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dk villas’ Favourite Cape Town Restaurants

Posted on by dkvillas

Cape Town is bursting at the seams with so many restaurants, cafés, bistros, and bars that you can eat at a different establishment every night of the year and still not get through them all. The city centre itself is densely packed with all manner of eateries, from high end, fine dining restaurants to quirky takeaway joints. Choosing a place to eat for visitors unfamiliar to this culinary landscape can therefore be quite daunting. Over the years, however, we have cultivated a deep love for a handful of very special restaurants and so we thought we’d share our recommendations with you. Here they are….

BOCCA, Cape Town City Centre

www.bocca.co.za

BOCCA is an urban Italian restaurant located on Bree Street, and a strikingly colourful and vibrant space run by extraordinary couple, Chef Guido and Adnana Brambilla. The restaurant serves honest and authentic Italian food, inspired and made with love. Think yellowfin tuna carpaccio, robust and earthy Neapolitan style wood fired pizza, Venetian style seafood ragu, and tiramisu, which is so good it beggars belief. Every dish on the menu means something to the husband-and-wife team; and if you ask, they will tell you the (often romantic) story behind each one.

Address: The Block, corner of Bree and Wale Streets, Cape Town City Centre

Cape Point Vineyards Restaurant

www.cpv.co.za

Located on the rugged, Fynbos-carpeted peninsula with sweeping views of Noordhoek beach, the award-winning Cape Point Vineyards is one of our favourite regular destinations. The food here is prepared with great thought and attention to detail, and using only the freshest ingredients. The resultant delicious dishes pair beautifully with the estate’s Sauvignon Blanc driven wines. Cape Point Vineyards is also an immensely popular spot for picnics, which can be pre-ordered from the restaurant and enjoyed on the lawns overlooking the estate’s dramatic ocean views.

Address: Cape Point Vineyards, Silvermine Road, Noordhoek

Cowboys and Cooks, De Waterkant

www.cowboysandcooks.com

Acclaimed restaurateurs and entrepreneurs Stuart Bailey (of Hussar Grill) and Michael Townsend (of Harbour House Group) had always dreamed about opening a steakhouse. Thus, the Cowboys and Cooks restaurant was born. De Waterkant is the second branch of this fabulously sexy yet approachable steakhouse. The interiors are a blend of rustic country and sophisticated chic, while the menu delivers the usual meaty and seafood suspects but executed at an altitudinous calibre.

Address: 4 Liddle Street, De Waterkant, Cape Town

Fork, Cape Town City Centre

www.fork-restaurants.co.za

For Spanish tapas with a South African twist, look no further than this intimate, low-lit restaurant located in the heart of Cape Town’s hustle and bustle on Long Street. Fork serves up contemporary tapas, which is a seamless blend of traditional Spanish favourites and cheeky new interpretations. The spirit here is all about sharing small plates in an atmosphere that is informal, yet trendy. The food is sensational and reasonably priced, and the rustic, bare-brick interior incredibly romantic.

Address: 84 Long Street, Cape Town City Centre

Green Vine Eatery, Silvermine, Hout Bay

www.greenvineeatery.com

Nestled amongst the Longkloof Mountain Range and overlooking the Constantia Valley, you’ll find the gorgeous Silvermist Organic Wine Estate. Silvermist’s restaurant is called the Green Vine Eatery. The "Green Vine Experience" focuses on abundance and the freshest ingredients, which it delivers in a shabby-chic-meets-wine-farm setting with gorgeous views, raw wooden decks, rolling lawns, exposed wooden tables, and friendly, welcoming staff.

Address: Silvermist Wine Estate, Constantia Main Road

Il Leone Mastrantonio
www.mastrantonio.com/il-leone-mastrantonio/

Meaning “Master Anthony” in Italian, Il Leone Mastrantonio is one of several restaurants under the Mastrantonio Group umbrella. This Green Point based restaurant is popular for its excellent, authentic Italian food made from quality ingredients cooked to perfection. It also boasts a walk-in wine cellar (we love) and private dining room and bar. The atmosphere is sophisticated - so a night here feels quite exclusive and a real treat – yet there is also a friendly buzz and personality about it. The service is excellent to boot.

Address: Corner of Prestwich, 22 Cobern Street, Green Point

JÉAN, Klein Roosboom Winery, Durbanville

www.kleinroosboom.co.za

JÉAN is the brand new signature restaurant at the darling boutique winery of Klein Roosboom (“little rosebush”) in the Durbanville winelands. Named after the owner of the wine farm, the restaurant is contemporary with an eclectic, personality-riddled interior and affords diners beautiful views of vineyards. The delicious gastronomy is by Chef Lorianne Heyns, whose philosophy is simple: flavour is the priority. The menus change regularly with the season and whatever local, farm-fresh, and organic produce is available.

Address: Klein Roosboom Winery, Tygerberg Valley Road, Durbanville

The Potluck Club, Woodstock

www.thepotluckclub.co.za

Happily residing in the Valhalla of Cape Town’s gastronomy scene is a restaurant of such popularity that locals and visitors alike perennially line up, Monday to Sunday, to secure a booking. The Potluck Club (one of award-winning chef Luke Dale-Roberts’ restaurants) sprawls out on the sixth floor of the Silo at Woodstock’s artsy, industrial Old Biscuit Mill. From here, diners can enjoy views of the city bowl, harbour area, and Table Mountain. The Potluck Club’s menu, which encourages sharing, is divided into the five primary flavours: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and umami, each of which has its own selection of tapas-style dishes. Book well in advance!

Address: The Old Biscuit Mill, Woodstock Main Road

The Cousins Trattoria, Cape Town City Centre

www.thecousinsrestaurant.com

They call themselves “the best Italian restaurant in Cape Town”, which might be little biased but we’re inclined to agree because we absolutely love this little tucked-away gem. The Cousins Italian Trattoria serves up steaming authentic and truly delicious Italian fare in an intimate, rustic atmosphere. The pasta is made fresh every morning – as is the tiramisu - and is absolutely to die for: particularly the Cousins’ pasta, a glorious, mushroom-and-cream taglioni pasta that’s tossed right at your table in a halved wheel of Parmesan cheese, before being dished up. It doesn’t get any better than that!

Address: 3b Barrack Street, Cape Town City Centre

Willoughby & Co, V & A Waterfront

www.willoughbyandco.co.za

Located in the vibrant and cosmopolitan V & A Waterfront mall, Willoughby & Co. is one of Cape Town’s original sushi establishments. This sprawling seafood restaurant offers an extensive menu and impeccably crafted sushi by experienced Japanese chefs. There’s also a delightful wine boutique adjacent to Willoughby & Co. so you can do a wine tasting or have a glass of wine while you wait for a table on busier days (they don’t take bookings). The restaurant has seated tables and seating at the sushi bar where you can watch the chefs at work.

Address: Shop 6132, V & A Waterfront

dk villas triumphs on Booking.com’s Traveller Review Awards 2020!

Posted on by dkvillas

What a way to kick off the New Year and new decade – dk villas’ two properties in Hout Bay have triumphed on Booking.com’s annual Traveller Review Awards 2020!

dk villas’ luxurious self-catering apartment at Harbour View achieved a stratospheric 9.9 out of 10.

This three-bedroom, two-bathroom masterpiece offers guests a seamless blend of luxury furnishings, high-end electronics and appliances, gorgeous views, and home-style convenience. It has a generous and fully kitted out modern kitchen and state-of-the-art appliances such as SMEG washing machine, tumble dryer, and dishwasher. The bedrooms are the epitome of oases with their soft colour palettes, natural textures, Egyptian cotton bedding, and designer room fragrances and a stylish open-plan lounge and dining area seating eight guests features a sophisticated entertainment system, large TV (DSTV), and free Wi-Fi. dk villas Harbour View property has 24-hour camera security, electric fencing, and a secure undercover parking bay and is conveniently located a stone’s throw from Hout Bay’s beach, shopping, restaurants, and bars.

Located on the opposite side of the valley, our trendy, modern, fully furnished and spacious self-catering apartment at The Boardwalk scored 9.8 out of 10.

There isn’t a modern amenity or luxury that isn’t represented in this trendy two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment, with all furnishings, appliances, and electronics being sourced from high-end manufacturers. The comfortable lounge area has a large television (DSTV package included), there is a generous dining seating six people, a fully equipped kitchen complete with SMEG appliances, and free Wi-Fi throughout. dk villas The Boardwalk property also features safe basement parking, two bathrooms, and two bedrooms with built-in cupboards, block-out curtains and blinds, and luxuriously comfy beds dressed in Egyptian cotton. While the property is self-catering, we ensure that guests have everything they need to enjoy their stay, from high quality towels and designer toiletries (soap, cream, shampoo) to milk, tea and coffee, and even a bottle of bubbly!

We are just so pleased that all of the thought, effort, and heart we pour into our Hout Bay properties are appreciated by our guests who have found us on Booking.com.

What is the Traveller Review Awards all about?

The Booking.com Traveller Review Awards is an annual appreciation programme that recognises partners for their exceptional hospitality, as evidenced in the review scores left by travellers after their stay or experience. The 2020 edition review score is based on the average score of all guest reviews published on the Booking.com website and app between 30th October 2017 and 30th October 2019. Not only did dk villas’ two Hout Bay properties make the Traveller Review Awards list for 2020 but we absolutely knocked it out of the park with a scoring not even we could have anticipated: 9.8 and 9.9 out of 10.

What is Booking.com?

Booking.com is a travel fare aggregator website and search engine for accommodation reservations at a vast spectrum of properties all over the world, from hotels, guesthouses, and villas to hostels, backpackers, and bed-and-breakfasts. Headquartered in Amsterdam, Booking.com is a trusted booking platform with over 2,598,000 hotels worldwide, of which dk villas is the loving owner and operator of three.

The site enables users to get honest information about potential accommodations in the city they intend to visit (through descriptions, amenity details, guest reviews, and photographs). Once they have made their choice, they can book through the platform with absolutely no booking fees and 24/7 customer service. It’s quick, simple, and secure for travellers to use, and is convenient and has a wide reach for hospitality establishments such as dk villas.

To all our guests who stayed with us and rated us so highly: a heartfelt thank you from the dk villas team!

Discover the World of Fire and Light with dk villas’ Complimentary Visit to the Shimansky Diamond Museum

Posted on by dkvillas

It’s evident from the way each of dk villas’ self-catering guesthouses is styled, outfitted, and put together that husband-and-wife team Johann and Petra de Kock have a highly discerning taste for the finer things in life. It therefore comes as little surprise that the duo has teamed up with well-known South African diamond jeweller, Shimansky. Every guest who stays at dk villas receives a complimentary ticket to Shimansky’s Diamond Museum at the V&A Waterfront. It’s a real eye-opening experience considering our country’s natural wealth in diamonds has been the progenitor of some of the planet’s most famous and expensive pieces of jewellery, as well as romantic novels, blockbuster movies, and even bloody wars.

Here’s what you can expect from a visit to, and tour of this fascinating museum and working diamond jewellery workshop, the only of its kind in Cape Town and a non-profit organisation dedicated to educating and creating an appreciation for the world’s oldest and most beautiful gem!

Experience the Cape Town Diamond Museum

The Cape Town Diamond Museum is located in the Clock Tower Precinct in the iconic Victoria & Alfred Waterfront in the Cape Town harbour. Here, the Shimansky Diamond Experience takes guests on a thrilling tour that gives you a privileged peak under the skirts of the diamond jewellery world, from how these gemstones are valued and graded to cut, polished, and turned into exquisite statement pieces. The glittering, kalaeidescopic Shimansky showroom displays a coruscating array of loose diamonds in different cuts and sizes so you see how they are transformed from uncut and unpolished globules of crystalline carbon to glittering gemstones.

Some of the cuts are traditional, which you might recognise from the song “diamonds are a girl’s best friend” (square-cut and pear-shaped), while others have been patented by Shimansky and so are available nowhere else on Earth. In fact, there are more than five Shimansky internationally patented diamond cuts, the most famous of which are the ‘My Girl Diamond’ and the ‘Brilliant 10 Diamond’. During your tour, you’ll learn about the unique and beautiful facets of these diamond cuts and why it is they’re so exceptional.

Explore the history of the South African diamond rush and where it all began

All too often, diamonds are smuggled out of mines and sold on the black market. The conflict that arises from this illegal trade is the source of much bloodshed in Africa; hence, the term “blood diamonds”. Shimansky, however, sources its diamonds directly from South African mines and so are conflict-free. Independent international diamond laboratories such as the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) or the European Gemological Laboratory (EGL) grade the gemstones, which are then given their very own Certificate of Authenticity.

The importance of all of this is to ensure that Shimansky’s diamonds are legally sourced and in a way that does not stoke the fires of war in our country and on our continent. This is just one aspect of South African diamond history you’ll discover during your tour of the Cape Town Diamond Museum. You’ll also hear about the discovery of diamonds in Kimberley (pictured above), the great names in diamond history, such as Cecil John Rhodes and the Oppenheimer family, and how South Africa became one of the world’s top diamond producing countries.

This history is brought to life through life-sized exhibits of some of the world’s most famous, record-breaking diamonds – replicas, mind you!

Discover how rough diamonds are transformed into creations of fire and light

All of Shimansky’s gorgeous creations are cut and polished in the on-site factory and workshop, which you’ll get to explore during your Shimansky Diamond Experience. Transforming crystalline carbon into a gemstone that optimally refracts every colour of the rainbow and explodes into fire and light is a precise science and requires many years of experience in order to master. Visitors will be able to watch first hand how Shimansky’s artisans cut and polish diamonds in the workshop.

Book your Diamond Experience Tour

The Diamond Experience Tour at Shimansky’s museum is an engaging and enchanting add-on to any tour itinerary in Cape Town. Also, it’s one that is immune to the weather, which can’t be discounted in a place with weather as schizophrenic as ours! And with the Cape Town Diamond Museum’s location right across the drawbridge from the spectacular and fabulously entertaining V&A Waterfront, you can make a day of your visit by going for a walk-about, a trip to Robben Island, and lunch or dinner afterwards. Simply bring along your complimentary ticket courtesy of dk villas and let the world of fire and light unfurl before your eyes!

To book your Diamond Experience Tour at Shimansky, contact +27 (0) 21 421 2488 or email diamondtour@shimansky.com. Independent and group bookings are welcome, and complimentary transfers can be arranged upon request. The tour operates seven days a week, from 09:00 to 21:00. The duration of the tour is approximately 45 minutes. For more information, check out the website at www.shimansky.co.za


Level 1, Clock Tower, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town

Paint the Town Red!

Posted on by dkvillas

dk villas Favourite Theatres for Entertainment in Cape Town

Visitors to our fair shores – and to dk villas’ three beautiful properties in and around Cape Town – often ask us about recommendations for entertainment, to which we say: “how much time have you got?” The truth is, Cape Town is literally bursting at the seams with thrilling entertainment, vibrant nightlife, and theatrical shows so visitors are spoiled for choice. Here, however, are our favourite Cape Town theatres for a good night’s entertainment....

Gate69

www.gate69.co.za

Raunchy and absolutely fabulous, Gate69 is lauded as South Africa’s premier cabaret theatre, where burlesque and The Birdcage clash in flamboyant style. Guests sit down to a three-course meal while being served and entertained by out-of-this-world characters dressed to the nines in drag. Your hostess (“with the mostest”) is busty, seven-foot tall platinum blonde bombshell, Cathy Specific, who plays flight attendant to the evening’s proceeding. It’s one heck of an irreverent and hilarious ride that will send you home with cheeks and abdominal muscles aching from laughing.
Location: 87 Bree Street, Cape Town City Centre

Fugard Theatre

www.thefugard.com

Located in the historic District Six in the heart of Cape Town, the Fugard Theatre is one of the Mother City’s best-loved theatres for its intimate setting and celebrated local and international shows. The Fugard, named after famous South African playwright Athol Fugard, is both a theatre and a bioscope and has seen some outrageous shows pass through its curtains, including The Rocky Horror Picture Show and, currently Kinky Boots, which is running until 2nd February 2020.
Location: Corner of Caledon & Buitenkant Street, District Six, Zonnebloem

The Labia Theatre

www.thelabia.co.za

If you’re a lover of cinema - and particularly thought-provoking, artistic cinema and ‘film noir’ - then you’ve got to experience the Labia Theatre on Orange Street in downtown Cape Town. Having just celebrated its 70th birthday anniversary, the Labia is one of the oldest independent movie theatres in the city. The films shown here are carefully selected to appeal to the Labia’s loyal following of Cape Town locals and are typically independent movies, foreign films, historical cinema and other alternative and art circuit films. The theatre itself is charming in its graceful “ancientness” and you can even take a glass of wine with you into the cinema.
Location: 68 Orange Street, Gardens, Cape Town

If you’re a lover of cinema - and particularly thought-provoking, artistic cinema and ‘film noir’ - then you’ve got to experience the Labia Theatre on Orange Street in downtown Cape Town. Having just celebrated its 70th birthday anniversary, the Labia is one of the oldest independent movie theatres in the city. The films shown here are carefully selected to appeal to the Labia’s loyal following of Cape Town locals and are typically independent movies, foreign films, historical cinema and other alternative and art circuit films. The theatre itself is charming in its graceful “ancientness” and you can even take a glass of wine with you into the cinema.
Location: 68 Orange Street, Gardens, Cape Town

Galileo Open Air Cinema

www.thegalileo.co.za

The Galileo Open Air Cinema is both an incredibly romantic experience and something the whole family will love. Every summer season, from Wednesday to Sunday night (and sometimes Tuesdays too), the Galileo Open Air Cinema sets up shop at a different venue around the Cape to screen a cult classic or modern blockbuster film under the gorgeous African night sky. Each guest is given a backrest and blanket, while vendors at the venue sell food, popcorn, hot beverages, beer, and even wine. Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Simonsvlei Winery in Stellenbosch, and Kelvin Grove in Newlands are just a handful of the venues and the movies are as varied as ‘Love Actually’ to ‘E.T. The Extra Terrestrial’.
Location: Click Here for more information on upcoming shows and venues.

Pieter Toerien’s Theatre on the Bay

www.pietertoerien.co.za

Located right across the road from the glittering Atlantic Ocean on Camps Bay’s beachfront is the glamorous and opulent Theatre on the Bay. Arrive early to spend a leisurely moment sipping on a flute of champagne or a glass of wine while the sun goes down, and then take your seat in the lavish theatre for a night of performance and entertainment by top South African and international talents. This is the experience that Theatre on the Bay delivers and it begins at the entrance with the theatre’s striking façade and continues right through until the curtain goes down. If you’re hungry, grab a nibble at the Sidedish Theatre Bistro and if you’re in the mood for a real special spoil, why not book yourself and your partner into the Bill Flynn VIP Room?
Location: Link Road, Camps Bay

Alexander Upstairs Theatre

www.alexanderbar.co.za/shows-upstairs/

Upstairs from Alexander Bar, a sexy, intimate, and somewhat vintage watering hole on Strand Street in downtown Cape Town, you’ll find this, well, sexy intimate, and somewhat vintage theatre! It’s a place carpeted with Persian threads, dressed with plush red sofas, and frequented by people wearing suspenders and moustaches. The theatre is an intimate performance space that is completely separate from the bar area and it’s here that raw and honest performances of drama, comedy, cabaret, jazz, acoustic sessions, and readings are delivered to an enraptured audience. Afterwards, you’d be doing yourself and all of humanity a disservice if you didn’t enjoy a drink or three in the beautiful vintage bar downstairs.
Location: 76 Strand Street, Cape Town City Centre

The Artscape Theatre

www.artscape.co.za

One can’t sing the praises of Cape Town’s beloved theatres without paying homage to the Artscape Theatre because in terms of scale and grandeur, it really is without peer. From ballet to rock concerts and Shakespeare reimagined to Disney on Ice, the Artscape’s four theatres are the home of spellbinding theatrical entertainment in Cape Town. And, of course, what is a night at the theatre without a little pre-show beverage? Naturally, there are plenty of bars throughout the theatre complex and a café if you can order food from, although our recommendation is to book an early dinner at one of Cape Town’s fabulous restaurants beforehand.
Location: D.F. Malan Street, Foreshore, Cape Town

And more….
There are other theatres and cinemas in Cape Town, such as the Kalk Bay Theatre, Baxter Theatre in Rondebosch, Maynardville Open Air Theatre in the Southern Suburbs, and Masque Theatre in Muizenberg. But those we have mentioned above are our tried-and-tested favourites. We suggest that you experience them all!

Exciting Ways to Explore the Cape this Holiday Season

Posted on by dkvillas

Here at dk villas, we love living like tourists in our own town and so we always recommend that our guests get out and do the same. So, whether you’re visiting Cape Town from another city in South Africa or from abroad – or are even just a local interested in exploring your own backyard – here are six exciting ways to experience the stunning, historic city of Cape Town and her surrounds!

Hop on the City Sightseeing bus

Okay, so it might sound a bit cliché but the “Hop-On, Hop-Off” bus truly is one of the best ways to gain a sweeping appreciation for all the best sites and spots the city has to offer. Who doesn’t love a ride in a London-style open top double-decker bus? Also, we’ve found it perfect for those days when you’re a little tired of walking around and would rather just admire Cape Town’s scenery and learn about its past without having to get up from your seat! There are a few ticket options to choose from, which take in 30 stops and over 50 of Cape Town’s top attractions. For more information, go to www.citysightseeing.co.za.

Rent an (electric) bicycle

Cycling through a town or city is a multi-sensory experience that leaves one with a lasting impression of its personality. In a car, you don’t get to smell the sun-baked kelp or roasting coffee; hear the crashing waves or street vendors yelling to each other; or feel the ocean air and sunshine on your face. A bicycle ride, whether you’re on a guided tour or just exploring the suburb in which you’re staying, is an enchanting way to get the full experience. Add to the equation a quality EU-certified electric Pedelec bicycle and you’ve got a thrilling day experience! To learn more about electric bicycle tours in Hout Bay, contact Cape Lion E-Rides at www.capelion.co.za.

Discover the Cape on the back of a Harley Davidson Motorbike

What do you get when you pair the multi-sensory enchantment of exploring a destination on two-wheeler transport with a Twin Cam 88B™ engine? Well, for one, a sure-fire way to turn the family and friends back home green with envy! With Harley Davidson Rental and Tours, you can rent a Harley Davidson motorcycle and cruise up and down the Cape’s most scenic routes. From full day tours of the Peninsula or Winelands to a week-long drive down Route 62, there is a great diversity of packages and motorcycles to choose from and you can learn more about those here: www.cuincapetown.co.za/pages/tour-information/.

Go hot air ballooning over the winelands

The experience offered by GoBallooning (www.goballooning.co.za) begins with a cup of hot coffee in at Klein Joostenberg Farm in Stellenbosch, while the team inflates the balloon. Then, climb aboard for a truly magical ride over the Cape farmlands with views that stretch for tens of kilometres in every direction. Sail silently through the air and listen as the early morning melody of the Cape farmlands reaches your ears. After landing in a local farmer’s field, you’ll be treated to a glass of sparkling wine and hot breakfast at Klein Joostenberg Bistro. Does it get any better than this?

Explore by foot with a walking tour

Few other modes of transport really allow explorers to tap into the heartbeat of a city quite like walking through its streets and interacting with its people. Nielsen Tours (www.nielsentours.co.za/capetown) offer walking tours of the Cape’s historic and cultural hearts, which take place every day and are completely free of charge. They depart twice daily from Greenmarket Square in the Cape Town city centre – look out for the green umbrella – taking you on two-hour walks through the town’s oldest streets or up into Bo-Kaap. Just show up a few minutes before and let the fun begin!

Take to the seas with Drumbeat Charters

Visitors to our Hout Bay properties are greatly encouraged to climb aboard a Drumbeat Charters boat (www.drumbeatcharters.co.za) to explore some of the oceanic gems this historic harbour has to offer. Take a short boat ride around the Sentinel Mountain and you’ll find a small outcrop of Peninsula rocks carpeted and cramped with Cape fur seals. These seal island cruises to Duiker Island depart daily from the harbour and take approximately 40 minutes.

Add a little world famous scenery to your boat trip with Drumbeat Charters’ hour-long harbour cruise of Duiker Island and Chapman’s Peak, a dramatic mountain range that’s home to one of the world’s most scenic (and, at times, hair-raising) drives. Alternatively, you can take a one-hour trip to Duiker Island, followed by the Atlantic border of Karbonkelberg, where you’ll find Maori Bay - a notorious graveyard for unlucky ships!

Berg River cruises

And if you’re staying at our Dwarskersbos property and are up for a boating adventure, check out Tollie’s Boat & River Cruises (https://www.facebook.com/TolliesRiverAndBoatCruises/), which depart morning and late afternoon from the Port Owen Slipway at the Riviera Hotel in Velddrif for a leisurely 1.5 hour cruise up the Berg River. The boat, captained by the amusing and informative Captain Tollie, accommodates 32 guests, is child friendly, and affords wonderful birdwatching opportunities, as well as spectacular sunset views!

Wet n’ Wild Water Sports on the Cape West Coast

Posted on by dkvillas
With its sheltered lagoons, broad expanses of beach, rich marine life, and sometimes tireless, yet prime wind conditions, the Cape West Coast boasts some of the country’s finest real estate for water sports. From wind surfing, kite surfing, and sailing to stand-up paddling and kayaking, here are some exhilarating water sports and activities to engage in on a visit up the Cape West Coast!

Windsurfing

The Langebaan Lagoon on the Cape West Coast is a favourite amongst water sport enthusiasts, owing to its almost year-round perfect windsurfing conditions. Being sheltered from the larger waves of the open ocean, yet still with great wind exposure, the lagoon offers ideal learning conditions, as well as high speed flat water blasting. It’s little wonder this slice of heaven has become internationally recognised as one of the top board sailing venues in the world!

Contact: Cape Sports Centre Langebaan at +27 (0) 22 772 1114 | www.capesports.co.za

Sea Kayaking

Sea Kayaking is another vastly popular water sport on the Cape West Coast, and particularly in the tranquil Langebaan Lagoon, where you can explore the natural splendour of the West Coast National Park without the notoriously rambunctious surf of the open Atlantic. Kayaking excursions are conducted at a comfortable pace by an experienced guide, who can reveal the secrets and wonders of the local fauna and flora, both of the land and of the sea.

Contact: Gravity Adventures at +27 (0) 21 683-3698 | www.gravity.co.za

Go Sailing in a Hobie Cat (Catamaran)

Hobie Cats, also known as Catamarans, are compact, high performance sailing boats that are launched from the beach straight into the ocean waves for a super fast sailing adventure. They only require one captain or crew to handle and, being an intense speed expedition, deliver a total rush to those aboard! You’ll be suspended in a trapeze harness from a cable attached to the high point of the sailing mast, whilst using your feet to anchor yourself to the boat. Charters can be scheduled in a 16-ft (one passenger, one skipper) or 18-ft (one skipper, two passengers) vessel.

Contact: Cape Sports Centre Langebaan at +27 (0) 22 772 1114 | www.capesports.co.za

Kite surfing on the Cape West Coast

When you watch those guys and girls on their surfboards take to the skies, don’t you too wish you could fly? Kite surfing has become an increasingly popular water sports along the Cape Coast, thanks to our summertime wind conditions (frustrating for beachgoers; a blessing to water sports enthusiasts). Based in Langebaan and Blouberg, Constantly Kiting offers kite surfing lessons tailored to teach those who are brand new to the sport, or to add to the expertise and trickster repertoire of more experienced kite surfers.

Contact: Constantly Kiting at +27 (0) 73 071 3878 | www.constantlykiting.com

Stand Up Paddle (SUP) Boarding

Constantly Kiting also offers training sessions for Stand Up Paddle (SUP) Boarding, which is not only an excellent sport for whole body fitness (even though it seems pretty leisurely) but is also one of the best and most scenic ways to explore the Cape West Coast coastline. SUP is super easy to learn, which eliminates the frustration involved in trying to participate in some of the tougher water sport; is an option for people of all fitness levels and ages; and can be done on the open ocean, the quieter Langebaan lagoon, or on rivers. It’s just an engaging and fun water sport for the whole family!

Contact: Constantly Kiting at +27 (0) 73 071 3878 | www.constantlykiting.com

Private Chartered Sailing Tours

If you prefer to stay dry while enjoying some of the best vantage points on the Cape West Coast, a private chartered tour is the perfect water activity for you and your family and/or friends. Operating from the Club Mykonos Marina in Langebaan, Elite Charters offers private yacht and Catamaran charters around the Langebaan Lagoon and the West Coast Nature Reserve, although different tours are available and special excursions and activities can be arranged. The Catamaran is 39 feet long, can accommodate 40 guests, and comes equipped with braai facilities, a bar, and catering services. Party anyone?

Contact: Elite Charters at +27 (0) 76 397-8351 | www.elitecharters.co.za

WetBike Tours

Elite Charters also rents out WetBikes, which are quite possibly the most fun you can have travelling on the ocean’s surface. A WetBike is a planing water motorcycle that is often described as cross between a motorcycle and a jet ski. The tour follows a 10 km route from Elite Charter’s jetty at the Club Mykonos Marina towards Schaapen Island and back again. The tours are weather dependent and do require all participants to be able to swim and to wear life jackets, but that’s hardly an imposition when you’re rocketing along the ocean surface with the fresh wind and sea spray in your face!

Contact: Elite Charters at +27 (0) 76 397-8351 | www.elitecharters.co.za

The Best Places to go Christmas Shopping in Hout Bay

Posted on by dkvillas

Tis the season to be stressed out because you’ve left your Christmas shopping to the last second and now you have no idea what you’re going to get anyone and the kids are starting to sweat because the tree is looking decidedly empty and…and…and…

Okay, relax. Breathe. We’ve got you. Hout Bay is a visitor’s paradise for so many more reasons than just the food, the views, and the harbour. It’s also prime Christmas shopping territory so give the family’s finance minister a pep talk because the credit card’s coming out to play! Here are some fabulous Hout Bay gift shops, markets, and ideas for this year’s Silly Season.

Original T Bag Designs

www.tbagdesigns.co.za

It might sound a little kooky, but Original T Bag Designs craft one-of-a-kind products using recycled tea bags, which they sell as works of art. The tea bags are dried, emptied, ironed, and then painted with each artist having his or her individual style. No two pieces are identical. These miniature works of art are then applied to stationary, wooden trays, coasters, fabric items, wall décor, and more, which make for stunning, unique little Christmas gifts. Additionally, your support provides empowerment, financial security, and hope to previously disadvantaged people.

Address: 144 Main Road, Imizamo Yethu, Hout Bay

Bay Harbour Market

www.bayharbour.co.za

The Bay Harbour Market has practically achieved legendary status with its popularity amongst tourists and locals. It’s the place to be on Friday evening (17:00 to 21:00) and Saturday and Sunday (09:30 to 16:00). But in addition to all the multi-cultural food stalls, delicious and creative beverages, and live music on offer, there is also an extensive marketplace, which is packed to the gills with artisans selling arts and crafts, fashion and clothing, jewellery and accessory, and unique handmade items of practically every description. So eclectic and diverse are the Bay Harbour Market’s wares that you could quite literally shop for your entire extended family in a single day, and then celebrate with an ice-cold bevvy!

Address: 31 Harbour Road, Hout Bay

Mainstream Mall

www.mainstreammall.co.za

If it’s variety you’re after, you also can’t go wrong with Mainstream Mall, which, for a shopping mall, is actually a very beautiful place to meander about. With open sky, covered walkways, and manicured gardens leading visitors from one store to the next, Mainstream is anything but, well, mainstream. There is the usual collection of retail brands here (Pick n’ Pay, CAN, Woolworths, Clicks, etc.) but there are also a number of intriguing designer, boutique shops that are perfect for Christmas shopping. Star Dot Toys is your port of call for kids; The Bay Bookshop for book worms; Brand Collective for the seasons latest threads; Sorbet for pamper products; Nap for all things ‘home and décor’; and so much more.

Address: Corner of Princess Street and Main Road, Hout Bay

Red Room Gallery

www.redroom.gallery

If it’s variety you’re after, you also can’t go wrong with Mainstream Mall, which, for a shopping mall, is actually a very beautiful place to meander about. With open sky, covered walkways, and manicured gardens leading visitors from one store to the next, Mainstream is anything but, well, mainstream. There is the usual collection of retail brands here (Pick n’ Pay, CAN, Woolworths, Clicks, etc.) but there are also a number of intriguing designer, boutique shops that are perfect for Christmas shopping. Star Dot Toys is your port of call for kids; The Bay Bookshop for book worms; Brand Collective for the seasons latest threads; Sorbet for pamper products; Nap for all things ‘home and décor’; and so much more.

Address: Corner of Princess Street and Main Road, Hout Bay

Clay Café

www.claycafe.co.za

A gift from Clay Café is the gift of quality time and discovering the joys of artistic expression and creation. So for something a little different and wholly memorable, how about bringing the little ones to the Clay Café to spend the day hand making and painting your very own clay creation? Here, you’re given unfired bisque and colourful paints to create your own masterpieces, and once done with the painting, you can explore the garden and let the little ones enjoy playground, while you relax with a cup of tea and a bite to eat from the café. Once complete, your creation will take around three and a half weeks to be fired and glazed before you can take it home with you.

Address: 177 Main Road. Opposite Bokkemanskloof Estate, Hout Bay

Rockchic Crystal Shop

www.rockchic.co.za

Rockchic Crystal Shop specializes in gemstone jewellery and beads, as well as all the accessories necessary to make your own, if you want. Using these materials, Rockchic crafts high quality, individually designed, hand-made gemstone jewellery that incorporates the chakras and esoteric symbols like sterling silver Buddha, hill tribe silver, the tree of life, ohm signs, flowers, angel wings, rudraksha and sandalwood beads, mala tassels, and more. In other words, it’s the perfect gift shop for those among us who are enchanted by what lies beyond the veil.

Address: 35 Main Road, Hout Bay

Earthworx Garden World

www.earthworx.org

One of humankind’s biggest problems nowadays is that we just don’t spend much time in nature anymore, and yet it has such a potent restorative effect on us. A beautiful flowering plant, potted herbs, or garden accessory, therefore, makes for a wonderful (albeit unusual) gift. A room can be utterly transformed both visually and in terms of ambiance with the introduction of a colourful flowering plant or a verdant explosion of fern. You might not be able to present it in Christmas wrapping but a decorative bow will do the trick. There’s also a gift shop and an enchanted garden to explore.

Address: 6 Valley Road, corner of Valley and Victoria Roads, Hout Bay

Hout Bay Restaurants (and Surrounds) Throwing Epic Christmas Lunches

Posted on by dkvillas

If the thought of juggling three different meat dishes, mountains of dishes, and you and your partner’s entire extended family in a single dining room makes you want to crack open the wine before 10am, how about doing things a little different this year? There are plenty of restaurants in Hout Bay (and even more within a 20-minutes’ drive of “the 790”) that are throwing epic festive feasts on Christmas Day. These feature plenty of bubbly and wine, all the traditional Christmas favourite foods (with some twists), and absolutely zero effort on your behalf. So, if you’re staying in Hout Bay this festive season, here are some fabulous Christmas lunches you may want to book you and your family a seat at….

P.S. Book quickly because seats are limited!

12 Apostles Hotel & Spa, Oudekraal

+27 (0) 21 437 9029 | www.12apostleshotel.com

You’ll be spoilt for choice on Christmas Day as each of The Twelve Apostles’ superb dining venues – the Azure Restaurant and Atlantic Terrace Marquee - hosts a gourmet Christmas lunch with all the trimmings. Expect a mouth-watering three-course buffet menu and a welcome drink on arrival, all of which is complimented by breath-taking views over the Atlantic Ocean. The cost per person is R1550 at Azure Restaurant or R1350 at the Atlantic Marquee, and includes a welcome drink on arrival. Lunch at both restaurants starts at 13:00.

Barristers Grill & Café, Newlands

+27 (0) 21 671 7907 | www.barristersgrill.co.za

Barristers Grill has always been a favourite meeting spot in the Southern Suburbs and is one of the grand old restaurants of Cape Town. Situated in the heart of Newlands Village, they continue to provide warmth, friendship, and good cheer. Now, they have just released their Christmas lunch menu and it’s a doozy! For only R395 per person, guests can enjoy five-courses of indulgent dishes from sherry mushroom soup and Barristers’ famous steaks to cheesecake, ice-cream and Barristers’ chocolate sauce (vegetarian alternatives available). Check out Barristers’ full Christmas Lunch Menu here.

Blanko at The Alphen Boutique Hotel, Constantia

+27 (0) 21 795 6313 | www.blanko.co.za

Celebrate Christmas at Blanko in the iconic Alphen Boutique Hotel in Constantia with a family-style Christmas set menu, priced at R1050 per person. Think: apple and apricot glazed gammon, roast turkey, wild mushroom ravioli, herb crusted kingklip, roast leg of lamb, panna cotta, friandise, and so much more! The Trio Jazz Band will be providing live entertainment from 12:30 to 15:30. For the full scoop, check out Blanko’s Christmas Menu.

The Cellars-Hohenort Hotel, Constantia

+27 (0) 21 795 6226 | www.thecellars-hohenorthotel.com

Bring the entire family for a festive Christmas Day lunch at The Cellars-Hohenort Hotel in Constantia. In this beautiful and charming location, guests will be served a steady stream of mouth watering dishes with family-style sides for the table, creating a home-away-from-home Christmas feeling. The cost per person is R995 and includes a welcome drink and Christmas crackers. Kids eat for half-price and there are vegetarian options available on request. Lunch starts at 12:30. View the Cellars-Hohenort’s Christmas menu.

Eat Restaurant at the Hout Bay Manor, Hout Bay

+27 (0) 21 790 0116 | www.houtbaymanor.com

An old world with new flavours, the Hout Bay Manor’s whimsical venue is home to Eat Restaurant, which will be hosting a Christmas lunch feast. Leave the stress of the season behind with a welcome drink on arrival and indulge in festive treats such as bacon wrapped pork loin with cranberries, lamb shank, Drunken Christmas pudding, Hout Bay Manor’s Christmas Trifle, and more. The three-course menu costs R475 per adult and R235 per child under 12. For more details on what to expect, you can view the Hout Bay Manor’s Christmas Lunch menu.

Jonkershuis Restaurant, Groot Constantia

+27 (0) 21 794 6255 | www.jonkershuisconstantia.co.za

Jonkershuis Restaurant is a relaxed eatery located in the heart of the 330-year-old Groot Constantia Wine Estate. Serving a menu with a unique Cape Malay influence in an enchanting, converted historic home, with enormous oak trees and expansive lawns for kids to play on, Jonkershuis is a perfect choice for families. This Christmas, they’re serving up a four-course set lunch with highlights such as rib-eye steak, smoked pork belly, and roast chicken. There are also vegetarian and kids’ menus. Check out Jonkershuis Restaurant’s Christmas Menu here.

La Belle Bistro & Bakery, Constantia

+27 (0) 21 795 6300 | View Website Here

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Join in a celebratory family-style Christmas set menu at La Belle Bistro & Bakery priced at R600 per person. Set in classy Constantia at The Alphen Boutique Hotel, la Belle Bistro & Bakery offers guests only the finest rustic foodie flair, fresh and wholesome baked goods and myriad culinary delights. For more information on the creatively interpreted traditional dishes to expect, check out La Belle’s Christmas Menu.

Park Inn Newlands by Radisson, Newlands

+27 (0) 21 822 6500 | View website here.

In the tree-lined suburb of Newlands you’ll find the Park Inn by Radisson, hugged by Table Mountain and inviting you into style and luxury. This Christmas, they’re throwing a no-holds-barred, gourmet Christmas buffet lunch. Offering a delicious combination of traditional favourites and exciting new dishes, Executive chef Morne Botha’s menu is set to ensure guests enjoy a unique and memorable festive dining experience. The cost per adult is R550, R275 per child under 12, and free for kids under 5 years old.

Quentin at Oakhurst, Hout Bay

+27 (0) 21 790 4888 | www.oakhurstbarn.com

Located at Oakhurst, one of Hout Bay’s original farmsteads, Quentin at Oakhurst will be staging a sweeping, mouth-watering, and multi-course lunch this Christmas. Featuring Cape seafood salad composée; vichyssoise soup served with shaved Kalahari truffle; wood-roasted free-range duck with an apricot and pecan nut stuffing; Christmas pudding packed with traditional candied fruits, steeped in Cape brandy with a Van Der Hum crème anglaise, and more, it’s not to be missed. The cost per person is R1200, R250 for kids aged 6 to 12, and R150 for kid under 6 year old. Check out the Quentin at Oakhurst Christmas Lunch Menu here.

Suikerbossie Restaurant, Hout Bay

+27 (0) 21 790 1450 | www.suikerbossie.co.za

Join this institution of picturesque Hout Bay for a buffet-style Christmas feast that’s pretty much guaranteed to send you home happily stuffed to the gills. Guests can expect festive roasted treats, including lamb, pork belly, turkey, glazed gammon, potatoes, and garden fresh vegetables, while dessert is a dizzying array of sweet dishes from traditional Christmas pudding and mince pies to chocolate mousse, tiramisu, and more. The lunch goes from 12:00 to 16:00, and the cost per adult is R890 and R310 for kids under 12.

Eating Out in Hout Bay

Posted on by dkvillas


Even More Places to Wine & Dine in the “790”

Last month, we posted a blog on some of dk villas’ favourite places to eat in Hout Bay (you can read that here) but our valley is such a little foodie paradise that we felt we had to publish a follow-up blog on some of the other amazing eateries there are to visit. Here are even more restaurants to eat at on your next visit to Hout Bay….

EAT Restaurant at the Hout Bay Manor

+27 (0) 21 790 0116

A gem among Hout Bay restaurants, EAT is an easy-going, versatile restaurant that prides itself on skilfully prepared, fresh, wholesome food and outstanding service. An old world with new flavours, the Hout Bay Manor’s whimsical venue gives guests the option of dining indoors or al fresco under shady plane trees or poolside when the weather is good. The menus are as generous as they are diverse, serving breakfasts, light lunches, lunch, tapas, dinner, snacks, Asian-inspired cuisine, and desserts. Well-behaved dogs are welcome to accompany their families!
Address: Hout Bay Manor, No. 5 Baviaanskloof Road, Off Main Road

Green Vine Eatery at Silvermist Wine Estate

T: +27 (0) 21 795 1013

Nestled amongst the Longkloof Mountain Range and overlooking the Constantia Valley, you’ll find the gorgeous Silvermist Organic Wine Estate. Silvermist’s restaurant is called the Green Vine Eatery and is owned and managed by Chessa Louw, who is passionate about natural flavours, raw foods, and visually appetizing dishes. The "Green Vine Experience" focuses on abundance and the freshest ingredients, which it delivers in a shabby-chic-meets-wine-farm setting with gorgeous views, raw wooden decks, rolling lawns, exposed wooden tables, and friendly, welcoming staff.
Address: Silvermist Wine Estate, Constantia Main Road

La Cuccina

T: +27 (0) 21 790 8008

18 years on and so much has changed at La Cuccina, yet so much has remained the same. La Cuccina is serious about making people happy through their breakfasts and lunches, which are created to be “real and comforting”. They work with many small, local artisan food producers to prepare dishes that are as beautiful to look at as they are to sink your teeth into. You can order a la carte or have a go at their mouth-watering breakfast and lunch harvest tables (go hungry). Alternatively, you can order a healthy “ready meal” to take with you to work or to eat on the road if you’re exploring.
Address: Victoria Mall, Corner of Victoria and Empire roads

Lucky Bao

T: +27 (0) 64 661 4415

A baozi, or bao for short, is a type of filled bun or bread-like dumpling in various Chinese cuisines. Lucky Bao pays homage to this delicious anytime snack or meal with its Asian-inspired menu, featuring sticky duck bao, pork belly bao, ramen fried chicken bao, and more. Situated right next door to Cheyne's on Hout Bay Main Road, Lucky Bao is an intimate, eight-seater food bar that, in addition to its namesake dish, serves other Asian favourites, such as pork shio ramen, wagyu beef burgers, beef gyoza, and nori-dusted fries.
Address: 35 Main Road, Hout Bay

Pakalolo

T: +27 (0) 21 790 0700

Pakalolo is a restaurant and excellent bar that serves traditional pub favourites like burgers, bar snack foods, seafood, salads, and Mexican cuisine. Perched at the beginning of Chapman's Peak Drive, right opposite the beach, Pakalolo is reliably vibey with live local entertainment (music and comedy) on weekends and outside terraces, a chill-out lounge, a Bistro area with fireplace, and three big screens for sports events in full HD.
Address: 10 Main Road, Hout Bay

Papino’s Restaurant

T: +27 (0) 82 570 6320

At 34 years old, Papino’s family run Italian Restaurant is a legendary institution situated in the heart of Hout Bay. Here, owners Karen and Richard have created a restaurant that is all about delicious, traditional Italian dishes executed with a contemporary twist. The ochre walls are reminiscent of a Tuscan landscape and there is a romantic, almost sultry atmosphere, which, for decades, has made this restaurant a favourite with both locals and tourists.
Address: 14 Earl Street, Hout Bay

Piccolo Posticino

T: +27 (0) 67 393 1653

Piccolo Posticino was first opened in Sea Point in 1998 by Enrico and Gioacchino, but now has a branch in Hout Bay that offers authentic Italian cuisine. Situated on the right just before the famous Chapman's Peak Drive, Piccolo Posticino is run on a combination of love, great food, and a passion for everything Italian, from thin-based pizzas and fresh Italian caprese salads to indulgent lasagne and your favourite pasta dishes.
Address: 2 Shoreline Centre, 13 Beach Crescent, Hout Bay

Spiro’s Greek Restaurant

T: +27 (0) 21 791 3897

Opa! Spiro’s is a traditional Greek restaurant and relaxed neighbourhood spot with a full bar, charming courtyard, and kids’ play area. This lively taverna boasts a beguiling Mediterranean, beach-side feel that is consistent throughout its interior and outdoor seating areas. The menu pays full tribute to its roots in Greece, showcasing contemporary Greek street food with some Middle Eastern influences. For the full, authentic Greek experience, start your meal with a shot of ouzo (anise-flavoured aperitif).
Address: 30 Main Road, Hout Bay

Wharfside Grill Restaurant

T: +27 (0) 21 790 1100

Expect authentic harbourside ambience, spectacular bay views, and a delicious menu of fresh seafood and innovation creations like Calaprawnia, Houtbaisse, and Fisherman’s Baskets at The Wharfside Grill. Located at Mariner’s Wharf, the 350-seater restaurant features six private dining cabins themed to seafaring history and famous ships, such as the Queen Mary and those belonging to the Union-Castle Line, which frequented the Cape.
Address: Mariner's Wharf, Harbour Road, Hout Bay

Woodcutter's Arms

T: +27 (0) 21 791 0189

Conveniently located almost right opposite DK Villas’ Harbour View property on Hout Bay Main Road, Woodcutters Arms is a traditional English style pub offering home-cooked, British inspired dishes, a large selection of craft beer, an extensive wine list, and great service in a relaxed atmosphere. They also have a number of large TV screens so you can catch the game while sinking a few pints with friends.
Address: 37 Main Road, Hout Bay

Luxurious Escape to Dwarskersbos

Posted on by dkvillas


dk villas’ Beach Cottage at Skilliepark

If you exit the city on the N7 and drive up the country’s west coast, past the West Coast National Park, through the town of Velddrif, and past a vast tract of low-lying marine scrub, you’ll chance upon the quaint seaside community of Dwarskersbos. Here, a clutch of residential homes and holiday cottages bathe in the gentle, ever-present purr of the ocean waves and the salty maritime breezes that blow off the Atlantic Ocean.

Dwarskersbos and its beach, Dolfynstrand, is a place to “get away from it all” - away from the city and the insanity. It’s a serene escape in which one can do a little reconnection with oneself, a loved one, and nature. And as a visitor to this far-flung portion of the Cape, there couldn’t be a better home-away-from-home to do it all in than DK Villa’s beach cottage at Skilliepark.

Chic beach cottage

DK Villa’s two-bedroom beach cottage is perfectly positioned near the beach to allow guests front-row seats to the sunset. And with a sheltered indoor braai area with eight-seater table and wrap-around windows, the show can be enjoyed irrespective of the season.

Inside, the cottage is decidedly chic and beach-themed with full attention paid to every detail concerning function, comfort, space usage, and aesthetics. When it comes to interior design, Petra has impeccable style and vision, while Johann is a self-admitted perfectionist! There is an open plan double volume living room and fully kitted-out kitchen that includes high-end appliances, a coffee and tea-making station (and Ouma rusks, natuurlik), as well as heaps of storage space.

DK Villas’ beach cottage at Skilliepark has two bedrooms, both with queen-size beds and one with an open plan en-suite bathroom with a bath. In terms of amenities (and luxuries), no detail has gone without consideration by Johann and Petra. The apartment is flush with everything one could possibly want and need to enjoy a luxurious stay in the fairly remote coastal village of Dwarskersbos. This includes complimentary Wi-Fi, an enormous flat screen TV with DSTV, and Egyptian cotton towels and sheets so soft your biggest challenge will be getting out of bed in the morning. There are event reference books for birding and nature enthusiasts to peruse.

Master bedroom (with en-suite)

Second bedroom

Surrounding attractions

The most immediate diversion to be enjoyed in Dwarskersbos is its beach, Dolfynstrand, which lies a short two-minute walk from the Skilliepark beach cottage. This broad and mostly deserted expanse of white sand is littered with mussel shells and patrolled by Kelp Gulls and African Black Oystercatchers. It offers kilometres of pristine beach to stroll on or a romantic spot for a picnic or sundowner drinks.

The area is home to a number of nature reserves (the West Coast National Park and Rocherpan Nature Reserve), as well as the Berg River and its estuary, so it is quite a haven for nature lovers. Between the months of June and September, Southern Right whales frequent the coast and in August to September, the West Coast landscapes erupt into colour as the wildflowers bloom. There are also plenty of walks, hikes, nature trails, birdwatching, and even Berg River boat cruises to explore.

For more detailed information, read our blog on things to do and see in Dwarskersbos.

Wine and dine

Truth be told, the true allure of Dwarskersbos is its remoteness and tranquillity and so you won’t find any kind of restaurant strip or nightlife here (aside from the odd Barn owl or fiery-necked nightjar). If you can’t be bothered to drive more than a few minutes for a hearty plate of food, try the See Kaia (+27 (0) 83 276 3115 or +27 (0) 71 742 8593), which serves unpretentious, rustic cuisine like pizzas, burgers, toasted sandwiches, and breakfasts.

A short 10 to 15-minutes’ drive away, Velddrif and Port Owen offer up a much greater diversity of restaurants, pubs, and casual eateries, such as Russells on the Port (+27 (0) 22 783 0158), Charlie’s Brewhouse (+27 (0) 22 783 0448), Ek en Djy Vissery (+27 (0) 82 781 3878), Lavender & Lime Coffee Shop (+27 (0) 78 203 8374), and many more. Check out our blog about places to eat in and around Dwarskersbos!

Why Dwarskersbos should be your next weekend getaway

DK Villas’ beach cottage at Skilliepark has been set up in such a way that even if it stormed the entire weekend, you wouldn’t care because the tranquillity you seek can be found within its walls and within its luxury sheets. And this is what Dwarskersbos offers, really: tranquillity. Too often, we seek peace on our travels only to end up spending time, money, and energy on being tourists. While there is much to do and see on the Cape’s stunning West Coast, Dwarskersbos’ relative remoteness makes it easy to spend a day lying on the beach or in bed reading a book; to go for long walks through the veldt or just watch the day ease into night.

DK Villas’ guesthouse has every amenity and luxury one could possibly need to enjoy the peace this part of the world has to offer. It is, above all else, a restful and luxurious home for the heart and the soul, and the perfect getaway for anyone – Capetonian or tourist – in pursuit of rejuvenation.

For more information on our Skilliepark property or to make a booking, go to www.dkvillas.co.za, email info@dkvillas.co.za, or call Johann de Kock on +27 (0)82 922 0775.
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