This week, we discover the wonderful intrigue of winter travel in South Africa. Top Billing presenter Jo-Ann Strauss starts her winter holiday at Tintswalo Atlantic, a hotel that requires a special shuttle to take you from the parking lot to the hotel at the water's edge.
She meets the hotel manager Melissa du Rand who speaks about the hotel's uniqueness (it's position in a nature reserve, and the fact that the whole hotel is built on stilts), before she shows Jo-Ann some of the stunning rooms (each uniquely decorated in island themes - including one that pays tribute to former statesman Nelson Mandela). She joins chef Johan Lamprecht and together they prepare a warming bouillabaisse using local fish - the ideal dish for a chilly day.
Before leaving the hotel she meets with owner Lisa Goosen, who shares the story of how the location was 'secured' and together they follow the ritual tradition of throwing a 'wishing stone' into the sea. Jo-Ann then ventures forth by joining Paul Barker of Cape Sidecar Adventures in a ride along Chapman s Peak drive in a vintage Chinese military sidecar - which offers quite an unusual perspective. She ends her day with a taste of freshly brewed gluhwein, prepared by winemaker Duncan Savage at the wine-tasting room of Cape Point Vineyards.
Winter truly never tasted so good!
To book your own winter holiday at Tintswalo Atlantic contact www.suretravel.co.za
