In the heart of the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, something extraordinary is taking root. Brahman Hills has officially broken ground on what is set to become the world’s largest labyrinth: a 22-hectare masterpiece that will anchor the venue’s new Serenity Garden and redefine South African ecotourism. But this isn’t the beginning of a garden story. It’s the…
December is finally here – that magical mix of long days, family catch-ups and the promise of a well-earned break. But between the rush to wrap up work and the scramble for last-minute plans, many of us forget one simple truth: some of the best holidays don’t need a passport. While international getaways tempt with…
Avontuur Estate has opened its newly upgraded Cellar Door. Experience the thoughtfully redesigned space that offers a bright, welcoming atmosphere. This refreshed wine boutique blends contemporary style with seamless indoor–outdoor flow, creating a relaxed and memorable experience for every visitor. With seating for up to 70 guests, the new tasting room is perfectly suited for…
Cape Town’s signature summer celebration is back! The Summer Festival of Racing has officially begun, marking a season where racing excellence, culture, fashion and lifestyle come together to create one of South Africa’s most anticipated summer experiences. Running from November 2025 to February 2026, this year’s festival introduces a refreshed vision for Race Coast: a…
At Shamwari, every arrival is special – but one guest was just a tiny bit more so… On 19 November, Shamwari Private Game Reserve welcomed a very unusual traveller: Mia, a spirited little meerkat who boarded her first-ever flight from Cape Town to the Eastern Cape. Her destination? Shamwari’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre (WRC), where a…
With just a few weeks to go until the December school holidays, many South Africans are running on empty. It’s a familiar rhythm at this time of year: With kids’ exams, year-end functions, holiday preparation and trying to wrap up the year at work, mental fatigue is real. For those fortunate enough to be going…
Brahman Hills, a leading destination in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, has once again been recognised – this time with the 2025 Best of PMB & Midlands Readers’ Choice Award, an honour determined entirely by the local community. The initiative forms part of the longstanding Best of South Africa Awards, which have celebrated South African business excellence…
As the city warms and the days grow longer, The Peech Hotel invites guests to experience its new Endless Summers package. Tucked away in the leafy suburb of Melrose, The Peech remains one of Johannesburg’s most loved boutique hotels, known for its easy charm, leafy gardens and genuine sense of hospitality. This fabulous summer offering…
Marking a decade of quietly redefining South African hospitality, The Living Journey Collection celebrates its 10th anniversary with the acquisition of Majeka House, a landmark boutique Winelands hotel in Stellenbosch. The small luxury hotel portfolio of eight properties, all within a two-hour drive from Cape Town, offers an experience rooted in genuine care, considered design…
The Galileo Open Air Cinema has brought back its premium offering, the Galileo Royale. Royale shows take place once a month at Nederburg in Paarl and Norval Foundation in the Constantia Wine Valley. These shows are more intimate with a smaller capacity, and are themed with a curated menu including canapés, a welcome drink, popcorn…
Building on over five decades of experience in African hospitality and property development, Beekman Group unveils San Martinho Vila Azul: a modern, village-style coastal retreat within the award-winning San Martinho Beach Club in Bilene, Mozambique. From its early beginnings in South Africa, the Beekman Group has grown into one of southern Africa’s most trusted hospitality…
One of the unique features of Fleur du Soleil Boutique Guesthouse is all the creative upcycled art, skilfully crafted by local artists from scrap materials. Artistic projects have a unique capacity to empower communities to envision a world different from their present reality. Indeed, the creative process can be particularly useful in contexts of poverty…
Vergelegen Wine Estate in Somerset West invites guests to savour the summer season with an irresistible array of food experiences. Whether you’re in the mood for a forest picnic, a relaxed family lunch, a cheese and wine platter or an artisanal ice cream, Vergelegen offers something to delight every palate and pocket – all in…
This summer, Cape Town’s iconic 76-foot catamaran MIRAGE is turning up the holiday vibes. From DJ-fuelled sunsets to Christmas Day sparkle and a New Year’s Eve bash at sea, MIRAGE is the ultimate floating playground for sun-chasers, music lovers and festive spirits alike. MIRAGE DJ Sunsets | 16 December to 11 January Long days, warm…
Zimbali Lodge on KwaZulu-Natal’s North Coast is entering a new phase under Dream Hotels & Resorts. Once known as a 4-star heritage property, the lodge is undergoing a full refurbishment across its rooms, restaurant and conference centre as it transitions toward a 5-star classification. The upgrade programme extends throughout the property, with guest rooms being…
As millions of passengers around the world look to reunite with friends and family this festive season, Qatar Airways is issuing its top tips to ensure you get where you want to go, and your passport is fit to fly. While airlines work with immigration authorities from across the globe to ensure a smooth travel…
In this new AI era where robotic responses, standardised services and biased algorithms are the norm, Fleur du Soleil Boutique Guesthouse shines as a beacon of personalised hospitality. Within our walls, the human touch is not a mere afterthought – it’s the very nucleus of your experience. Be it handpicked, locally sourced or lovingly vetted,…
Sky Guide Southern Africa is a practical resource for all stargazers, whether novice, amateur or professional. This annual guide highlights the cosmic events for each month of the upcoming year, including planetary movements, predicted eclipses and meteor showers. Star charts plot the evening sky for each season, facilitating the identification of stars and constellations. Highlights…
There’s something undeniably thrilling about booking a last-minute getaway: that rush of excitement, the break from routine, the sense of freedom. But beyond the buzz, spontaneous travel is actually good for your brain, too. “We’ve become so good at planning every minute of our lives that we forget how good it feels to just… go,”…
We all travel differently, and not just in the obvious ways. It’s more than choosing a beach over a city, or luxury over backpacking. “Travel is deeply personal,” says Shaun Lamont, managing director of First Group Hotels and Resorts. “It’s about how you connect with the experience, and what part of yourself you discover along…
Travelling by plane for the first time is a treasured memory many of us carry. It opens up a world of possibilities and countless opportunities. Boarding a plane for the very first time may feel daunting, but it’s filled with unforgettable moments. Your journey to the skies begins the moment you start looking for tickets…
Imagine stepping into a world where every detail is meticulously orchestrated to create a symphony of comfort and delight. Staying at Fleur du Soleil is akin to experiencing a remarkable choir performance. Executed with passion and warmth, it leaves you yearning for an encore. Much like a well-rehearsed choir, our team delivers every performance with…
Vergelegen Wine Estate in Somerset West has introduced a novel way to experience its rich heritage and award-winning wines: a guided walk through its historic core, with curated wine tastings that reflect the estate’s 325-year-old history at each stop. Guests start their journey in the Sundial Garden, guided by Arnoux Tredoux, manager of the Vergelegen…
The festive season is the busiest time of year to travel – and with gifts for loved ones, presents to bring home and extra clothes to make sure you look your best, you’ll probably have more luggage than usual. Serving 170 destinations from its award-winning Doha hub, Hamad International Airport, Qatar Airways’ crew get to…
Between the walls of Fleur du Soleil Boutique Guesthouse, the guest experience truly is a work of art – perhaps the double masterpiece of merging a Monet with a Kentridge. A taste of Saint-Tropez in Africa? S’il vous plait! Where these worlds meet, you find ukubaleka (‘escape’ in Xhosa). Once a minuscule fishing village, Saint-Tropez…
As summer unfolds across the Constantia Valley, Steenberg Spa invites guests to reconnect with nature, with stillness and with themselves. The spa’s new summer menu, inspired by the rhythms of the season, celebrates the restorative power of simplicity and the healing energy of the natural world. Recognising its exceptional offering, the Michelin Guide, which has…
The popular WildED Holiday Camp is returning to Crocworld Conservation Centre in Scottburgh from 15 to 19 December. Hosted at the WILDED Learning Hub @ Crocworld Conservation Centre in Scottburgh, the WildED Holiday Camp gives children aged 8 to 13 years an unforgettable week of fun. Children are welcome to come for one day, a few days…
MATH Restaurant continues to shape Johannesburg’s wine and culinary scene with another sold-out MATH Wine Club experience, reaffirming its status as the city’s leading destination for refined yet welcoming wine culture. Hosted at Waterfall Corner on 23 October, the evening treated guests to an unforgettable four-course tasting journey paired with exquisite wines from Taaibosch Wines…
On the banks of the Eerste River, where wild Cape gardens give way to heritage and mountain views, two new villas are redefining the essence of a stay in the Winelands. Blending the freedom of a private home with the ease of world-class hospitality, these exclusive-use retreats mark a new direction in understated and deeply…
The Royal Malewane Conservation & Research Centre (CRC) is the first facility of its kind to open in the Greater Kruger National Park. Opened in July 2023, it’s a dedicated space designed to bring science, education and wildlife protection into closer, more effective alignment. While there are only a handful of research centres in the…
