The best of 2017

It’s been a while since I last posted, but the Hedonist Hippies are back on the trail and planning our next journeys to lesser known destinations for the coming year!

Apart from our wonderful, extended stay in Sicily last year, we did manage a few local excursions and discovered new places to eat, drink and sleep!

This is a round up of some of the best of 2017.

Destination

Stanford

This delightful village situated on the banks of the Klein River and only 30 minutes drive from Hermanus is truly a lovely place to visit. The surrounding countryside is verdant and there are well marked pathways along the river for a gentle stroll before or after sampling the delights of one of the many eateries in town.

There are pretty places to stay and the village is a good base for visiting the coast or tasting fabulous wines on the local wine route

Eat

La Rosa Blu Cafe – George

Sometimes it’s the very places on your doorstep that get overlooked and they don’t deserve to be.

We pass this restaurant, situated on a rose farm, every time we travel to George from Prince Albert and often remark that we should stop and see what it’s like. Finally, in November, we did and what a gorgeous place it is! Shabby, vintage chic with expansive views over the Outeniqua mountains and an original menu.

The food and drinks were delicious and beautifully presented. The gin and mixes come in industrial sized glasses and there is a good choice of craft beer and ciders as well as wine.

Great food, great service and a lovely tranquil spot – don’t just pass it by, stop there!

 

SALT – Kalk Bay

This is a fabulous tapas bar that opened in Kalk Bay earlier in 2017. The decor is all exposed brick walls and hanging plants – with scrubbed wooden tables and window seating overlooking the harbour.

The food is written up on a blackboard and changes regularly offering a range of unusual tapas, main courses and decadent breakfasts.

Salt is worth a visit for a more informal way of eating and a is great place to meet friends to share communal plates of food – my favourite way to eat!

Stay

Boutique Guest House Hanover

What a wonderful find in the middle of the Karoo! This beautifully decorated guest house, in the quaint village of Hanover, is a wonderful stop-over when travelling long distances on the N1.

The rooms are spacious and very comfortable and the dining room offers authentic Karoo cuisine.

It’s worth spending more than one night here just to soak up the atmosphere of this charming guest house and enjoy the sumptuous food.

Here’s to 2018

We’re looking forward to driving the roads less travelled and discovering more off-the-beaten track destinations to include on the website this year.

There’s nothing quite like arriving at a village, eatery or place to stay that instantly becomes a gem to treasure – that’s the thrill of travel!

Wishing you all great and safe journeys in 2018.