- and  Minky Whales. Dolphins, sea turtles, whale sharks and a variety of  sharks can also be seen.

Whale Watching should be one of the activities on your to-do list. A soul stirring experience never to be forgotten.

The ZestCulture team has recently received some information from one of our international correspondents. She is currently living in Abu Dhabi & sent us some interesting info from her travels.

Camels such as Falcon on the photo are retired racing camels they now use as a tourist attraction. They are seen as sacred in the UAE.

Only the wealthy own camels, and they use them for sports or even the production of milk.
YES! You can actually buy camel milk in stores here in the UAE. I have not tried it yet, but camel milk is known for its sweet taste.

There is also a rumour going round that if you should ever by accident hit a person with your car you would get a fine or get sentenced to jail, but hitting & killing a camel could result in your execution!!!

Riding a desert camel is definitely a must do before you kick the bucket.  It is an experience you will never forget.