My beloved readers!

Are you all set to bid adieu to 2018?

Well, I am! Can’t wait for a miraculous 2019. 2018 was a blessing for me.  

Comment below how 2018 treated you.

This week, I will be throwing spotlight on Stellenbosch & Franschhoek, beauties of Western Cape, South Africa. These deserve a lot more attention than they get.

Explore the good life in these gorgeous (not so) little towns in this blog post. 

Also, if you haven’t read about my spiritually awakening experience at a private game drive in South Africa, the click here!

Now let’s crack on with the reason why I have given the title of “Good Life “ to this blog post.

Stellenbosch is a lovely university town in South Africa’s Western Cape.

Located just 45 minutes from Cape Town, travelers end up preferring to do day trips to  Stellenbosch.

R & I on the contrary wanted to explore the Western Cape wholeheartedly so we stayed 5 days in Cape Town, 3 days in Stellenbosch & 3 days in Gondwana Private Game Reserve.

Stellenbosch has a Cape Dutch architectural style which will #throwYOUback in it’s colonial history time. I believe staying in Stellenbosch put us in touch with the real (old-school) South Africa.

Franschhoek, on the other hand is a town with centuries-old vineyards famous for it’s Motor Museum that displays vintage cars (+modern cars from 1903-2016) amid mountain farmland.

The reason both of these have made an appearance on The Maven Lifestyle ‘together’ is that they’re just 25 minutes away from each other. These towns will give you some authentic South African vibes so make sure you explore these well. 🙂

6 Things we experienced at Stellenbosch & Franschhoek

1. STAY IN A WINE ESTATE

R & I chose to stay at Asara Wine Estate which is an award winning hotel of South Africa. According to my husband, Asara gave a very European vibe and I couldn’t agree more. I believe this property has been refurbished and was established in 1691. It was such a dream to live in a place like Asara ‘cos no matter which part of the hotel we looked at, we thought it made a perfect postcard image. There’s a lot Asara can offer- from wine tours & tasting to gin tasting (they have the hottest Gin Cocktails in town) and then some biking, golfing, etc.

Asara is a place where everyone would find something to do and that’s why staying at Asara, got me all

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2. SPA AT DELAIRE GRAFF ESTATE

Delaire Graff Estate is hands down the poshest property in this region but it is their spa which deserves a very special mention.

This is by far the most luxurious experience I’ve ever had at a price which was jaw dropping (-ly) reasonable.

Plus, I would like to give a shoutout to the therapists at the Delaire Graff Spa for the knowledge they possess in the arena of Beauty & Wellbeing.

Did you know that you could have a University degree in Beauty & Wellness?

Like a full fledged 3 year course?

*I’m in absolute awe*

Spa at Delaire Graff was not just relaxing & luxurious for me, but quite enlightening as well!

Spa was followed by a fabulous dinner at the famous delaire graff restaurant…

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3. GIN COCKTAILS & FIREWOOD PIZZA AT SANSIBAR

Sansibar Bistro, one of Asara’s dining area is really famous for it’s signature Gin cocktails & heart-warming views. I cannot even express in mere words how yummy their cocktails are! It’s fascinating to watch the bartender craft a cocktail which is a concoction of just pure perfection.

And PIZZA lovers, ALERT! Sansibar serves the yummiest pizzas in the whole of Western Cape.

{Someone take me back there, PLEAAAASEE.}

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4. FRANSCHHOEK MOTOR MUSEUM

This is an absolute treat for every car enthusiast of the world.

The husband was the most excited to experience this as he’s the biggest car enthusiast I’ve had to privilege to interact with :-p

This museum showcases 100 years of motoring history with vintage cars from 1903 to racing cars till 2016. It also has a jaw dropping collection of motorcycles, bicycles and memorabilia in the magnificent setting of vineyards.

When you’re at the Franschhoek Motor Museum, I strongly recommend you hire a guide who shows you around and gives you a short back story behind every single car on display. Every car that’s got it’s place in the Motor Museum represents a biter-sweet story. I’m not even into cars and this guided tour teared me up & kept me hooked all throughout!

Post this guided tour, the husband & I got picked by a vintage car that took us around the farmland where this museum is built. We then did some wine tasting (obviously) & had sat down for a wholesome lunch!

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5. DINE AT BABEL

When around Stellenbosch-Franschoek region, Babylonstoren MUST be your longest pitstop. It’s one of the oldest Cape Dutch farms that grows and serves it’s own harvest. R & I had the privilege to dine at Babel which is works on the farm-to-fork philosophy.

This restaurant is ery highly rated on Zomato and now in our hearts as well.

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6. WINE TASTING & MORE WINE TASTING

Asara, Delaire Graff, Babylonstoren,and many more wine estates do wine tours & tasting which makes South Africa a heaven for wine connoisseurs. You can do wine tours on horse back, vintage cars and trams- there’s no dearth of options when it comes to delving deep in the world of

W-I-I—I-N-N-N-E !

There’s obviously a lot more you can do but we did the aforementioned in 2 days which I think was a lot. The property we stayed at, Asara Wine Estate was so so beautiful that we took an entire day off just to chill and roam around. That was the only day R & I endlessly cuddled & engaged in a snuggle fest; all the other days were filled with lots of exposure, learnings and consequent growth…

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Comment below, which of the aforementioned things makes you want to fly to South Arica, nowww!

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Love & Light,

Aakansha