Author: Desiree Haakonsen

Whether it’s for a business meeting, catching up with friends, escaping the cold, or simply satisfying a caffeine craving, coffee shops are a great place to socialise and enjoy tasty fare. Here are some fantastic coffee shops in Johannesburg. Guru Indulge in a delicious Guru-branded blend of barrel-roasted beans from Ethiopia to Guatemala. This buzzing […]

After a successful four-day event, the 2013 Durban Good Food & Wine Show has plenty of reasons for a celebratory toast. Record crowds turned up at the culinary and lifestyle show to enjoy the many attractions, especially in the Celebrity Chefs Theatre where chefs of the calibre of James Martin, Vivek Singh, Anjali Pathak, and […]

With a quick exit off the N2, Route 62 offers a shorter and more scenic trip from Cape Town, through the Klein Karoo and Garden Route, to Port Elizabeth. Route 62 is home to the world’s longest wine route and a newer Brandy Route, which offer exciting excursions on their own. But Route 62 isn’t […]

With so many exciting events heading to Johannesburg, the City of Gold has a lot more than colourful blooms and balmy thunderstorms to look forward to this spring! Soweto Wine Festival 5 – 7 September 2013 Taste your way through 950 wines over 3 nights at Soweto’s premier wine festival. Meet the winemakers, discover new wines, and […]

With only 10 wine estates, the Constantia Wine Route is not only the southern hemisphere’s oldest wine-making region (dating to 1685), but also the Cape’s most intimate wine route. Despite its small size, the Constantia Wine Route produces award-winning wines year after year; making it one of the biggest celebrities in the international world of […]

When you have only a short time to visit a tourism mecca like Knysna (voted the number 2 city in Africa 2012 by Condé Nast Traveler), on South Africa’s luscious Garden Route, it can be tough choosing which activities to prioritise. The best advice is to ask the locals – especially those involved with tourism […]

You can’t be in Knysna, at a restaurant called “Tapas & Oysters”, and not try one of the fresh oysters that are practically the town mascots. There is even a 10 day Knysna Oyster Festival where thousands of people pitch up in the middle of winter to get a taste of the succulent delicacy. It’s […]

With 2 little kids, eating out in our family tends to involve venues with bright colours, jungle gyms, mascots, fast food, and noise pollution. Needless to say, Kegan and I were looking forward to a quiet, unhurried, intimate dinner on our own at Knysna Hollow Restaurant. It also happened to be my last night as […]