Blogs

Lions River Trading Post

16 Sep 2015

Lions River is a tiny district along the Midlands Meander, surrounded by beautiful views. The Lion’s River Trading Post presents visitors to the area with a taste of yesteryear. Housed in historic buildings, the Trading Post is worth visiting for its antiques and collectibles shop. These include pieces such as furniture - primarily from the Victorian era – old farm implements, art works and smaller trinkets...

(GPS coordinates: -29.463178, 30.164316)

Hout Bay & Mariner's Wharf

Nightjar Travel

15 Sep 2015

Scenic Hout Bay retains the character of a lively coastal town, with a lovely swimming beach, a picturesque harbour and some of the best fish and chips in the Cape. The town lies in a protected bay between Chapman’s Peak and Mount Sentinel. It was given its name by the first governor of the Cape, Jan van Riebeeck in 1652. "Hout Bay” means “Wood Bay”, which reflected the dense forests that characterised the area at the time. Aside from the beach and harbour, visitors can visit the Hout Bay Museum and the Hout Bay Craft Market, where you can pick up a range of African curios...

(GPS coordinates: -34.046877, 18.348214)

Mushka

Nightjar Travel

8 Sep 2015

The unique clothing ranges available from Mushka are made of the highest quality fabrics, most of which tell a story. The inimitability is a result of stock that is largely sourced from Nepal, which is then hand-dyed and embroidered. It is also sourced from local producers; a practice that supports local community development. A silk range from India is also offered. Mushka is located along the walkway to Howick Falls. There is also a shop in the central Drakensberg, for those travelling a little further out into the mountains...

(GPS coordinates: -29.485996, 30.235791)

44 Stanley Avenue Precinct

Nightjar Travel

25 Aug 2015

A refreshing alternative to the copy-and-paste shopping malls that have proliferated in Johannesburg’s retail scene, 44 Stanley is a collection of over 25 boutique stores. It’s located in a repurposed industrial depot between the historic suburb of Richmond and the business district of Milpark. Suburban mall-crawlers are likely to dismiss 44 Stanley’s drab façade. Those in the know relish the treasure trove of bespoke clothing and furniture stores, art galleries, restaurants, bookshops and more, masked by the warehouse-like walls. With a vibe that’s part Greenwich Village, part Notting Hill scruffy-chic...

(GPS coordinates: -26.185413, 28.019214)

Groundcover

Nightjar Travel

14 Aug 2015

The Groundcover leather company along the Curry’s Post Road has a solid reputation for the highest quality handmade leather products. The shop is located in a scenic setting with a vast mountain view, in a house with a rich and interesting history. The house was originally shipped to order from England. It has since been restored to its former glory and is admired as much as the products it contains...

(GPS coordinates: -29.388394, 30.175551)

Read more at www.nightjartravel.com/

Shopping/groundcover

The Junction

Nightjar Travel

23 Jul 2015

The Junction in Nottingham Road is a popular stop on the Midlands Meander. The centre is more of a shopping village that has retained its origins as a country farm stall. With big, shady trees, pruned gardens and a view over the Midlands countryside, The Junction invites guests to browse through its shops. Its country restaurant is a relaxing place to enjoy a light lunch or snack – or skip straight to dessert. In the meantime, children will enjoy the jungle gym area…

(GPS coordinates: -29.357211, 29.997252)

Sandton City and Nelson Mandela Square

Nightjar Travel

21 Jul 2015

Sandton City is one Johannesburg’s oldest, largest and most exclusive shopping malls. Currently undergoing expansion to add another 30 000m² of retail space, Sandton City has 300 stores. These boast the best in local and international designer and lifestyle brands to cater to those for whom life is one long fashion catwalk. Nearby, connected to Sandton City via a pedestrian mall bridge, is Nelson Mandela Square, Sandton’s most fashionable meeting place. It sports an open air fountain, notable steakhouses, a library and a theatre. Nelson Mandela Square’s piazza has a famous 6m-high bronze statue of Nelson Mandela...

(GPS coordinates: -26.107311, 28.054544)

Afrogem Jewellers

Nightjar Travel

19 Jul 2015

When you are driving out of town on Buitengracht Street in the direction of Kloof Nek, just before you start leaving the CBD behind, there is a sign that winks at you. It is the sign for Afrogem, a local jewellery manufacturer. It is not a bad idea to give in to temptation. Here you will find Diamond, Tanzanite and semi precious stones set in both Gold and Silver. You will also find a range of loose Diamonds, Tanzanite and semi precious stones that can be transformed into your dream piece, usually within 24 hours...

(GPS coordinates: -33.926454, 18.411363)

The Royal Hotel Pilgrims Rest

Nightjar Travel

9 Jul 2015

While today we regard Pilgrim’s Rest with his gold-mining history as quaint, it was once an elegant cosmopolitan centre. This sophistication has been retained by the town’s Royal Hotel, which was declared a National Monument in 1986. Consisting of 10 buildings that date back to the late 19th century, the hotel has been restored to the splendour of its Victorian origins and offers 50 en-suite bedrooms. In keeping with the period, they feature brass beds, washstands and ball-and-claw bath. The modern hairdryers and shavers seem a little misplaced...

(GPS coordinates: -24.908888, 30.757288)

Thokozisa

Nightjar Travel

20 Jun 2015

Thokozisa means ‘The Happy Meeting of Ways’. It is the ideal gateway to the beautiful central Drakensberg. Stone walkways guide visitors to the shops, tucked away in a maze of bushes, trees and wooden totems. The unimposing infrastructure makes the centre feel like a bush retreat with terracotta-style walls and thatched roofing. Designed by artists, this centre certainly is a masterpiece...

(GPS coordinates: -28.919922, 29.52198)

Gowrie Village

Nightjar Travel

8 Jun 2015

Gowrie Village in Nottingham Road is a quaint, country complex and golf course on Gowrie Farm. Designed as a country escape, the complex is ensconced on a working farm that gives it a truly pastoral feel. The nine-hole golf course is modelled on some of the best course features in the world. It has a natural layout, which ensures that guests play against a Midlands backdrop dotted with trout dams. With 180 bird species having been identified on the farm, bird lovers can combine a round of golf with a bit of birdwatching...

(GPS coordinates: -29.354504, 29.997922)

African Craft Market of Rosebank

Nightjar Travel

14 May 2015

If you love markets for their vibes as much as their diverse wares, then you’ll love the African Craft Market of Rosebank. From its beginnings as a motley assortment of craft stalls, the African Craft Market is now a famous Johannesburg tourist destination. A one-stop shop for all things uniquely African, the atmosphere is lively and colourful. If you relish bartering and bargaining you’ll have a great time pitting your negotiating skills against the 70-odd highly persuasive craftspeople who showcase art and craft from all over Africa...

(GPS coordinates: -26.146429, 28.042576)

Die Winkel op Paternoster

Nightjar Travel

2 May 2015

Die Winkel op Paternoster (the shop at Paternoster) is a general dealer with a designer twist. From the outside, it looks like a typical weather-beaten corner shop - the kind you see everywhere in the quiet, isolated villages of the Cape West Coast. The rusty bicycle, old straw broom in the doorway and the rustic fishing boat turned container garden are all convincing props. It’s the super expensive 4x4s and convertibles in the car park that expose the masquerade. Die Winkel is really a trendy family-run emporium famous for its West Coast designer chic and gourmet goodies...

(GPS coordinates: -32.809712, 17.894379)

Ludwig's Roses

Nightjar Travel

19 Apr 2015

At Ludwig Taschner’s nursery, north of Pretoria, everything is rosy – literally. From the sea of rose blooms that greets visitors to the rose-inspired menu served in the Spiced Coffee restaurant. Ludwig Taschner is a household name among the South African rose growing fraternity. He popularised rose growing in South Africa after he successfully containerised rose plants. He has now turned his decades of rose growing and propagating expertise into an exhibition rose farm par excellence...

(GPS coordinates: -25.576731, 28.288017)

Read more at www.nightjartravel.com/shopping/ludwig’s-roses

Knysna Quays

Nightjar Travel

7 Mar 2015

The Waterfront at the Knysna Quays is one of the town’s main tourist shopping and dining hubs. Situated off Waterfront Drive at the bottom end of town, it is built around the small-boat harbour, where yachts big and small bob dreamily on the swell. For shoppers, there is a host of outlets selling arts and crafts, jewellery, curios, souvenirs and specialist items. There’s also a good selection of restaurants so, when all that shelf-browsing results in an appetite, you can pick a table overlooking the water and relax...

(GPS coordinates: -34.039965, 23.045154)

The Litchi Orchard

Nightjar Travel

13 Feb 2015

Situated half an hour from Durban, the Litchi Orchard is wholly family-owned and run and strive to use their “cherished little corner of the world” to celebrate food and a back-to-basics approach to life. From the delightful Yellow Cafe, to the on-site Beanstruk Coffee Roastery, the Lemon Canary bespoke bakery and the fantastic Driefontein garden centre; there is a lot to keep you occupied. And then there is the ever-popular farmer’s market which is held on the first and third Saturdays each month, 9am to 1pm. Their latest addition is the Monkey Country bar and venue, set on a deck and looking into the litchi trees...

(GPS coordinates: -29.483446, 31.226722)

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