Special De-Stress Packages in the Winelands of South Africa

Last Sunday we were reading the paper, and lo and behold, the first of the Christmas Special Editions found its way in there already!  I don’t know if its just me… but I get tired just looking at all the Christmas adds and specials…  A lot of us might need a little bit of a break before the big break.  Some much needed “me time” before we all go on holiday and get together with the family and friends.  Here I’d like to share two great options for you to consider.  This would also fit in perfectly with a Cape Town and Safari Tour.  Rejuvenate before we celebrate, and then we’ll look at detox next year 😉

Rosendal Winery and Wellness Lodge is a wine estate that was established in 1805, and offers beautiful scenery, a spa with treatment facilities, a great country restaurant, a small intimate wine cellar and game drives close by.  You can choose from lovely exclusive rooms in the guesthouse and grape based treatments in the spa.  The Guesthouse is a haven of serenity, each en-suite room is tastefully furnished with colonial furniture and every room overlooks the vineyards, pond or the beautiful gardens.  At the on-site spa and wellness center you can shed your cares and surrender yourself to the quality of personal service, unique to a small luxury establishment.  The Spa and Wellness Center offer qualified therapists offering traditional treatments using products from wine grapes, enriched with antioxidants.  The Spa also offer the option of outdoor treatments, a swimming pool, an outdoor cooling tank and an outdoor Jacuzzi.

The Rosendal is offering a De-Stress Spa Formula, with which you will be invited to relax and get in touch with yourself in the most tranquil surroundings.  The treatments in the package focus on the complete feeling of wellness, with an African Wood massage, and a Theravine Balancing or Hydrating Facial.  The therapist will evaluate your skin and recommend a facial suitable for you.  The gentleman will also have an African Wood massage and a purifying back treatment.

You will be met on arrival with a refreshing drink, then you can dip into the pool, go for a walk or just un-wind with sundowners and enjoy the spectacular views of the valley.  On the first evening you will taste the awarded Rosendal Range and let the staff tell you all about the wine before dinner a-la carte at Rosendal Restaurant by Michelin chef David Godin, followed by coffee.  The next morning you can go for an early morning walk.  It’s the best time to get some exercise, and you could also take a look at the wine orchards.  Enjoy a cold and/or hot breakfast from the kitchen, with Rosendal sparkling wine.  After breakfast meet up at the Spa for your African Wood Massage.  Relax by the pool, at the room or at the Spa.  Lunch will be enjoyed with a glass at Rosendal’s restaurant.  This afternoon after lunch you will meet up again for your second Spa Treatment, which is a Theravine Hydrating or Balancing Facial for the lady and a Purifying back treatment for the gentleman.   After your treatments you can take some time to relax with sundowners on the patio whilst watching the sun set.

This evening you will enjoy a choice of three course a-la-carte dinner as well as coffee from David’s restaurant again.  On your last morning, you will relax on the stoep with freshly brewed coffee, and then enjoy a breakfast menu with eggs of your choice, fresh fruits and a number of creative breakfast dishes served in the restaurant.  To make this awesome experience complete, you may choose your favorite Rosendal wine from the Rosendal Range to take home with you.

The Franschhoek Country House & Villas is a five star hotel in the heart of the Franschhoek valley, and is complimented by the well-known Monneaux Restaurant.  Situated on the outskirts of the Franschoek Village, it is a great base to indulge your tastes for fine wines and world-class cuisine.  The luxurious Villa Suites offer you opulence and space in a relaxed country setting. The spacious lounge includes comfortable seating arrangements, an in-room dining facility, mini-bar, entertainment system with satellite TV, fireplace, air-conditioned, DVD player and music throughout the suite.  The separate bedroom is luxuriously appointed with all the expected amenities and facilities, lush duvets, quality percale linen and a choice of pillows to make you feel at home.

The Monneaux Restaurant serves an inspired contemporary take on classic dishes.  Lunch is enjoyed on the fountain terrace under a spreading pepper tree while dinner is enjoyed in the elegant but relaxed dinning room in the original manor house.  You can pamper yourself with a range of treatments including massages, reflexology, facials, manicures, pedicures and signature treatments.  This is the perfect way to relax and unwind.  The qualified and very professional staff all look forward to spoiling you at the welcoming and intimate treatment room.

We are delighted to offer a Two Night Villa Suite Dinner & Spa Package at The Franschhoek Country House & Villas.  This package for two includes your stay in the luxurious Villa Suite, with a three-course dinner on one of the evenings and a generous R500 Spa voucher per couple.  This special is valid from 5 November to 20 December 2012 and again 3 to 31 January 2013.  Contact us at Road Travel to book your pamper package in Franschhoek today!

Winter Warmer Special Combo Offer

Winter months in South Africa is always exciting, with some cold weather but the most amazing sunny days appear every so often for good measure.  At Road Travel Africa we know that this is the time when some incredible specials are made available from some of our top suppliers, like the one I’m about to share with you now.

The Tintswalo Winter Warmer Special Combo Offer from Only ZAR 12 670.00 includes 3 nights Safari and 2 nights Atlantic.  Atlantic includes full Bed and Breakfast, afternoon high tea, daily-guided walk through the “fynbos” and the Cape Mountain Reserve and all house drinks.  Safari includes Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, all house drinks, afternoon high tea, all game drives, game walks and transfers from Hoedspruit International Airport.

Tintswalo is an exclusive safari lodge situated in the Manyeleti Game Reserve, within the Greater Kruger National Park.  The Manyeleti is a pristine wilderness reserve which opens in the east to the vastness of the Kruger Park, abounding in big five game and spectacular birdlife.  The reserve is unique for its minimal vehicle density and so offering a true exclusive safari experience.  Tintswalo Safari lodge is situated along a seasonal riverbed among an ancient sycamore tree grove.

The exquisitely appointed main lodge overlooks a waterhole often frequented by a large herd of elephant and other big game.  The Explorer Suites are all linked to the main lodge by raised wooden walkways.  Manyeleti in the local Shangaan language means Place of Stars, while Tintswalo in the Shangaan language means the intangible feeling of love, gratitude and peace that you bestow upon someone who has given you a meaningful and worthy gift. This is what you will experience.

The wizardry of dining al fresco with a fusion of the unique tastes and spices of Africa is a challenge readily accepted by the chefs. Enjoy unique dining venues, and expect an adventure.  Tintswalo’s chefs are trained in both South African and international cooking styles.  Plated meals are served in sophisticated dining areas, including the romantic cellar and under the star scape of the African night sky.

After a long day’s exploration in the bush, moments of supreme relaxation, inner peace and rejuvenation of one’s spirituality are a must.  The Elan Vitál spa specializes in hands-on treatment for both men and women utilizing concentrated plant-based Elemis products to stimulate all your senses. Tintswalo’s schedule is infinitely flexible.  The day’s activities are planned around you, the guest.  A typical day would start with an early morning game drive and perhaps a picnic breakfast.  Followed by an al fresco lunch on the main lodge deck and afternoon leisure time to allow for a relaxing spa treatment.  The evening drive continues into the night, complete with Tintswalo’s unique and spectacular sundowner experience, and your day is rounded by a crystal candlelit dinner.

Positioned at the base of Chapman’s Peak, Tintswalo Atlantic overlooks the quaint fishing village of Hout Bay.  Nestled between the boulders of the Atlantic Ocean’s water’s edge and the slopes of the Cape Mountain Fynbos Reserve, known worldwide for its extraordinary rich and diverse fauna and flora.  Here you get absolute seclusion and relaxation, with the ocean literally a stone’s throw away from the pebbled beach.

The Tintswalo Atlantic suites are authentically decorated to emulate the experiences and colors of various well-known islands of the world.  The air-conditioned suites are quite literally situated on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean.  Each room has its own unique view of the ocean and the majestic Sentinel across the bay.  Spacious en-suite bathroom, all with his and her basins as well as showers also enjoy an uninterrupted marine view.  Every suite has an extra length double or twin bed, en-suite bathroom, air conditioners, and small private deck.  The suites are generous, comfortable and private, and you can watch whales from your bed at certain times of the year.  Stylish yet understated, Tintswalo Atlantic offers home-away-from-home comforts, discreet service and excellent cuisine in a beautiful setting.

If you’re a foodie then you’ll be delighted by the interactive kitchen which gives you the opportunity to chat to the executive chef as she goes about her daily work creating imaginative, beautiful and mouth wateringly delicious dishes.  By prior arrangement you can even join in and try your hand at creating a new dish.

Tintswalo Atlantic’s daily guest activities can be arranged through Road Travel Africa.  The friendly and helpful staff will go the extra mile to make sure you have an unforgettable Cape Town holiday.  Tintswalo Atlantic’s ideal location allows for many exciting things to do in and around Cape Town.  From exploring the Mother City, climbing Table Mountain,, sunbathing at some of the country’s most beautiful beaches or a romantic picnic while you watch the whales.  We will make sure your stay at Tintswalo Atlantic will be anything but average.  So give Road Travel Africa a call or send us an email to make use of this very special offer.  This offer is available until the 31^st of August 2012.  We do of course offer great add on specials, like a few days in the Cape Winelands, a visit to Victoria Falls – the options are endless!

Great Kruger Park Bush Special

Escape to the South African Bush with Road Travel. Stay for 3 Nights and Pay for Only 2. This wonderful offer is valid from 1 – 15 December 2011 and 9 – 31 January 2012 at Idube and Lukimbi.  Idube is a safari lodge situated in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve, in the heart of South Africa’s premier wildlife conservation area of the Greater Kruger Park. Game, including the Big 5, is viewed really close by from open Landrovers, or spotted on guided walks.  All the experienced rangers and trackers are trained to give guests the best possible wildlife experience.

The lodge has ten comfortable chalets, set amongst green lawns and shady trees. In between drives, guests can enjoy the pool and bird watch, or relax on their private decks and watch the warthogs and the nyala families on the lawn.  The lodge is set in an indigenous garden of tall trees and cool, green lawns watered only with recycled water.  Originally designed to blend into the bush with rough, natural coloured bricks, plastered walls round the outside showers have been added creating a pleasing contrast.  Tiled roofs create a clean, cool interior.  The thatched bar and entertainment areas have an immediate appeal and are the focal areas for guests to gather.  The open lounge is a great place to relax, whilst waiting to see what animals will come wandering in front of the lodge.

The swimming pool is well situated for both bird watching and game viewing, whilst cooling off with a refreshing drink in hand.  Idube happily hosts families of nyala and warthogs, which are seen almost daily around the entire lodge area.  Many guests prefer just to sit on their private deck enjoying the quiet and watching squirrels, monkeys or the many other creatures that have made Idube their home.

Lukimbi Safari Lodge is a stunning luxury safari lodge situated in the easily accessible southern portion of the Kruger National Park. Kruger is home to the Big Five and a wide variety of other animals and birds, which roam freely in their natural habitat.  Game drives with informative Rangers, are done on private roads in open Landrovers. Alternatively, guests can take guided walks or relax in the magnificent lodge, it all happens on over 37,000 acres (15,000 hectares) of exclusive use prime game and wilderness area.

Sixteen spacious suites combine luxury and modern African decor with private decks and river views.  The Giant Eagle Owl and King Cheetah suites each include a private pool and second bathroom.

Game Drives go out in the early morning and late afternoons in open Landrovers.  The Guides love to share their extensive knowledge, and work closely with our Shangaan trackers to get the best sightings.  There is great communication between the two and the Trackers are encouraged to share their knowledge of local uses of herbs and trees, animals and birds.  You can follow the Big 5 off road in careful, controlled circumstances, this is an experience few guests would like to miss.  Guests are able to get really close to the animals and experience truly fantastic photographic opportunities.  Early mornings start off a little cold, but a stop is made later for warming drinks, or cold ones, if preferred.  A highlight of late afternoon drives is the time spent at sundowner time.  This is the moment to appreciate the magnificence of an African sunset, whilst sipping sundowner drinks.

Lukimbi is the place to enjoy wonderful walks, because it is so large and unspoiled.  It is quite a different experience to see animals on foot and always very exciting.  The walks offer the opportunity to look at and learn about the smaller things and just to appreciate the special smell of the African bush, listening to the calls of the many species of birds.  Walks are generally taken after breakfast and guests are always accompanied by an armed Ranger.  Contact us at Road Travel today to book your Great Bush Special.