Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens with lunch at the Chefs Warehouse
From €5/person (+ local costs)Cape Town
Kirstenbosch is acclaimed as one of the great botanic gardens of the world and is located against the eastern slopes of Cape Town's Table Mountain. As well as fabulous trees, flowers and plants, there are also wonderful sculptures dotted around the gardens. There are always interesting flowers and plants year round at Kirstensbosch and every season has its' charm, however the best time to visit is in spring and early summer which is August to November time. You can either visit by yourselves if you are self-driving, or an organised tour with a guide can be arranged.
For lunch visit the Chefs Warehouse at Beau Constantia (one of Liam Tomlinson's four restaurants). Chef Ivor Jones (former head chef at The Test Kitchen) is in charge with his able team, concocts imaginative dishes, whose flavours will stick in your mind long after you’ve taken your last bite. Booking in advance is necessary for this popular restauarant.
The Franschhoek Motor Museum with lunch or dinner at Le Petite Colombe
From €8/person (+ local costs)The Winelands
Visit the Franschhoek Motor Museum, to see the magnificent collection of vintage cars, motorcycles, bicycles and auto memorabilia on display which are all in mint condition, housing more than 100 years of motoring history. The specific automobiles selected for display are alternated to keep things interesting, making return visits a must.
Our top tip is to go for a chauffeured vintage car ride on the L’Ormarins Estate and if you book 2-3 days in advance, you will be emailed a selection of motors from which to choose your ride!
Either beforehand or afterwards, have lunch or dinner at La Petite Colombe (not included). Everything about this 54-seater restaurant oozes timeless elegance - from the background music to the pared-down yet sumptuous interiors. In summer months, the foldout doors reveal a sunny patio for lingering lunches, while a toasty central fireplace warms the room in winter.
Transfers can be arranged at an additional cost.
Zeitz Mocca Museum, lunch and shopping
From €14/person (+ local costs)Cape Town
The Zeitz MOCAA - Museum of Contemporary Art Africa is in an eye-catching building. This public, not-for-profit contemporary art museum which is a partnership between the V&A and Jochen Zeitz, collects, researches, preserves and exhibits twenty-first century African art. This exquisite space houses a diverse range of contemporary African art spread out over nine floors. (Please note it is closed on Tuesdays).
Have lunch at Harbour House, where the specialty is seafood. Think game fish crudo, crispy prawns and white fish goujons. Have sushi with friends upstairs or share a lavish seafood platter with a glass of local wine.
After lunch, spend some time shopping at the nearby Watershed, which is the home of South African design and is located in the heart of the V & A Waterfront. It offers a beautiful indoor market with over 150 stands with handmade crafts made by local artisans, ranging from textiles, to ceramics, furniture to jewellery, toys to fashion etc.
Cooking Workshop followed by city bike tour
Marrakech
Spend your morning at La Maison Arabe where you can do a cooking workshop, which is taken by a dada (which is a traditional Moroccan cook) or a chef from La Maison Arabe Moroccan restaurant and are held at the hotel which is centrally located. Small groups of maximum 10 participants work alongside a translator, using modern equipment found in everyday kitchens. At the end of the morning you will dine on the delicious meal you have prepared, which will include an appetizer and a main dish (a tagine), or a main dish and pudding.
After eating all that delicious Moroccan cuisine, if you fancy burning off some of those calories and seeing the sights, you can hop on a bicycle and explore the city of Marrakech or perhaps the Palmeraie. With fun, experienced guides and the latest bikes for all abilities it is a great way to explore the area.