We've been experiencing wet wintry weather since May, and I have transitioned into full hibernation mode as I hardly leave home unless I absolutely have no choice but to. Being at home for days on end, a break was long overdue, thus I decided to go away with a friend. Living in Cape Town has many perks, like being surrounded by so many phenomenal places to visit. We decided on Franschhoek, which is a mere hour's drive away. We left Friday late afternoon and checked into the Marriott Protea Hotel for the weekend.
It is a cosy spot on Main Road that is situated perfectly for walking to the many restaurants, galleries, boutiques and shops. After settling in, we ventured out to explore the vibrant local scene, eager to indulge in the renowned culinary delights on offer. The charming streets were alive with the sounds of laughter and clinking glasses, and we couldn’t wait to immerse ourselves in the weekend's festivities. With more than forty wineries in the Franschhoek wine region, there is a plethora of options to choose from. For Friday night dinner, we opted to go to the beautiful Boschendal estate. As we arrived, the sun began to set, casting a golden hue over the vineyards, which presented an endearing atmosphere. We enjoyed a vegetable platter woodfired pizzas, carrot cake and the enchanting experience was exactly what we both needed.
We had a peaceful night's rest, and in the morning, we enjoyed the hotel buffet for breakfast as we sat at the best table stationed right next to the fireplace. We tried the eggs Florentine on rye, which was delicious. Afterward we took a long stroll down Main Road and ventured into every place that had an open door. We spent considerable time at Huguenot Fine Chocolates, a boutique chocolaterie that produces an awesome array of chocolates crafted from the finest Belgian dark, milk, white and ruby cacao. I purchased an assortment of their creations including my favourite ginger dipped in chocolate and made sure to get enough goodies to gift those dear to me. On our way back to the hotel, we popped in at the market that was filled with local produce, live music and a vibrant crowd.
The weather throughout the day was surprisingly warm, and we spent the rest of Saturday lounging in the sun at the pool. It was an ideal way to relax, with the gentle sound of water lapping against the poolside and the scent of flowers in the air. As the afternoon wore on, we indulged in a mocha Shiraz, recollecting our random adventures and making plans for what was to come. When the sun began to set, we decided to freshen up and head back to one of the restaurants we had stumbled upon whilst on our morning walk. A hidden gem called Let's Frite, which we discovered by following a stream that led to a side pathway off Main Road. Eager to sample some of the delicious treats we had seen earlier, we proceeded to the eatery nestled away at the end of the alley. The enticing aromas filled the air, making it difficult to choose just one dish to savour, but we were keen to try their veggie burgers, and it was superb. We agreed that their mushroom vegan burger is the best mushroom-based burger that we had ever eaten. We were seated in view of the telly and managed to catch the South Africa vs Georgia rugby match. We had an exciting and entertaining evening and got back to the hotel feeling ready to wind down and watch a movie.
On Sunday morning we enjoyed the hotel buffet again and this time we decided to try the omelette, and it was fantastic. Afterwards, we caught some sun in the courtyard before checking out and making our way back home. The weekend had been a delightful escape, leaving us refreshed and longing for more adventures together. As we drove home, we reminisced about some silly and special moments, already planning our next staycation, which will be to the Karoo in a few weeks time for another amazing girls getaway.
Girls Getaway by EJ for EJblogtv
an Enjoyment Journal about Everything EJ
xoxo