Acclaimed experiential department store We Are EGG The Zone @ Rosebank in Johannesburg marked its first anniversary this past weekend with a vibrant celebration, attended by a long list of celebrities, fashion designers, influencers and key media.
The anticipation is building as the countdown begins for the much-awaited return of the Silver Spirit to the shores of Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands. Following our initial announcement, we are thrilled to share more details about this extraordinary cruise experience that awaits traveler's from December 2023 through February 2024.
Visiting the Western Cape in spring is an unparalleled experience. As the province sheds its winter cloak, it comes to life with a burst of vibrant wildflowers, breathtaking scenery, and a mild and inviting climate. Spring always brings a burst of colour to the landscapes opening the opportunity to experience mother nature work her magic.
Less than an hour’s drive from the Mother City nestled in the Cape Winelands, Franschhoek is one of the premier wine-producing regions in the country known for its picturesque vineyards, wineries surrounded by stunning landscapes.
With its surrounding breath-taking mountain ranges Franschhoek is an outdoor enthusiast’s playground, welcome the spring wildflowers with a short hike, work your way through dozens of winding trails - leading to views that will leave you in awe.
If sampling the finer things in life is more your style, then one of the more than 45 wineries nestled in the valley, should do the trick - ranging from spectacular to the family owned, this region is known for producing astonishingly good wines, and what better way to sip your way through the list than by travelling in style on the Franschhoek Wine Tram running on tracks that are more than 100 years old the tram is a must visit if you find yourself in Franschhoek.
Whether it’s a weekend away to decompress or a weeklong staycation there are quite a number of accommodations offers – from rustic country style accommodation to quaint luxury boutique offerings like the Protea by Marriott Hotel Franschhoek.
As tourism month kicks into high gear, it's the perfect time to celebrate and support local travel by embracing the opportunity to savour the sites and flavours of Franschhoek creating cherished memories.
Elevate your summer festivities with an exciting twist as we introduce the ultimate enhancement for your Roku Japanese Gin cocktail. Bring your cocktails to life with these six exquisite garnishes that will redefine your journey as a cocktail enthusiast. Roku Japanese Gin, with its harmonious blend of botanicals, offers a canvas for creativity that deserves to be explored this summer.
De Hoop Nature Reserve, a World Heritage site and Marine Protected area in the Overberg region is world renowned as one the best spots for land-based whale watching in South Africa. Every year, between June and November some 40% of the world’s southern right whales come to these shores to breed.
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According to marine conservation photographer, Jean Tresfon, Koppie Alleen in the De Hoop Nature Reserve had the highest concentration of whales. He recently undertook the first official aerial survey of southern right whale numbers for 2023 with Dr Els Vermeulen of the UP Mammal Research Institute Whale Unit.
“The first whale we spotted, in Hermanus just under the cliffs near the Old Harbour, was upside down with a tiny calf on her chest. As we went on, we started to see more and more southern right whales, with 346 whales (of which 172 were calves) counted between Struisbaai and Skipskop Point. But, as expected we found the main concentration of whales at Koppie Alleen. There were so many whales here that the counting was an exercise in itself! The final number was 472 whales, (236 were calves) in the bay at Koppie Alleen, while another 115 whales (57 calves) were counted along the rest of the De Hoop coastline towards Cape Infanta."
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The final figure from the aerial survey from Hermanus to Witsand of 1 136 whales, showed a substantial increase over the numbers counted over the past four years, but still less than the record numbers seen in 2018.
“Whale time is definitely a favourite time at De Hoop Collection,” said William Stephens, owner of De Hoop Collection on hearing the results. “This figure comes as no surprise. Koppie Alleen, with its relatively warm and calm waters is a haven for whales and their calves and is in fact the most important nursery area on the South African coast for southern right whales and this results in impressive numbers of whale sightings.”
The De Hoop Collection situated in the heart of the magnificent reserve and just three hours from Cape Town, offers a range of affordable accommodation from campsite rondawels, self-catering cottages and houses (sleeping from two to six people) to romantic suites, an old stone Manor house and the recent addition of the De Mond Villa.
Member of Cape Country Routes, the De Hoop Collection is the perfect destination for a weekend getaway – here you get to experience a unique outdoor experience like no other - the sea, the beaches, a Ramsar listed vlei, rare indigenous plants, diverse animal and bird life… and the Whales. “De Hoop continues to be the best spot for whale watching in South Africa From the high vantage point of the pristine dunes of Koppie Alleen our guests get to enjoy incredible sightings of the whales breaching, tail slapping and spyhopping - a term for when a whale rises partially out of the water in an upright position”.
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Book now and experience the magic that is De Hoop!
Call or email Samantha at De Hoop Collection +27 (0)21 422 4522, res@dehoopcollection.co.za
Reservations: 021-422 4522 or res@dehoopcollection.co.za, www.dehoopcollection.com