Come to your senses

What’s that delicious smell? Do you hear that beautiful sound? Taste this! Look at that! This feels good… This month, we dug out some holiday activities to stimulate your senses.

Touch

Fruits of your labour
Although cherry and strawberry picking are quite popular, they don’t happen at this time of the year, so why not opt for apple picking at Appelhuis self-catering cottage in Barrydale? Guests can help pick apples during harvesting season and sample some as well.

$ Rates at Appelhuis are from R200 a person a night in the seven-sleeper self-catering cottage. Tel 028-572-1470, e-mail doornrivier@barvallei.co.za, web www.appelhuis.com.

Fishy doctors
Have fish nibble at your feet as part of a pampering pedicure at Lanzerac Hotel and Spa in Stellenbosch. They offer a treatment where Garra rufa (doctor fish) nibble your skin to exfoliate and massage it. You’re guaranteed to laugh, cringe and make weird sounds, but you’ll leave with smooth, refreshed feet.

$$ From R630 for a 15- minute nibble and pedicure. Web www.drfish.co.za.

Scratch around
The Scratch Patch is a great place to spend a few hours wading through beautiful gemstones and pick out the ones you like. Stones include tiger’s eye, rose quartz, amethyst, jasper, agate and crystals. There’s one at the Waterfront (opposite the aquarium) and in Simon’s Town.

$ From R14 to R85, depending on the size of your bag. Tel 021-419-9429 or 021-786-2020, web www.scratchpatch.co.za.

Get creative
Art Angels in Pretoria East has a range of craft courses, including mosaic workshops, pottery lessons, painting and beadwork. There’s also a selection of classes for kids and a mosaic matchmaker class for singles.

$ From R280 for a kids’ craft class (once a week for three weeks). Tel 071-675-2030, web www.artangels.co.za.

Stroke a donkey
At Mangela Animal Touch Farm at Tzaneen Country Lodge, kids can meet, touch and feed Jacob the donkey and miniature ponies Maya, Misty, Pepe and Inca. There are also ostriches, emus, pot-bellied pigs, goats, ducks, chickens and rabbits. Supervised pony rides are available. While the kids enjoy the animal interaction, the folks can tuck into homemade pancakes and other treats at the tea garden.

$$ Rates at Tzaneen Country Lodge are from R750 a night for a double room. Tel 015-304-3290, web www.tznlodge.co.za.

Smell

Stop and smell the roses
Take time out to visit Chart Farm in Wynberg, the only place in Cape Town where you can pick your own roses at a reasonable price. There is also fruit for sale and home-made jams and chutneys. The coffee shop’s sunny patio is a great spot to enjoy the view across Constantia Valley, or sit on the enclosed porch when the southeaster blows.

$ Roses are R4 each if you pick them yourself and ready-picked roses are R5,50 each. Tel 021-761-0434, web www.chartfarm.co.za.

Making scents
The main purpose of aromatherapy is to use massage and inhalation to absorb essential oils into the body. It’s used to reduce stress and rejuvenate and detoxify the body. Casa Mia Health Spa near Addo Elephant National Park offers a range of packages, including aromatherapy treatments, in one of their six Mexican-themed treatment rooms, pool, sauna, hydrotherapy bath and spa bath.

$ R300 for an aromatherapy massage. Tel 042-233-0075, web www.casamiaspa.co.za.

Spice things up
The Indian market in Durban is a great place to browse for spices, fabric and crafts, while enjoying the aroma of incense, masalas, curry powders and saffron. There are about 180 stalls, including Indian, Chinese and Taiwanese food sellers.

The market is at 151 Victoria Street, open from 08h00 to 18h00 Mondays to Saturdays and 10h00 to 16h00 on Sundays. Tel 031-306-4021.

Wake up and smell the coffee
Enjoy the aroma of fresh Arabica coffee beans at the Coffee Roasting Co at Lourensford Estate in Somerset West. You can pop in and watch coffee being roasted, get advice on which variety to choose, how to brew it and enjoy a free tasting.

Tel 021-847-0536, web www.coffeecompany.co.za.

Herbal healing
Get inspired by the medicinal plants at the Margaret Roberts Herbal Centre in De Wildt near Hartbeespoort. Enjoy the aromas of coriander, fennel, parsley, lemon balm, thyme, mint and many other healing and mealenhancing plants. The herbal centre is open to the public on Wednesdays only (free entry). Visit on 5 June to catch the exhibition of their new cosmetics, soaps, creams and essential oils.

Tel 071-161-6441 (mornings only), web www.margaretroberts.co.za.

Taste

Something to wine about
For private wine-tasting tours, try something different with Bikes ‘n Wines. Their tours combine adventure cycling with wine tasting in the Cape Winelands. A full day tour includes tasting (brandy and wine) at up to four farms and a train ride from Cape Town to Stellenbosch.

$$ From R390 a person, including return transport by train, tastings and pairings, snack packs, bike rentals, a bottle of wine and a donation to Lynedoch Child Cycling Club, a mentorship programme pioneered by Bikes ‘n Wines. Web www.bikesnwines.com.

The world is your oyster
Don’t miss the 27th annual Knysna Oyster Festival, packed with sporting events, oyster and wine tasting and kids’ programmes.

This year’s event takes place from 2 to 11 July. Web www.oysterfestival.co.za.

What’s cooking?
Joining a cooking class is a great way to acquire new skills while meeting people and enjoying good food. Wicked Food Cooking School in Sunninghill, Sandton, offers courses to hobby cooks, with dishes ranging from pasta and sushi to Indian and Mexican meals and even braai classes.

$$ Classes are from R350 a person. The fee includes recipes, ingredients, coffee and tea or selected wine and colddrinks – and the enjoyment of the meal afterwards. Tel 011-234-3252, web www.wickedfood.co.za.

In Cape Town, there’s Kitchen Cowboys (for men only) where each session includes tips on what to buy, pantry stocking, wine pairing and rescue techniques. $$$ The six-week course (Tuesdays 18h00 to 21h00) costs R3 500 and includes ingredients, drinks, apron, a Kitchen Cowboys recipe book and course notes. E-mail chef@kitchencowboys.co.za, web www.kitchencowboys.co.za.

Gecko Culinary Adventures in Durban offers a variety of classes on themes from whipping up quick and easy meals to making sushi. You can also host a private party at the venue without the hassle of cleaning up afterwards.

$ A sushi-making course is R300 (one class) and a mini cooking course is R1 500 for six lessons. Tel 031-209-4555, web www.geckoschool.co.za.

Have your (chocolate) cake and eat it
The only thing better than making your own chocolate is eating it. Chocolate Studio in Cape Town has a range of 10 workshops covering topics such as making cakes, chocolate dcor, showpieces and truffles. Learn to make delicious desserts with Lindt chocolate in one of the three-hour classes.

$$ R500 for the three-hour truffle making workshop. Tel 021-811-1334, web www.chocolatestudio.co.za.

Say cheese
Learn to make different cheeses (mozzarella, ricotta and mascarpone) with African Cheese and Wine tours and get to take some of your creations home. You can do the cheese-making workshop on its own or add a cheese and wine pairing luncheon at a wine cellar.

$$$ From R850 a person. Tel 073-613-2561, web www.cheeseandwine.co.za.

Market value
With all the food markets around, there’s no excuse to eat bad food. Find out about markets in your area and treat yourself to great local goodies and fresh fare. Visit http://www.getaway.co.za/article/top-45-farmers-markets for markets in your area or see our May issue (page 28).

Only the brave
If you have an adventurous palate, try a plate of mopane worms, amanqina (chicken feet) or amatumba (sheep intestines) at Nyoni’s Kraal in Cape Town. The menu’s not limited to brave people, however – there are some more mainstream South African treats as well, but we suggest you dare to be different.

$ R32 for a plate of chicken feet and R35 for mopane worms or sheep intestines. Tel 021-422-0529, web www.nyoniskraal.co.za.

See

View from the top
Whether it’s by hot-air balloon, helicopter, paraglider, private charter or even sky diving, you have to experience a bird’s eye view of your city.

Sky Adventures is based in Durban but offers all these activities and more in various parts of South Africa. There’s even a wedding proposal package for those who feel the words ‘Will you marry me?’ aren’t thrilling enough on the ground.

$$ A 20-minute gyrocopter flight is R750. Tel 073-334-7911, e-mail info@skyadventures.co.za, web www.skyadventures.co.za.

For exquisite views over the Magaliesberg range, opt for an unforgettable experience with Bill Harrop’s Balloon Safaris.

$$$ From R2 165 a person (minimum two people). Tel 011-705-3201, web www.balloon.co.za.

See you at the movies
Menlyn Drive-In, on the rooftop of Menlyn Park in Johannesburg, offers two movies every night (except Sundays). You can watch from your car, tuning into a radio frequency for sound and ordering a picnic basket from the caf.

$ Tickets are R65 a car and it’s half price on Wednesdays. The Sunday movie is R30 a car. Tel 012-348-8766, web www.menlynpark.co.za.

A night with the stars
Sutherland, home to the largest telescope in the southern hemisphere, has stargazing sessions every night. Sterland, just outside of town, also offers special midnight tours. This is reckoned to be one of the coldest places in South Africa, so be sure to dress warmly.

$ A midnight stargazing package is R100 for adults, R50 for children. Web www.sutherlandinfo.co.za.

On most Saturday evenings (weather and moon permitting), the Cederberg Astronomical Observatory, deep in the Cederberg Wilderness area, is open the public. Watch a short slide show followed by viewing of planets, nebulae, clusters and any galaxies that may be visible. Web www.cederbergobservatory.org.za. In Gauteng, stargazing evenings are hosted once a month at Maropeng.

$ R190 a person, including welcome drinks and dinner. Web www.maropeng.co.za.

A sight for more eyes
Cape Town Sightseeing Buses are a great way to get around the city; hopping on and off the doubledecker topless bus, you’ll see many attractions in one day. The Red City Tour takes you to 17 different stops around the city centre, including the aquarium, the Castle of Good Hope, various museums and the cableway. The Blue City Tour has 13 stops further afield, including Kirstenbosch Gardens, the World of Birds and Mariner’s Wharf in Hout Bay.

$ A one-day city tour is R110 if you book online (normally R120). Tours exclude entry fees to the attractions. Web www.citysightseeing.co.za.

Football fever
If you didn’t get tickets to watch any of the 2010 Soccer World Cup matches, you can still enjoy a vibey atmosphere by viewing the games at one of the FIFA Fan Fest locations. These fan parks are in Grand Parade in Cape Town, New Beach in Durban, St Georges Park in Port Elizabeth, Fields College in Rustenberg, Polokwane Cricket Club, Bergvlam High School in Nelspruit, Mangaung Outdoor Sports Centre in Bloemfontein, Elkah Stadium in Soweto, Innesfree Park in Sandton and Temba Sports Ground and Giant Stadium in Pretoria. Web www.fifa.com/worldcup.

Hear

Mesmerising music
Visit this year’s Greyton Classic Music Festival from 12 to 13 June for enchanting entertainment. Web www.greytontourism.com.

For a wide range of SA music, the Grahamstown National Arts Festival, from 20 June to 4 July, is South Africa’s oldest and biggest arts festival. The event offers music, dance, film and theatre. Web www.nafest.co.za.

Monday madness
Monday at 20h00 is Off-the-Wall poetry night at A Touch of Madness Caf in Observatory, Cape Town. Let the poets dazzle you with their prose, while enjoying drinks and dinner in a Victorian setting.

Tel 021-448-2266, web www.cafeatom.co.za.

The sound of silence
Sometimes, when you need a break from the bustle of the city, a quiet getaway is just the answer. Timamoon Lodge offers luxury rooms, each with private plunge pools, up in the hills, surrounded by forests and close to Kruger and Blyde River Canyon.

$$$ From R1 700 a person sharing, including breakfast and dinner. Tel 013-767-1740, web www.timamoonlodge.co.za.

Inyala Game Lodge in the North West, set between hills and bushveld, has fully equipped chalets at reasonable prices.

$ to $ From R200 a person a night in a chalet and R80 a person for camping. Tel 082-492-3177, web www.inyala.co.za.

Life’s a beach
Head to the coast and take a walk on the beach while listening to the soothing sounds of waves breaking, seagulls crying and the subtle rumble of seashells rearranging themselves as the water ebbs.

Web www.getaway.co.za/article/sand-between-yourtoes-2009-12-13 for a list of great beaches to visit.