Cheek2Chic Issue 17- The Travel Issue

ISSUE 17

THE TRAVEL ISSUE

www.cheektochic.co.za

EDITOR’S LETTER Humans are curious creatures: no matter how good their circumstances are, there always comes a time when a longing for greener pastures overcomes them. We are part of the animal kingdom, after all, and join in the great migratory patterns of the creatures that constantly roam the earth in search of better scenery, food and experiences.

This Travel Issue is dedicated to yielding to your inner wanderlust!

Want to sleep under the crystal-clear night skies of the Karoo, encrusted with the dazzling gems of the Milky Way? Seasoned traveller Richard Webb takes you to Samara Private Game Lodge; to the unpopulated unpolluted wilderness, the “place of miracles”, Singita, within the Sabi Sand Game Reserve; or to sand bush dinners and sundowners at Tswalu in the Kalahari.

We have the right transportation for the job too. Swoop down through the breathtaking Sani Pass, or swish in cosmopolitan style through uber-cool Cape Town in some very fancy wheels. And if you are a beach rather than a bush baby, be prepared to be whisked off on the roadtrip of a lifetime to the De Hoop Reserve for a spot of whale watching or fynbos-rich Yserfontein.

If it’s international memory making experiences you crave, try luxury, lederhosen and largesse in Munich, or an alternative street art tour in London.

Besides the editor’s recommendations Richard lines up a ravishing selection of the top cars for 2018, some of which have not yet been released in South Africa.

And what do you quaff while enjoying all this gorgeous downtime? We have a few celebratory champagnes on offer, and interview Emmanuel Gantet, of Champagne Lanson, who is the export manager for Africa, Middle East and Oceania.

Raise your glasses and here’s to a truly great 2018!

@cheek2chic

cheek2chic2

EDITOR

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

MOTORING WRITER

SARAH CANGLEY

KIMBERLEY REID

RICHARD WEBB

High end South African influencer Sarah Cangley turned her social column, Cheek2Chic, into a luxury digi-magazine four years ago, all issues https://issuu.com/cheek2chic

Kimberley Reid is a creative director whose quick eye for illustration or photography transforms a page from mildly interesting to arresting

Richard Webb travels globally to unearth and share cool content for brands on social media and print.

Follow him on instagram

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CONTRIBUTORS SUPPLIED

Cheek2Chic’s PeoplePlacesParties

The finest Blanc de Noirs Champagne ever made, Champagne Granday-Lacanet is packaged like a precious jewel, dressed by hand with delicate sheets of 24 carat gold.

Happy 2018! www.granday-lacanet.com

This festive season visit the new Perrier-JouĂŤt champagne bar and garden at 54 on Bath, an elegantly understated boutique hotel in the heart of Rosebank

CONTENTS

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THE TRAVEL ISSUE

Pool Suite at Singita

08. TOAST THE NEW YEAR Try the new Champagne Lanson Music Box which has a portable speaker, enjoy a chilled glass of Cristal, pop a cork or two of Perrier-Jouët’s beautiful festive bottles or treat yourself to a bottle of gold leaf covered Granday-Lacanet

10. SATISFY YOUR WANDER LUST We take you to unspoilt gems around South Africa, from the bush to the beach, and explore alternative ways of experiencing Cape Town, Munich and London from the vantage point of some gorgeous cars.

44. A MOTORING FEAST Motoring editor Richard Webb looks at the hot new models for the upcoming year from BMW to Bentley.

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ON THE COVER

Toast the New Year in style with a bottle of crystalline and full-bodied Belle Epoque 2006 Perrier-JouĂŤt. www.perrier-jouet.com

CHAMPAGNE

Musical bubbles Emmanuel Gantet of Champagne Lanson, the export manager for Africa, Middle East and Oceania, says South Africa is the biggest market in Africa for champagne sales. According to the CIVC (Champagne Board Authority), 850 000 bottles are shipped to this country annually, which is a staggering amount.

Clearly this is a market that enjoys good champagne, including the aperitif style of Lanson Black Label Brut NV, its fresh, crispy, perfect finish and a traditional method of being close to the fruit, with a good balance between the acidity and the sugar.

Emmanuel is excited about the brand’s new novelties, which are perfect for our long South African summers and relaxed beach parties.

What better time than the festive season to try out Champagne Lanson’s latest novelty, the limitededition Music Box which houses the iconic Lanson Black Label Brut NV, designed in the classic and sophisticated Black Label colour palette of black, white, red and gold?

The unique gifting case allows a smartphone to be docked in the top lid, enabling an amplified sound when music is played from the device, transforming the Lanson Music Box into a makeshift speaker.

This champagne is ready to go anywhere at any time – and take the party with it!

The second big novelty lined up for 2018 is the

Lanson Rose Message in a Bottle, which is young, festive and fun. It should be released in South Africa within the next 6 months.

According to Emmanuel Champagne Lanson was a pioneer in the rosé category and has created a standout rosé since the 1950s.

Another great drinking concept is Lanson White Label, which has been launched into Miami and Café del Mar in Ibiza. Aimed at the millennials who love sugar and like to whip up their own cocktails its mixology concept allows drinkers to play with the aromas, adding flavours like mint leaves, raspberry or orange peel.

Whether the new novelties are served chilled on the beach with white glasses, onboard on British Airways flying in to South Africa at or in tulipshaped glasses at Champagne Lanson’s snow bar in the Alps, they help to rejuvenate and reboost the brand to a young and hip emerging market.

Emmanuel discusses the impact of the 2016 harvest on the champagne house which uses a majority of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

“Because July was warm and August rainy it was a complicated harvest,” he says. “Chardonnay was most affected and a lot of selections had to be made.”

Champagne Lanson is the second largest group after LVMH and is still family owned. The house was created in 1760 and is a member of the Maltese order, hence the Maltese cross.

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SARAH CANGLEY talks to Champagne Lanson’s export manager Emmanuel Gantet about the champagne house’s new novelties and its growing popularity in South Africa

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Under the radar roadtrips Adventure is all about allowing the unexpected to happen to you – to experience what you have not experienced before, says RICHARD WEBB

The world is full of destinations on the road well-travelled, where crowds can sometimes feel endless. But no matter what corner of the planet you look at, there are still plenty of overlooked travel destinations – some right on our doorstep within these South African borders and others just beyond – waiting to be explored.

Sitting together with complete strangers on benches under trees, laughing, having a glass of wine and discussing the latest news – it feels like we leave something of ourselves behind when we

leave a place. We stay there, even though we go away.

That’s what I think these places do. It is not the destination where you end up but the memories you create along the way. Whether you want to chill somewhere off the beaten path or escape to somewhere you’ve never even heard of, you’ll find ideas here in our under-the-radar destinations guide, along with a few suggestions on how to get there. After all, ‘The world is a great book, of which they that never stir from home read only a page.’

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SINGITA

Einstein apparently said “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though noting is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.

He’d approve of Singita – Shangaan for the ‘place of miracles’ – which celebrates 15 years of operation this year.

Built on a million acres of pristine land within the Sabi Sand game Reserve, Singita’s mission is to share this unique part of the world while maintaining respect for the natural environment. It seems to challenge our accepted notions of luxury. Is contemplation a luxury? Is waking up to complete silence, white sheets, the smell of crisp air and the roar of a lion a luxury?

Categorically, I think they are. Along with some of the most adventurous cuisine, Singita is a stunning gem in this, the most pristine of wilderness areas – the bush.

Singita is also the guardian of successful community development projects, making a difference in the lives of the community around its lodges.

To stay in unpopulated, untouched wilderness is a rare and authentic experience, touching guests on emotional and physical levels – as well as gastronomic ones, thanks in part to award-winning Cape Town-based chef Liam Tomlin.

He has taken their safari cuisine to new levels, with a sustainable range of experimental, artisanal cooking techniques inspired by the setting.

Think char-grilling, wok firing, curing, marinating, smoking, pickling and fermenting. Come nightfall, ‘sharing-plates’ highlight the five different tastes – umami, bitter, salt, sweet, and sour – encouraging daring wine pairings. Or try the Saldanha Bay mussels, gemsbok, kudu, kingklip or waterblommetjies – or Liam’s trademark tapas for a more relaxed dining style.

GETTING THERE Here, the Swiss Army Knife of the automotive world would be a good bet. By that, I mean Land Rover’s Discovery 5. This after all is a luxury vehicle that can carry seven adults with room to spare, is packed with equipment and is as capable off road as it is comfortable truncating our vast country.

The latest version looks sleeker than its functional-looking predecessor but don’t let that fool you into thinking it any less capable off-road. It does a rightful battle with rivals like the Volvo XC90, Audi Q7 and BMW X5.

The Discovery wafts on its standard air suspension quietly, shutting out wind and tyre noise and feeling every bit a truly premium product.

Materials are excellent, the design is classy and off-road assistance systems are class leaders.

But where it truly counts, it is still a Land Rover at heart. it will trek over or wade through terrain simply considered implausible for a road car – combining luxury and off-road ability superior to any of its rivals.

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TSWALU

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Privacy is a hard-won thing. It enables you to be at peace, for a while. And when you connect to that silence within you, that’s when you start making sense of the activity going on around you.

That place is here, in your own private slice of the Kalahari at Tswalu, South Africa’s biggest private game reserve. A bold desire to restore the Kalahari is fed by sustainable tourism initiatives, like the reintroduction of Lion Kings of Africa, the blackmaned Kalahari lion. it’s possible to encounter the endangered black rhino – of which there are only about 5 000 left - and 30 000-year-old San Bushmen rock carvings at Tarkuni from horseback.

The guides here have an innate sense of balance, exposing their guests to all of nature – giving both flora and fauna the kind of attention that would will delight even the most experienced eco-tourist.

With over 100,000 hectares of remarkable diversity, with an ever-changing colour palate, a visit to Tswalu is spell-binding.

In a belief that simple is not just simplistic, the spa opens onto a secret, labyrinthine garden populated with indigenous plants. The spa itself is crafted from natural materials with dry-stone walls and reed ceilings in the indoor and outdoor showers. Colours are calm and neutral to create a haven of tranquillity with gentle, sensual inspiration drawn from the natural wonders of the Kalahari.

Sundowners are followed by feet in the sand bush dinners – their interpretation of a traditional “boma” braai, with delicious venison, spicy chakalaka and morogo. Or choose a romantic dinner on your private deck with a telescope for gazing at the stars whilst quaffing a vintage South African wine.

GETTING THERE

never feeling out of its depth even when you hustle it towards your date with a relaxing spa.

Select Sport mode within the dynamic control menu tightening up the responses of the entire car, making it feel like more like a high riding sports saloon than a weighty 4x4. Off-road, it is still stellar, with enough electronic trickery to keep you going in all but the toughest terrain.

Consider the Mercedes GLC, the first premium compact SUV from the three pointed-star in South Africa. The brand has had no difficulty establishing a foothold amongst its Audi Q5, Discovery Sport and BMW X3 rivals. I drove the 250d model, which has a great turn of pace and resists body lean in fast sweeping corners. There’s also plenty of grip,

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PICTURES SUPPLIED BY DE HOOP COLLECTION WWW.DEHOOPCOLLECTION.COM

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DE HOOP The De Hoop reserve is filled with endangered and rare flora and fauna, so the ‘take only photographs, leave only footprint’ mantra applies here. Whilst you are here, try heading 45 minutes west of De Hoop to the most southerly African wine region – in the Southern Cape.

De Hoop provides an excellent range of accommodation, from budget options, including tent and caravan spots and the traditional self-catering rondavels to cottages with a fully equipped kitchen and multiple bedrooms. If you’re looking to indulge with a group of friends, the best (and most expensive) accommodation at De Hoop is the luxurious Koppie Alleen, a four-bedroom Mediterranean-style cottage just steps from the beach and the best whale-watching spot on the reserve (starting at £450 a night).

Once you’ve decided which part of De Hoop you want to explore, there are various ways to do it. Choosing between various day walks or mountain biking along the many gravel roads and scenic game drives, where diverse antelope and the rare fynbos plants, there is so much on offer for hikers and cyclists too. Many have had close encounters with eland, bontebok, the Cape mountain zebra and baboons.

There is whale watching, snorkelling spots and exploration of tidal pools that grace the coastline during low tide. Being here lazing on the beach or snorkelling in the many turquoise rock pools are great ways to reminds us there is more flow than ebb, and it seems to contribute to one’s greater sense of abundance.

For tweeters with more of a love for ornithology than the 280 often meaningless characters, bird tours are a must at De Hoop.

Along the shores of the vlei wading birds proliferate and the endangered Cape vulture calls the Potberg Mountains in the reserve ‘home’ as they are the only remaining breeding colony.

The De Hoop Collection offers accommodation with majestic manor houses offering luxury suites to comfortable self-catering cottages help to complete the sea, sand dune and bush outdoor experience.

De Hoop offers a holiday experience for any type of traveller, from families and couples to the individual guests preferring the finer things in life. A truly memorable getaway awaits.

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There is whale watching, snorkelling spots and exploration of tidal pools that grace the coastline during low tide

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GETTING THERE

driving position. It’s worth adding an extra 20 minutes to your trip to take the scenic route through the towns of Napier and Bredasdorp via the R316 and R319. This way takes you through miles of time-honoured farm land and the largest concentration of blue cranes in the area. Farm stalls are common along the route from Cape Town and are perfect to pick up local cheeses, biltong and wine.

Combine the looks and comfort with its fourwheel-drive system, it truly fulfils the brief required of a ‘sport utility vehicle’. For owners who crave more individuality than you get from the default German brands, the Stelvio is very hard to beat.

I’d consider taking something stylish, comfortable, yet can handle off-road with ease. An Alfa Romeo?

No, I’m not even kidding. Their new SUV is named after Italy’s most famous mountain pass, so it’s got the proper credentials, right? Actually, yes, because like the excellent Giulia, the Stelvio is a significant step up in quality from anything else the brand has done in over 30 years. It looks the business, drives better than any rivals, this – at last – is an SUV you can buy with your heart, as well as your head.

Two adults and three children should have no complaints on long journeys because the ride quality is good and the driver has a commanding

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SAMARA 24

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This luxury private game reserve in the beloved great Karoo, in the eastern cape is where you can hear the heartbeat of the wilderness. There are many magical tales of the Karoo, of the vanished creatures of the bushveld that in distant times migrated across the aromatic Plains of camdeboo in epic numbers. here, in this malaria-free safari, tower the magnificent vistas of the Sneeuberg mountains above and beyond – seduction finds meaning here.

Night time in the Karoo is truly special; it belongs to the aardvarks, the jackals and even the pangolin, an unmistakable creature completely covered in razor-sharp brown scales. The unmistakeable scents of Fynbos and Wild Rosemary combine with Springbok Loin or Karoo Lamb to create a gustatory delight that is a perfect foil for the romance of dining in the boma under the stars.

The original farmstead – a simple building in the colonial style of the 20th century – has been painstakingly restored, and it’s from here that you can explore to find the game species that roamed here before settlers conquered. Wherever you look there is Africa.

Wildlife, with whistling bird song, the barks of the baboons, the chorus of frogs and the yapping of the black wildebeest, with its erect mane and a long whitish tail.

Whatever satisfies the soul is truth, and Samara is the truth.

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GETTING THERE Ideally positioned at the end of the Garden Route and close to the charming town of Graaff-Reinet, Samara’s award-winning malaria-free reserve is food for the soul. I’d choose the Volvo XC90 for the 2.5-hour drive from Port Elizabeth to Samara. If you’re looking for a seven seater with the style and quality to hold its own. However, a car is more than pretty aesthetics. It’s surely about the driving experience, quality and choosing the right one to suit your lifestyle. This is where the Volvo comes into its own.

Yes, it’s punchy enough to get up and go when needed and it’s quiet and refined too. But the key to the XC90’s appeal though, is its spacious, up-market interior with the refinement and smooth progress of a limousine. It emphatically shows that the Swedish brand has the innovation, panache and build quality to do battle with the very best Teutonic offerings.

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SANI PASS

Sani Pass is on the road between the Underberg in western KZN and Mokhotlong, Lesotho and reaches an elevation of 2,876m above sea level.

It is a notoriously tricky road, which absolutely requires the use of a decent 4x4 vehicle. In a series of snake-coiled hairpins, plunging drops and outrageous scenery.

Also known as the Roof of Africa, this pass displays the eerie remains of vehicles that did not keep to the straight and narrow confines of the road, which only add to the legend of its ominous yet trance-inducing beauty. Take a

tour over the pass before it is totally tarred over next year, and check into one of the many lodges and B&B’s peppered around both sides of the pass.

Take a camera, and some ‘padkos’ and allow enough daylight hours to soak up the views and get some super photographs. As beautiful and relaxing as it is to get there and park up, it is an adrenaline-pumping journey, and not for the timid. Your mother-in-law may not like it.

The route traverses through several shallow fords – some of which become waterfalls after the summer rains) – and when you reach the top of you can cross the ‘Highest Pub in Africa’ off your bucket-list.

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GETTING THERE Calm nerves, thoughtful progress is the order of the day here. There is a lot of distance to cover, so i’d consider one of South Africa’s favourites, the Toyota Fortuner. it’s built tough and strikes a super balance between ruggedness and everyday usability for under R1m.

The drive into the reserve is a 40-minute endurance of bumpy and pock-marked dust roads, which the Fortuner handles with disdain. With its Lexus-tinged styling, it manages to hint at a certain amount of luxury without reducing the proven toughness of the brand. it handles some challenging off-road terrain including river-sand and deep mud, and even the 2,4-litre base model offers a strong enough package for most travellers. Thanks to 400 nm of torque in the diesel 2.4, the car seems to lope along without much provocation, making for easy, relaxed travel.

When the great outdoors calls, the Fortuner offers a sensible answer, not least because the boot capacity is large enough to accommodate all your gear.

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YSERFONTEIN TO DARLING ON THE R315 The sun falls, the sun rises, the birds sing and the breeze touches your skin, and no matter where you are, these are the experiences that unite us all.

As a coastal fishing village with a small harbour, Yserfontein is a friendly and welcoming fynboskingdom town to be. Community spirit is palpable – where residents work tirelessly to protect its natural heritage for future generations.

Situated on the West Coast, it boasts South Africa’s longest stretch of beach, running from Yzerfontein’s Main beach in the South to Postberg in the West Coast National Park in the North. 16 Mile Beach is perfect for walkers, bathers, whale watchers and kite-surfers. Memorable horse rides on the beach, together with great fishing make this destination perfect for families or the couple seeking solitude combined with outdoor activities.

Numerous B&B’s and hotels are available.

Head out east on the R315 towards Darling, past the Yzervark Bistro and the West Coast

Farm Stall – noting the sign for the Wolwefontein MTB Trail (better pack that mountain bike, then) towards Darling. The changing topography yields hundreds of species of flowering plants, the terrain becoming more rugged as the Darling hills present themselves, giving way to the bountiful vineyards of this wine-growing region.

Look for the Darling Museum, within the late 19th century Town Hall, or go on one of the daily guided tours for a fascinating insight into the culture, heritage, knowledge, skills and contemporary life of the San people. For MTB riders, there’s an 11km Green Route for the beginner or less experienced rider, right up to a challenging 21km Red Route for moderate to experienced riders.

Then kick back a slow beer from Darling Brew or cruise the Darling wine route with your designated driver to check out the Cloof, Groote Post, Darling Cellars, Ormonde and Tukulu wine offerings with scrumptious meal options.

GETTING THERE We know Porsche has made some of the best sports cars around, and like its bigger ‘boet’, the Cayenne, the Porsche Macan is no ‘faux-by-four’. It’s as family-friendly as you’d expect from a 4x4 SUV, but with extra driving performance fun dialled in.

Unlike some overtly road-focused 4x4s, the Macan manages rough dirt roads well, soaking up the worst they have to offer without really bothering its passengers. All of this makes it a very relaxing car to cover big distances in.

All the materials look and feel expensive, and the plethora of switches and buttons on the dashboard are logically arranged. Perfectly weighted controls make life feel effortless and its elevated driving position gives an excellent view of the road ahead.

It copes well with pretty much everything South African conditions can throw at it, thanks to its standard four-wheel-drive architecture. Sure, it’s expensive, but if you can justify the cost, you’ll have a car that feels more agile, classy, practical and stylish than plenty of sports cars.

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Quick, quick, slow cities

If you think you know all about the fabulous cities of Munich, London and Cape Town, think again. Here are some of the hidden gems in these evergreen city destinations that you won’t see in any single tourist guide, but they will add verve to your next trip. The world is always open, waiting to be discovered – so let’s jump in.

MUNIFICENT MUNICH When lovers dream of a romantic European meal, they often think of a small back-street packed with local diners. Probably in Paris, Venice or, maybe in Barcelona or Rome – but not Munich. But if you’re looking for a thrilling memory-making experience, it’s time to give Munich another look.

Often seen as the conservative, hardworking obverse to fun-loving Berlin, Munich quietly gets on with life, but its annual beer binge on the Theresienwiese open space for Oktoberfest and countless other fun things help to balance the Bavarian capital’s reputation for luxury, lederhosen and largesse.

People like things casual here, but also somehow very chic. It’s been said that Munich is the most northern town of Italy and that seems true when it comes to fashion.

You won’t see many mismatched sartorial disasters on these streets.

A thriving, more youthful culture can easily be found beneath the safe and steady veneer, though, with more than 80 museums, galleries and a hedonistic art, student and nightlife culture. Museum Brandhorst boasts more than 1,000 works spanning classical avant-garde to American pop. The Norman Foster-designed wing at Lenbachhaus

accommodates expressionist pieces. Equally impressive are the three municipal galleries the Pinakothek der Moderne, Neue Pinakothek and the Alte.

All these delights are encapsulated into a beautiful green city, interlinked with 1,220kms of tree-lined bicycle and walkways. It’s an atmospheric place to visit, with pretty markets to explore and cosy beer halls to distract you from the idyllic parks along the winding banks of the Isar River, which are also perfect for picnicking or swimming.

An invigorating stroll in the city reveals a courtyard just off Odeonsplatz. It’s here you’ll find the city’s latest new market, where the scent of caramelised almonds and candy floss pervade, and live bands perform. A glorious afternoon can be had simply by scooping up edible souvenirs - charcuterie, artisan breads and foraged mushrooms and perhaps a radler. (beer with lemonade).

At Viktualienmarkt market in the city centre – the people-watching epicentre – where hipsters prowl the food markets in search of venison burgers and Banting friendly fayre from specialist stands. Of course, beer is still very much on the menu either side of Oktoberfest, albeit with somewhat less abandon. Müncheners love to bask in the sunshine in the city’s beer gardens, and AugustinerKeller is a favourite. Since 1812, it has been pouring the golden nectar from enormous wooden barrels and remains one of the most popular, if somewhat rowdy bars.

This is a big living city, and it doesn’t shut down.

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GETTING ABOUT Munich may well breathe BMW and be highly pedestrian-friendly but why be boring or predicable? Forget the German labels for once and get to the Bavarian capital on the autobahn in real style, driving a passion-red Volvo S90 D5 AWD R-Design Geartronic , with 19-inch alloy wheels. A real headturner with its big front grille and souped-up exhausts, this beautifully designed Volvo sports car isn’t loud or aggressive like an Italian racer but its quiet assertiveness, understated luxury and power will appeal to local German sensibilities. It is also one of the most intelligent cars around, with pedestrian, cyclist and large animal detection.

Beauty and brains! It has Pilot Assist for semiautonomous driving up to 130 km/h and visual park assistance, with cameras on all four points of the compass. The 2.0-litre in-line 4-cylinder twin-turbo diesel engine with PowerPulse technology isn’t too shabby either and it has an 8-speed automatic gearbox.

If you’ve drunk too much German beer, park your Volvo and take public transport which is excellent, with trams, buses and a subway – the u-bahn, and sub-urban trains – the S-bahn.

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COOLER CAPE TOWN Coolness is not something that can be bought or worn. Real cool is an attitude that is projected from places that are comfortable with their own reason for existing.

That place is Bree Street, in the CBD, which has surpassed Camps Bay, Long Street and Kloof Street as Cape Town’s coolest place to hang out.

Along this vibrant, spacious and smart street is the almost constant aroma of speciality coffees, promising sundowners

of all hues and scrumptious cuisine from the city’s up and coming food and drinks talent. From freshly made gourmet salads and quirky meat options served with universally smiling service, Bree Street is a super place to hang out.

Worth special mentions are Dapper Coffee Company, a haven of classic and exotic cars provide an artistic backdrop for your chilled-out lunch and drinks. Chefs Warehouse is worth a look, where canteenstyle tapas street food is served in a comfy, laid back space. Also Inside & You’re Out is famous for its smoky cheese-stuffed-patties, Southernstyle sauces and irresistible cheesecakes.

And if you happen to be there on the first Thursday of each month, you’ll be in for an extra treat, with a free cultural experience where art galleries and other cultural attractions stay open late and the trendy vibe is ratcheted up several notches.

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GETTING ABOUT

independence to explore the almost countless other attractions, like the incomparable winelands, the sparkling West Coast or even more food and wine options in Franschhoek, you’ll need more than peddle-power. We tried a big luxury saloon – the Jaguar XJ to ease through the Western Cape’s spectacular scenery and swooping blacktop carved from mountains above the sea. Unlike most other executive cars which tend to lack presence, the XJ has swooping lines and a snarling face, and it also puts a greater emphasis on driving thrills than its German rivals.

You also sit low and snug in the XJ, making it feel more like a sports saloon, which for many owners, that will be part of its appeal. Over almost a thousand kilometres, the XJ was terrific at

It is by riding a bike that you learn the contours of this city best, easing up the hills and coasting down them makes for a memorable experience. Head over to the Seapoint Pavilion and rent a bicycle to enjoy a gentle, relaxing pedal along Cape Town’s Atlantic Seaboard. The essentials – helmets and locks are included. http://upcycles.co.za Public transport has been substantially improved with the MyCiTi bus network. It’s an environmentally-friendly way to travel and is expanding across the city and improving access to travel and tourism linking the historic tourist playgrounds of the central city with a variety of major landmarks.

Or, if you’d like complete comfort and

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eliminating wind and road noise, and its seats offer sublime support on even the longest journeys.

For a blend of old-school luxury, fused with modern technology, this seriously rapid limousine musters a real turn of speed the instant you touch the throttle. Combined with a slick-shifting automatic gearbox this makes the XJ an effortless and desirable way to get about in style. Jaguar.co.za For a true limousine experience try the XJL, which is the long wheelbase version of the XJ with five inches of extra space devoted entirely to the backseat, making this the perfect

“passenger car�.

The performance is almost the same, with the typical growl of the Jaguar. The back seats are superbly comfortable, with touch screens to view movies on (the USB is neatly tucked into the arm rests), tray tables, a separate radio, heated seats with a back/neck massage facility and a moonroof. The interior looks like a quilted Chanel bag and passengers will experience the smoothest ride of their lives.

The driver has every comfort as well and can adjust his or her neck massage experience (lumbar, neck or spine) on the touchscreen.

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ALTERNATIVE LONDON

Just when you think there’s little left to write about London that has not been written, you stumble on so many new and forgotten places and experiences.

If you fancy yourself as the next Banksy, or just want to learn how to create a piece of spray can art in a safe, relaxed and fun environment, then Alternative London street art tour and graffiti workshops are a super way to experience the city in a themed alternative of East-end London Some of the World’s finest street art by Banksy, ROA, Shepard Fairey, Jimmy C, Invader, Stik and many more.

Then, after a refreshment break it’s back to the Alternative London workshop to try it for yourself! Regardless of artistic ability, you are taught spray-can techniques to build your own unique piece of street art. You can even paint your artwork onto a canvas bag or t-shirt to take home with you.

Inevitably, one tends to walk a lot in London – not because there are no suitable transportation links as they are many and varied, all comfortingly efficient – but because to walk is to truly experience the sound of multiple language forms,

incredible architectural heritage and almost unlimited trade in the bustling shops.

Consider strolling over to the HMS Tattershall Castle This vessel offers stupendous views of the Thames which, when combined with a selection of specialty gins or rums, and a wide-range of cocktails and comprehensive menu, can become a ‘pinch me to make sure this is real’ experience.

New events like Jazz on the River and The Boat Show Comedy Club, which runs every Friday and Saturday, add to the appeal.

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TRAVEL

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GETTING ABOUT Taking your own car into London is not advisable, but if you are interested in the iconic landmarks that London is so well known for, fashion, street art, or food, experience it with the well-run public transport.

Aside from multiple bus, under and over ground trains on offer from Transport for London, there are a multitude of bike-hire and London black cab options too.

Or, try Small Car Big City with one of their sensitively restored classic Mini Coopers with a passionate local guide so you can really live like a local for the day. Ancient Pubs, antique markets, designer shops, modern art, it’s all there to be seen from a guided Mini Cooper. Fancy re-enacting Michael Caine’s 1969 film, The Italian Job in London, rather than Turin? The really good stuff in London is often hidden away down quirky back streets and alleyways – places only a Mini can get to. And what could be more British than a classic Mini?

MOTORING

Created to defy conventional thinking about the luxury GT segment, the Aston Martin DBX Concept intends to widen the appeal of the brand and reaches to a more diverse global audience than ever before

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Top cars of 2018

MOTORING

Without dreaming or having leaps of imagination, we risk losing the excitement of what is possible, says RICHARD WEBB.

ABOVE: I recall with fondness my own ‘big Alfa Romeo’ of 1976 – an Alfetta 1750 – and I suspect this unofficial rendering of the new car may also end up being called an Alfetta too.

RIGHT: The new A6 is only planned for 2019.

2017 was an exciting year, with so many new car launches in South Africa and globally, I have almost lost count of the number of new, revised and improved cars I’ve driven in 2017. So, 2018 will see a pause in the constant stream of new cars. Except, it won’t of course, and this guide is to help prepare you for yet another array of new cars in 2018.

After all, dreaming is a form of planning, so if you love hatchbacks or supercars, there’s lots of choice to capture your imagination. Want an SUV, a load-lugger or sporty saloon? Choose from a bewildering choice of new offerings from Alfa Romeo to Volvo, with almost every marque in between.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Jaguar’s XF. Alfa are not known for excelling at big saloons, but their new-found form bodes well.

ALFA ROMEO

AUDI

The new Giulia is a great car, so I am on the edge of my seat waiting for their larger executive car to take on the might of BMW’s 5 Series, the

Audi will launch a blizzard of updates and new models for 2018. Don’t expect any radical departures in the way the cars look, but do

ASTON MARTIN Their first SUV is the outrageous DBX, along with an electric version for some markets will carve sales from rivals like Bentley’s unlovely looking but refined Bentayga and the Lamborghini’s Urus. A new Aston Martin Vanquish will be also debut at the pinnacle of the range and slotting in under that, the new Vantage takes the best of the DB11’s looks and features a new lightweight chassis, and a 4.0-litre V8 engine developed with Mercedes-AMG.

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Created to defy conventional thinking about the luxury GT segment, the Aston Martin DBX Concept intends to widen the appeal of the brand

WATCH HERE

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MOTORING

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High fashion meets brutal performance with Bentley’s Continental GT. BOTTOM LEFT: This unofficial rendering may reveal the future direction of Audi’s design language, but is obviously subject to change.

expect relentless advancements in what goes on under the sheet-metal.

I drove the new A8 in Germany recently and it is a showcase of what the brand can achieve and we can expect this to trickle down to ‘lesser’ Audi’s in the coming years. Some of the world’s most advanced autonomous systems will debut and we can expect more arresting looks than the current model when the quattro 3.0TFSI, 3.0 TDI, 4.0 BiTFSI, 4.0BiTFSI and 4.0 TFSI version in the S8 arrive in South Africa.

Locally, Toyota and Lexus will be very busy. Expect the Lexus NX, an RX L (7-seater) the LS and UX (compact SUV) in 2019, and an all-new Auris, and perhaps the super-sports car, probably called Supra, in 2019

The new Audi A1 uses a peppy 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol and a 1.5-litre diesel and petrol and will be all new under the skin, crammed with new technology and more space inside.

A new Audi A6 will break cover with not too much different to look at, but it will be fizzing with the latest kit. Power comes from plug-in hybrid, petrol or diesel and it will have Audi’s increasingly clever autonomousdriving technology.

And then there’s the A9 – probably based on their Prologue concept car –a glamorous two-door coupe to rival the Mercedes-Benz SL tree and the soon to be released BMW 8 Series.

BENTLEY Bentley’s biggest-selling car is the Continental GT and in 2018 we will it with lose some weight thanks to the use of Porsche’s Panemera chassis. Speculation suggests we could see a plug-in hybrid version – and a diesel alongside the 6.0-litre W12 and 4.0-litre V8. Soon after that, look out for the four-door Flying Spur and a hotter version of their Bentayga SUV.

MOTORING

BMW

GT, it didn’t find many takers so the company will replace it with a 6 Series GT for those who want style plus a 610-litre hatchback boot capacity.

The BMW 8 Series will make a very welcome return as a larger and more luxurious model swimming upstream to do battle with the MercedesBenz’ S-Class Coupé. This leaves the 6 Series free to go all sporty and chase after the Porsche 911 with a

The evergreen 3 Series will debut with weight savings of up to 100kg, which will make it go, stop and turn quicker whilst using less fuel. Lower priced models will feature the super three-cylinder 1.5-litre petrol engine, and a wide range of refined powerplants including all-electric and hybrid versions.

Meanwhile, as much as I liked their BMW 5 Series

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focused fast road car demeanour.

The new M5 will be every bit as desirable as it was back in 1985. Pull into the Pick n Pay car park or cross continents in a flurry, the car does everything you’d ask of it. Little comes close in setting the benchmark for performance saloon cars, and with its new four-wheel drive system, it will be even more accomplished.

Also expect a new X2 to keep Audi on their toes.

A sleekness of a coupe in an SUV guise, xDrive fourwheel drive we will inevitably see an M version to follow. If you need something a bit bigger, wait for the second-generation X4 also due in 2018 or, maybe the X7. This flagship SUV will push the company even more upmarket towards its Rolls-Royce Cullinan SUV cousin with a V12 in top-end models.

This motor-show rendition of what the BMW X7 could look like in second half of 2018 is to be a super-luxury 4x4.

MOTORING

BELOW: Driver-focus is at the heart of this family SUV, the Jaguar E‑PACE. RIGHT: The exact look of the new Land Rover Defender is not publicly known, but speculation like this rendering – complete with royal additions – will be as endearing as the last. When it arrives in 2019 it will be based on the aluminium architecture of the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport and Discovery.

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BOTTOM RIGHT: The Lexus LC500 is a striking sports GT, and a clear indication of where this increasingly exciting brand is headed.

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JAGUAR

the worlds’ first luxury 4x4, the Grand Wagoneer goes even further, competing with Porsche’s Cayenne and Range Rover Expect some parts to carry over from Maserati’s Levante including its 3.6-litre V8 and 3.0-litre diesel engines.

Lexus has always given buyers an alternative to the default German brands, and the fifthgeneration LS shares the same hybrid petrolelectric motor as the stunning Lexus LC 500h coupe. The Lamborghini Urus will be a super sports car living inside an SUV, with a 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine, four-wheel steering and electronic suspension dampers. Beyond 2018, it will also be the first Lamborghini to be offered with plug-in hybrid power.

F-Pace has been so well received, so welcome the new E-Pace which will try to carve out some character without straying too far from the great styling of its bigger brother. A choice of 2.0-litre diesel and petrol engines mated to a clever fourwheel drive system will be offered, alongside an entry-level version with front or four-wheel drive.

THE BEST OF THE REST The Land Rover Defender can’t come soon enough. Even more capable than before, it will share all the good bits from its siblings in the Land Rover arsenal and will feature a lightweight aluminium body and chassis. If the Wagoneer was

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