The kids are back at school and it’s time for mom to let her hair down! From exciting events to relaxing spa days with a glass of Stellenbosch’s finest in hand, here is a round-up of the itinerary must-haves to add to your list if you’re planning a getaway in the next few weeks.
Workshops and events
Oyster and Bubbly Experience with Ramon Alexander
When? Sunday, 7 March 2021 at 2pm
Where? Rupert Museum
Cost? R480 per person
It’s a feast for both the taste buds and the ears at the Oyster and Bubbly Experience at Rupert Museum. Sit back and savour the magic that is composer, Ramon Alexander, when seated behind the piano. He’ll serenade you while you tuck into a mouth-watering oyster pairing, courtesy of the experts from The Mussel Monger & Oyster bar, South Africa’s premium purveyor of fresh oysters and mussels. The premium oysters will be paired with the delicate salmon hue of L’Ormarins traditional Brut Classique Rosé. This velvety rosé is made predominantly from Pinot Noir and the classic L’Ormarins Brut Classique.
All COVID-19 safety protocols will be firmly in place to ensure that you’ll be able to enjoy every moment of the event completely worry-free.
To book, contact +27 (0) 21 888 3344 or tatum@rupertmuseum.org or visit http://rupertmuseum.org/events/oyster-bubbly-experience-with-ramon-alexander/
Workshops at Babylonstoren
Babylonstoren is hosting a variety of incredible workshops throughout the year. If you’re a keen gardener, you’ll love the propagation workshop taking place on March 10th at 10am. It’ll be hosted by resident botanist, Ernst van Jaarsveld, and includes a scenic stroll through the flourishing Babylonstoren gardens and a hearty lunch at the Greenhouse Restaurant. The price is R700 per person and space is limited.
Another highlight is sure to be “Discover the secret life of bees in autumn” workshop on March 17th at 10am. The focus will be on Cape honeybees – honoured workers on the Babylonstoren Farm – and you’ll even get to try your hand at beekeeping in a real beekeeper’s getup with Babylonstoren’s beekeeper, Arné Stander, as your guide. This workshop also costs R700 per person.
Book your place online via the Babylonstoren website or contact +27 (0) 21 863 3852 or enquiries@babylonstoren.com
A day at the spa
Lanzerac spa
Let your stress melt away with a choice of relaxing beauty treatments at Lanzerac Spa. Take in breath-taking views of the estate’s lush vineyards and the looming Stellenbosch mountains throughout your treatments as you gaze out of the large sash windows. The Lanzerac Spa team embraces both international and local product ranges to ensure that you’re pampered with only the best.
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday 9am – 6pm
Book your spa day via +27 (0) 21 887 1132 or spa@lanzerac.co.za
While you’re at Lanzerac, don’t forget to stop by the Manor Kitchen for a timeless Saturday afternoon tea, costing just R280 per person. You’ll enjoy this classic pastime with an assortment of re-imagined delicacies, such as hot croquettes, soft and crumbly finger sandwiches, petit fours, pretty cupcakes, and macarons. If you’re in the mood for something with a more significant ‘kick’, you can upgrade the experience to include bottomless MCC at just R380 per person.
Opening Hours: Saturday 2pm – 5pm (afternoon tea)
Make a reservation via 27 (0) 21 887 1132 or restaurants@lanzerac.co.za
The Garden Spa
The Garden Spa at Babylonstoren revolves around using nature to help you find peace. It takes its inspiration from the thriving garden and the ever-changing seasons and is often referred to as a ‘living’ spa. It’s nestled in a dense forest of bamboo with tranquil greenery and a myriad of leiwater channels for an ambience beyond compare. Along with traditional spa treatments, guests also have access to a hammam, chill room, hot spa, and gym.
Opening hours:
Daily from 9am – 5pm
Book your spa day via +27 (0) 21 300 3929 or spa@babylonstoren.com
Linger a little longer for lunch at Babel Restaurant, housed in the farm’s old cow shed. Its laid-back country feel will help you to hold onto the tranquillity infused during your time spent at the spa. While you’re bound to find a few classic favourites on the menu, be prepared for a few unconventional combinations, too! Regardless of what you order, you’re guaranteed maximum freshness and flavour due to the establishment’s “pick, clean and serve” approach to hospitality.
Opening hours:
Breakfast: Monday to Sunday 8am – 9:30am
Lunch: Wednesday to Sunday 12pm – 3:30pm
Dinner: Monday to Sunday, 6pm – 8:30pm (Restaurant closes at 10pm)
Booking is essential
Make your reservation via +27 (0) 21 863 3852 or enquiries@babylonstoren.com
Experiences
Hazendal Russian Tea Experience
Interested in delving deeper into Russian culture? It doesn’t get much better than the Russian Tea Experience at Hazendal. You’ll settle down in the estate’s elegant Avant-Garde space, lovingly decorated with hand-painted murals and crystal chandeliers, before sipping and snacking the afternoon away. Select from meaty, vegetarian, gluten-free, vegan, and kiddies’ menus.
The Russian Tea Ceremony is presented from Tuesday to Sunday 10am – 5pm (last booking at 3pm) and costs R395 per adult.
Make your booking on the Hazendal website or via +27 (0) 21 205 5620 or bookings@hazendal.co.za
The Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden
Nature and art come together inside this glorious garden, which is chockfull of local artist, Dylan Lewis’, very best work. There are over 60 sculptures across a span of around 4 km of pathways. Each sculpture seeks to unpack the Jungian notion of ‘the wilderness within’, with the garden’s location further supporting this notion. It can be found straddling two completely different ‘worlds’, namely the manicured suburbs of Stellenbosch and the rugged mountain wilderness where leopard still roam.
Make a booking via +27 (0)21 880 0054 or reservations@dylanart.co.za
Sips and Sights Tour
Celebrate the many specialities of Stellenbosch on the Sips and Sights tour – specifically nature, wine, food, and art. Choose between two packages, each offering a host of exciting locations and experiences, including a visit to Rupert Museum, the Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden, Delaire Graff, Glenelly Estate, and Spier Wine Estate, to name but a few. There’ll be an opportunity to meet local artists, as well as plenty of wine/gin tastings, bubbly/lemonade and coffee/tea to enjoy. The tour includes safe transport along your route of choice but excludes lunch and gratuity.
Make your booking at least one week in advance on the Sips and Sights website or via +27 (0) 83 2277 501 or leone.pitts@gmail.com
Luxury picnic at Quoin Rock
Settle down beneath a shady pergola and relax in the soft autumn breeze before tucking into your Quoin Rock picnic basket, lovingly prepared by the resident chefs. The basket boasts a number of mouth-watering spoils, including a French baguette with roast tomato butter, basil pesto, a diverse Dalewood cheese selection, a Jewels meat selection, a variation of salads, beef fillet, homemade mustard garnished with pea shoots, and a sweet dessert to round it all off. Unlimited still or sparkling water is included in the price (R400 per person).
Opening hours:
Thursday to Sunday, 12pm – 3pm
Book on the Quoin Rock website or via +27 (0) 21 888 4750 or winelounge@quoinrock.co.za
Blaauwklippen Macaron and Wine Pairing
Think soft, light, subtly sweet macarons paired with five smooth, fine wines and you’ll have a good idea of what to expect at the Blaauwklippen Macaron and Wine Pairing experience. The macarons are all freshly made ahead of your visit and all of the wines are hand-selected by the Blaauwklippen wine masters for a flavourful experience that you won’t be quick to forget. It costs R150 per person.
Book on the Blaauwklippen website or via +27 (0) 21 880 0133
For more information or recommendations, do not hesitate to contact the Visit Stellenbosch Information Centre at 021 886 4310.
