Mountains, Sea, and a Rooftop View
Twelve nights. Three distinct landscapes. One journey that felt more like a perfectly written novel than a trip. We began in Cape Town, a city that never fails to impress, no matter how many times you return. It’s layered, textured and set between mountains and sea in a way that feels unreal. We stayed at one of the most iconic addresses in the country, tucked just at the edge of the V&A Waterfront. From the rooftop, the views were cinematic we are talking harbour, Table Mountain, the Atlantic, all stitched together in perfect harmony. There’s something about Cape Town that wakes you up from the inside.
We explored at our own pace, a drive out to Cape Point, a stop at Boulders Beach for a few awkwardly charming penguin encounters, then dinner at a restaurant that, frankly, could rival anything in New York or Paris. And yet, some of my favourite moments were the quiet ones a coffee in one of the street side cafés, sunset from the rooftop, a sense of being completely still in one of the world’s most alive places.
In the Company of Wine and Time
From there, we drifted inland into the Winelands, where time slowed down. The wine estate we stayed at had that perfect balance of old-world charm and contemporary comfort. Mornings began with fresh air and the scent of garden roses and afternoons were for boozy lunches and exploring nearby wine farms, followed by long, drowsy hours by the pool. The estate’s own wines were exceptional and if you are a wine connoisseur you will love the little town and it’s surrounding. I don’t remember the days by their names anymore. Just by how they made me feel: rested, soft, completely present.
Lush, Alive, and Unexpected
Then came the bush and a change of pace. We flew northeast into KwaZulu-Natal and landed in a place I’d never quite imagined. It wasn’t the dry, dusty safari I thought I knew. This was something else, lush, green, almost tropical. The lodge was built into the rocks, just six rooms, each carved into the landscape with views that stretched into rocky outcrops. Everything was alive, the air, the colours, the sounds. Game drives brought us right into the heart of it, lions, elephants, rhinos - but also the details: a dung beetle rolling its prize, a lilac-breasted roller flashing past the game vehicle. The guides knew the land like a language. The hospitality? So seamless it almost disappeared it was present, thoughtful, never overdone. We felt looked after in the quietest, most generous way.
A Home in the Wild
And then, just when we thought nothing could top it, we boarded a light aircraft and flew north- west, into the Lowveld. The last lodge felt like a finale, like someone had taken notes throughout the whole journey and woven everything we loved into one final stay. Small, luxurious, personal. The design was bold and beautiful, but somehow felt like home. The team had remembered what we liked in Cape Town and even down to the wine we’d ordered on our first night. Our room? Styled with my favourite colour, even the smallest touch felt tailored. We ended our trip in the middle of the bush, under a velvet sky, champagne in hand, with firelight flickering and lions calling in the distance. It was silent, rich and deeply still. This journey wasn’t just about seeing South Africa, it was about feeling it. In colours, textures, tastes and conversations. From city lights to quiet vines and wild places, it all unfolded in a way that felt effortless. Intimate. Royal, but grounded. Refined, in every sense of the word.
Walked by Me, Ready for You
Let me help you experience Cape Town the way it deserves to be felt. Reach out to me.
