A group of travel consultants from Africa Travel recently enjoyed a weekend trip to Cape Town to prove that South Africa really can be a superb short-break destination.
After an overnight flight and with no jet lag, on arrival at Cape Town airport they were whisked off to visit The Bishops Court.
This luxury boutique hotel is beautifully located with stunning views of the back of Table Mountain, and overlooks the Kirstenbosch National Gardens.
The accommodation is charming and there is a fully qualified guide and chauffeur on-site to help guests get the most out of their stay.
Next stop was the ultra chic hip hotel, Kensington Place, located in the City Bowl area on the slopes of Table Mountain.
Kensington Place is a seriously 'cool' property and one that would suit honeymooners and young professionals alike.
Accommodation is superb and there are many lovely small touches throughout the property that do not go unnoticed - from oysters & champagne by the pool, to breakfast served on guest's private terraces.
All the Cape's attractions are within striking distance of the property, including the many bars and restaurants of the nearby Kloof St.
A quick stop at The Bridge presented the group with the opportunity to have a glimpse at another chic boutique property.
This is the place to stay if you want to impress your friends! This is private multi-level property offers the very best in designer living and would be perfect for a group of 4-6 adults.
A hostess and chef would ensure that you wouldn't even have to lift a finger.
They then took a look at another new property on the Cape Town scene, Four Rosemead, located near Kensington Place in the City Bowl area, is an absolutely delightful luxury guesthouse with wonderful setting, rooms and bathrooms.
The group were then whisked off by private helicopter from the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront along the coast to Hermanus.
This helicopter flip turned a normally pleasant two hour drive into an utterly spectacular thirty minute journey, past Table Mountain, out over the suburbs and along the coast.
The highlight of this transfer was the sight of nearly 50 huge Southern Right Whales with their calves which were swimming and basking beneath below in Walker Bay on their annual migration; truly an experience of a life-time.
The base for the night was the Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, located high above Walker Bay, close to Hermanus, the capital of South Africa's whale watching coast.
The stay at Grootbos was a fabulous experience.
Activities included a nature drive amongst perhaps one of the worlds most diverse examples of flora, a sunset trip to the beach accompanied by champagne and oysters, a massage for the ladies, and superb food and wine.
Their departure the following morning was preceded by a trip out on a boat to take a closer look at the whales.
They were treated to a spectacular show from one particularly friendly whale that displayed a few twists and turns no more than a couple of metres from the boat.
A glimpse at two great white sharks confirmed Grootbos as the place to visit for a complete wildlife experience.
The accommodation alone was worth the visit.
It was now time for the group to make their way back towards Cape Town but not before visiting two of The Royal Portfolio properties, namely Birkenhead House in Hermanus and La Residence in the heart of the Cape Winelands.
Birkenhead House is spectacularly located on a cliff and the standards it sets in terms of location, accommodation, service and cuisine are difficult to beat.
This is a simply stunning property, a real luxury home from home experience, and a real must for the discerning traveller.
Its sister property, La Residence, is located in Franschhoek in the beautiful wine region and is equally as impressive.
The stunning accommodation makes it a perfect base from which to explore this region's fine wines and cuisine.
Definitely one for those who appreciate the finer things in life.
A mere one hour transfer to the airport from Franschhoek signaled the end of a superb weekend break to Cape Town and it left all of the group thinking what a perfect short break destination Cape Town had become.
Although a one night stay may be a little too short, one could easily depart from the office on a Thursday evening, and return on the following Tuesday morning feeling completely invigorated, jet-lag free and with many memories of an incredible holiday destination.
After an overnight flight and with no jet lag, on arrival at Cape Town airport they were whisked off to visit The Bishops Court.
This luxury boutique hotel is beautifully located with stunning views of the back of Table Mountain, and overlooks the Kirstenbosch National Gardens.
The accommodation is charming and there is a fully qualified guide and chauffeur on-site to help guests get the most out of their stay.
Next stop was the ultra chic hip hotel, Kensington Place, located in the City Bowl area on the slopes of Table Mountain.
Kensington Place is a seriously 'cool' property and one that would suit honeymooners and young professionals alike.
Accommodation is superb and there are many lovely small touches throughout the property that do not go unnoticed - from oysters & champagne by the pool, to breakfast served on guest's private terraces.
All the Cape's attractions are within striking distance of the property, including the many bars and restaurants of the nearby Kloof St.
A quick stop at The Bridge presented the group with the opportunity to have a glimpse at another chic boutique property.
This is the place to stay if you want to impress your friends! This is private multi-level property offers the very best in designer living and would be perfect for a group of 4-6 adults.
A hostess and chef would ensure that you wouldn't even have to lift a finger.
They then took a look at another new property on the Cape Town scene, Four Rosemead, located near Kensington Place in the City Bowl area, is an absolutely delightful luxury guesthouse with wonderful setting, rooms and bathrooms.
The group were then whisked off by private helicopter from the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront along the coast to Hermanus.
This helicopter flip turned a normally pleasant two hour drive into an utterly spectacular thirty minute journey, past Table Mountain, out over the suburbs and along the coast.
The highlight of this transfer was the sight of nearly 50 huge Southern Right Whales with their calves which were swimming and basking beneath below in Walker Bay on their annual migration; truly an experience of a life-time.
The base for the night was the Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, located high above Walker Bay, close to Hermanus, the capital of South Africa's whale watching coast.
The stay at Grootbos was a fabulous experience.
Activities included a nature drive amongst perhaps one of the worlds most diverse examples of flora, a sunset trip to the beach accompanied by champagne and oysters, a massage for the ladies, and superb food and wine.
Their departure the following morning was preceded by a trip out on a boat to take a closer look at the whales.
They were treated to a spectacular show from one particularly friendly whale that displayed a few twists and turns no more than a couple of metres from the boat.
A glimpse at two great white sharks confirmed Grootbos as the place to visit for a complete wildlife experience.
The accommodation alone was worth the visit.
It was now time for the group to make their way back towards Cape Town but not before visiting two of The Royal Portfolio properties, namely Birkenhead House in Hermanus and La Residence in the heart of the Cape Winelands.
Birkenhead House is spectacularly located on a cliff and the standards it sets in terms of location, accommodation, service and cuisine are difficult to beat.
This is a simply stunning property, a real luxury home from home experience, and a real must for the discerning traveller.
Its sister property, La Residence, is located in Franschhoek in the beautiful wine region and is equally as impressive.
The stunning accommodation makes it a perfect base from which to explore this region's fine wines and cuisine.
Definitely one for those who appreciate the finer things in life.
A mere one hour transfer to the airport from Franschhoek signaled the end of a superb weekend break to Cape Town and it left all of the group thinking what a perfect short break destination Cape Town had become.
Although a one night stay may be a little too short, one could easily depart from the office on a Thursday evening, and return on the following Tuesday morning feeling completely invigorated, jet-lag free and with many memories of an incredible holiday destination.