Stellenbosch health and wellness kicks

It has been a whirlwind of a year and everyone is in need of a relaxing getaway. Whether you are keen to take a carefree stroll through breathtaking gardens and wine farms, cycle along the town’s scenic bike paths, or settle down to a delicious breakfast spread outdoors, a Stellenbosch wellness retreat is sure to deliver.

Plan a soothing Stellenbosch wellness retreat

Day 1
Wander through the paradisiacal gardens of Babylonstoren

Feel the sunshine on your skin as you enter the gates of Babylonstoren and immediately experience a sense of calm and serenity. The Babylonstoren farm comprises 3,5 hectares of crops, with the beautiful garden nestled right in the centre of the harvest. Wander past its abundant and colourful beds before making your way to the bakery where you will have the chance to sample some of its famous fresh-from-the-oven pastries.”

Tuck into breakfast at Babel

Alternatively, make your way to Babel Restaurant. It is located in the farm’s old cow shed and is as charming as can be. Along with serving up delicious farm-to-fork meals, the restaurant is also known for its architecture, which is a mix of Cape Dutch styling finished off with contemporary flair in the form of glass walls. Breakfast is served at a fixed rate of R290 per person, including tea, coffee, and a selection of refreshing, cold-pressed juice.

Get moving, get involved

After a restful start to the morning and an indulgent brekkie, you will probably be bursting with energy and keen to do some exploring or to get stuck into an activity. Depending on the season, the farmers could always use a hand with pruning, planting, or picking the farm’s crop of fruit, vegetables, nuts, herbs, and spices.

You can also work up a sweat with an intense run or a laid-back walk up the Babylonstoren koppie. You will be rewarded with panoramic vistas and the natural aroma of fynbos when you make it to the top!

Or take to the waters of the farm’s sparkling dam on a canoe, cycle your way through the orchards and vineyards, or amble down the spruit, which is lovingly lined with 7,000 clivias – an extremely rare plant that only flowers once every year.
Visit https www.babylonstoren.com 
Or contact +27 (0)21 863 3852 or enquiries@babylonstoren.com

Lunch at The Table at De Meye

The Table at De Meye is open for lunch from Wednesday – Sunday and is celebrated for its balanced set menu, which costs R395 per person and consists of three hearty courses. This restaurant knows all too well that variety is the spice of life, hence the reason why it changes up its menu on a weekly basis. The menu change is inspired by the seasonal fresh produce available from local suppliers, small-scale farmers, and delis.

If you’d prefer a more outdoorsy feel to the afternoon, from mid-October 2020, there will also be the option to savour a picnic in the De Meye vegetable garden. Lay out a blanket on the lush lawns before diving into a picnic spread prepared just for you. The De Meye picnic experience is charged at R600 for two people.
Visit www.thetablerestaurant.co.za 
Or contact +27 (0)72 696 0530 or bookings@thetablerestaurant.co.za

Day 2
Getting closer to nature

After sitting down to a diverse and delicious breakfast table as included in your overnight Babylonstoren package, it will be time to kick-start your metabolism and get those endorphins flowing with a quiet nearby hike, courtesy of Adventure Shop. Both beginners and seasoned climbers will fare well on the 6.5 km Waterfall guided hike. There are a few tricky sections that require some scrambling, but these are optional and can be easily bypassed.

Those hoping to go on a longer, more challenging excursion can opt for the Panorama guided hike, which extends 17km and starts with a steep trek up the side of Jonkershoek Valley. It is a must for experienced hikers, but it does take a significant amount of time to complete – so be prepared for a workout!
Visit https www.adventureshop.co.za
Or contact +27 (0)21 882 8112 or info@adventureshop.co.za

Fuel up at Spier Farm Café

All of that walking will have helped you work up a serious appetite! Do you really need any more reason to indulge in a filling, flavourful lunch at Spier Farm Café? You have the option to sit down or to grab and go. Choose from an assortment of delicious pastries, all made with local, stoneground organic flour, or get a dose of protein in the form of Farmer Angus’ mouth-watering beef, pork, and eggs – all sourced from happy animals reared on Spier’s pastures the natural way. The café’s meat and animal by-products are 100% free from growth hormones and routine antibiotics.
Visit www.spier.co.za
Or contact +27 (0)21 809 1100 or info@spier.co.za

Day 3
Breakfast and biking

Gobble up a quick yet satisfying Full English breakfast at Spier’s hotel restaurant to fill your body with energy and zest. Yesterday, it was all about the hike. Today, it is all about the bike! The Adventure Shop has an array of bike tours on offer that make it easy for you to explore the many different facets of Stellenbosch. Choose from bicycle or e-bike tours and pair them with a wine tasting, wine and chocolate pairing, and cellar tour to maximise the experience even more.
Visit https www.adventureshop.co.za
Or contact +27 (0)21 882 8112 or info@adventureshop.co.za

Lunch at Longridge Restaurant

After biking for the better part of the morning, you will be ready to sample the seasonal, South African contemporary cuisine at Longridge Restaurant. The restaurant is known to source its ingredients from its own organic kitchen garden and farm, resulting in the freshest, most flavourful meals that guests could ever imagine.

Alternatively, if you’d like to make the most of the sunny weather, opt for a Longridge picnic out on the sprawling green lawns. Top it all off with a selection of decadent wines and a country-cuisine picnic menu crafted by the chef.
Visit www.longridge.co.za
Or contact +27 (0)21 855 2004 or restaurant@longridge.co.za

Where to stay

Get cosy back at Babylonstoren

Along with beautiful scenery, Babylonstoren also promises relaxing, country-style accommodation ideal for a Stellenbosch wellness retreat. The homely suites are authentic replicas of old farm-workers cottages from times gone by and the hospitality is certain to meet and exceed all expectations. Cuddle up with your loved ones in front of the crackling fireplace in the winter or spend hours appreciating the warm afternoon sunshine in the hammock beneath the shady trees in the summer.

Settle down at Spier

The 4-star Spier Hotel is the perfect place to put your feet up and relax. The calming Eerste River that flows outside of your room will act as a soft lullaby to help you gently drift off to sleep at night or in the afternoons for a blissful nap. Be sure to head out to the swimming pool for a refreshing dip or laze around in the bright sunshine and appreciate the wide-open spaces. Don’t forget to book a facial or a massage at the Spier spa to take full advantage of the establishment’s garden-to-skin philosophy. Whatever treatment you decide to get, it is sure to create a soul-stirring memory as part of your Stellenbosch wellness retreat.

Cuddle up at Clos Malverne

Take in the picture-perfect views of Devon Valley from within your luxurious room at Clos Malverne wine estate before heading to the on-site spa for an assortment of wellness treatments. Take a load off and enjoy a soothing massage as you sip on a glass of the farm’s finest wine before venturing back to your room, bundling up with your loved ones, and settling down for the night.
Visit www.closmalverne.co.za 
Or contact +27 (0)21 865 2022 or info@closmalverne.co.za