From exploring Morocco’s culture and diverse landscapes, to epic adventures in South Africa, and honeymoon vibes in Mauritius, find out the best places to travel to in my Africa travel blogs and travel guides.
From Cape Town to Stellenbosch and Durban to Kruger National Park, these are the best holiday destinations in South Africa.
South Africa has been on my dream destination list for a long time now. From the country’s amazing wildlife (big five, whales and more) to the wine regions, the beautiful scenery and the food, there are plenty of reasons South Africa is a popular holiday destination.
Giraffes in the wild in South Africa
I’ve wanted to pop a South Africa blog together for a while, as I’ve had so many messages from you guys asking if I have any posts or tips on places to visit.
So I decided the best thing to do was to hand over to some of my blogger pals to recommend the highlights from their adventures in SA. So without further ado, here are the best holiday destinations in South Africa, by those who REALLY know!
Stellenbosch
Lucy from On The Luce absolutely loved Stellenbosch, South Africa. Here’s why she thought it was so special…
South Africa’s Stellenbosch is heaven for wine lovers. Valleys full of vineyards surround the town, and along with neighbouring wine regions Franschhoek and Paarl, it’s home to hundreds of wineries. Stellenbosch is most famous for its Pinotage reds and Chenin Blanc whites, but there’s a whole range of different grapes and wine styles, including some tasty sparkling wines that give Champagne a run for its money at half the price!
From exploring the colourful capital, paddle boarding and cooking traditional food, to sampling the island’s top rums, checking out the natural wonders and relaxing on paradise beaches, there are plenty of amazing things to do in Mauritius!
Find out if Mauritius really lives up to those paradise images you have in your mind, as I check out newly renovated luxury hotel, Heritage Le Telfair Golf and Wellness Resort.
View from the lobby at Heritage Le Telfair, Mauritius
After exploring a lot of the Caribbean over the last few years, I was excited to venture to another corner of paradise. After a 12 hour flight from London I reached Mauritius – and from our arrival over turquoise waters and epic mountains, I could already see that this was a place where the photos would take themselves!
Our check in at Heritage Le Telfair Golf and Wellness Resort, a hotel on the south of the island, was no ordinary one. After an intensive three-month renovation project, that evening over 500 people would gather on the property to toast its chic new look. Incredible dancers, beautiful imagery, lighting, soundscapes and gourmet food combined to create a night none of us would forget in a hurry. I started to wonder if they threw extravagant parties like this every night!
The incredible relaunch party at Heritage Le Telfair, Mauritius
By day two, it was business as usual, and over the next week we found time to enjoy the luxurious pools, relax on the beach and explore the impressive grounds, taking part in pilates, sunset yoga, a golf initiation, stand up paddle boarding, a cooking class and dining at pretty much all of the resort’s restaurants. So, whether you’re looking for a paradise getaway and can’t decide where to jet off to next, or you’re already considering Heritage Le Telfair, here’s a rundown of what to expect.
Enjoying fresh coconuts on the beach at Heritage Le Telfair, Mauritius
Heritage Le Telfair Golf and Wellness Resort: Hotel Overview
This hotel offers 5-star luxury in stunning surroundings. The south is seen as the wilder, more secluded and authentic part of the island. While for me, this was a big selling point, some may prefer being nearer the main towns and closer to the action. With its own stretch of white sandy beach protected by a reef, two large pools (one of them heated which is ideal for visits in cooler months) several restaurants, a brand new wellness centre, tonnes of activities and an 18-hole championship golf course, it’s perfect whether you want to relax or keep active. Its sister property, Heritage Awali, is next door, and provides extra options of restaurants, including a great Indian restaurant and Coco Shack – a cute beach hut selling fresh coconuts and cocktails. In terms of location, you’re a short drive from a few of the island’s natural wonders – the Seven Coloured Earths, Chamarel Waterfall, and Black River Gorges National Park.
Warm sunshine, refreshing cocktails, delicious Asian tapas, all set to the chilled beats of ethereal house music. It’s official – spring has sprung in one of my favourite cities, Marrakech!
High season has arrived, bringing with it tourists from near and far. After hours exploring the incredible sights and sounds of the medina, Jemaa el-Fna Square and taking in the colour and culture of the city, the chic new terrace at Buddha-Bar is the perfect place to unwind.
Buddha Bar Marrakech Terrace
Thankfully the cocktails are a LOT better than the ones I made with expert barman Houssam in January! Top new creation Tikech is a subtle blend of Pink coral flower, coconut water, passion fruit and pineapple – one sip of that and you’ll know not only that spring is here, but that summer isn’t far away either.
Testing out my sushi making skills at Buddha-Bar Marrakech.
They say it takes years of training to become a sushi master. I had only a few hours, but I was determined not to make a fool of myself. The setting? Buddha-Bar Marrakech – the city’s hottest new bar and restaurant.
My Buddha-Bar experience started here, with a delicious dinner of Asian fusion dishes. After enjoying it so much, I was invited back the following day to don an apron, and spend some time learning from the masters. It wasn’t just about sushi, I also had the chance to test out my pastry skills too!
Check out the video of my luxury weekend in Marrakech and scroll down to read all about it!
I love the buzz of a professional kitchen. Considering the high level of stress, I’m always amazed at how tidy they are. Between 4-7pm, the stark white polished kitchens of Buddha-Bar were a hive of activity, with sushi rice being prepped, ice cream being churned and pastry being baked. Piles of sliced spring onion and strips of avocado lay ready to be rolled into sushi, while across the room the deep fat fryer was crisping up some spring rolls. The air was rich with the scent of ginger, garlic and chilli, and several sous-chefs were busy on prep duty. It’s easy to lose sight of how much labour goes into creating one gourmet dish, but as I stood there, I appreciated the previous night’s meal even more.
