Travelmagsa_Issue_27

Issue 27 • 1 September 2016

Destination of the Month – Walking on the Wild Side of South Africa

My French Cuisine Rendezvous – Special Feature with Fern of the Vine

Tourism for All – A City’s Challenge

The Olympics is not over – IKA Culinary Olympics

WIN

A Case of Hydro Coco Coconut water Travel | Tourism | Industry News | Food & Wine | Entertainment | Books 1

Travelmagsa - Finding Fabulous | Issue 27

EMAIL: info@idube.com

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info@lukimbi.com

WEBSITE: Lukimbi Safari Lodge: www.lukimbi.com • Idube Game Reserve: www Tel: +27 11 792 6165

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Fax: +27 11 792 5026

P.O.Box 2617, Northcliff, 2115, South Africa 2

Travelmagsa - Finding Fabulous | Issue 27

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Travelmagsa - Finding Fabulous | Issue 27

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From the Editor...

Publishers Details: Cherry Berry Blue Publishing SA cc, Johannesburg, South Africa

I don’t think there is anyone who is not over the moon, that the sun is shining, and Spring is upon us. I do fear that there may be another cold front, before we can truly celebrate in the sun, but at least we know it is close, and in the same breath the year too, is coming to a close. With that in mind everyone is planning their holidays, local and abroad; this issue takes you to the Wild Side of South Africa, and for those getting into the summer vibe indulge in What’s Hot for September. Trafalgar takes us to the Iberian Peninsula and exposes the Secret Language of Love, and Fern of the Vine shares with us her French Cuisine Rendezvous.

Publishing Editor: Justine Engelbrecht justine@findingfabulous.co.za Celll: 074 440 8668 Contact for all Editorial & Advertising enquiries.

This issue teases with interesting news, exhilarating events, shows and books. Don’t forget to enter to Win your Case of Hydro Coco Coconut Water just in time for summer.

Contributors in this Issue: Penelope Jolliffe – CT Freelance Writer Fern Ostrowick – Jnb Freelance Writer

Love Justine

Happy Spring Day!

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor rules, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the Love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38 – 39

Contents Lukimbi Safari Lodge

Editorial Design Concept, Production & Layout: Eye-4-Design • Eva Govender eva@eye-4-design.co.za 071 059 8301

e-Published 2016 © Monthly by Cherry Berry Blue Publishing SA cc.

All rights reserved. Travelmagsa Finding Fabulous is registered by Cherry Berry Blue Publishing SA - ISSN 2220 – 413X While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information in this 27th edition of TravelmagSA, no responsibility can be accepted for quality of goods and services supplied by advertisers and sponsors. The publisher accepts no responsibility for material submitted by any client for reproduction, in regard to all relevant laws and regulations.

Concept, text, covers and title of TravelmagSA is Copyright © and may not be reproduced by any process without the prior written permission of the publisher. The Publisher would like to thank all photographers, contributors, sponsors, advertisers and all parties involved for this exciting 27th edition.

INSIDE FRONT COVER

What’s Hot this Month 3

On The Cover:

Fern of the Vine – Food / Wine / Travel 4 Destination of the Month 6

Issue 27 25 • 1 •September Issue 1 July 2016 2016

Destination of the Month

Industry News 8

of the Month –Destination Walking on the Wild Side of South Africa Namaqualand

My French Cuisine Rendezvous – Special Feature with Fern of the Vine

Events 10 Special Feature - Fern of the Vine 12

Fern of the Vine & Explore Sideways

Tourism for All Safaris & Wine Whale Watching, – A City’s Challenge

The Olympics is not over CHINA

– IKA Culinary Olympics

Discover the Art of Tea and much more

Book Reviews 16 Theatre

InsidE Back Cover

Hydro Coco

Back Cover

WIN

International Travel 14

A week-end away with Cape Country Routes

WIN

R200 Voucher with Fern of the Vine & Explore Sideways

A Case of Hydro Tickets to the Franschhoek BastilleCoco Festival Coconut water

A Case of Hydro Coco Coconut water

Travel | Tourism | Industry News | Food & Wine | Entertainment | Books Travel | Tourism | Industry News | Food & Wine | Entertainment | Books

click here to Book Accommodation on our website

Read our Blog: www.findingfabulous.co.za for Latest Travel & Tourism News, Articles and Posts.

Follow us on

@JustFindFab and Like us on

/Travelmagsa Finding Fabulous

/Justine Engelbrecht Download or Print TravelmagSA: www.issuu.com • Download on Google Play:

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Travelmagsa - Finding Fabulous | Issue 27

W H AT ’ S H O T T H I S M O N T H

Café Royale launches new artisanal cocktail and tapas menu Visit the Café Royale, located at the pristine 5-star Cape Royale Luxury Hotel, they have launched an all new artisanal Images by Julia Janse Van Vuuren cocktail and delectable tapas menu. Incorporating a twist on the average cocktail, Café Royale now serves cocktails that are visually appealing and designed to create an experience for guests. New artisanal cocktail additions include The ‘La Dame Royale’ which comes in a little black box, as you open it the glistering pink light lights up the watermelon-infused cocktail in a stemless martini glass.

Each cocktail is presented in a completely different and

Discover the Best Tea Experiences at

The tapas menu incorporates some firm favourites like chilli poppers and vegetable spring rolls, but delicious items such as Jack Daniels chicken wings, grilled calamari with lemon aioli and Italian meatballs in marinara sauce are also found on the menu.

Evening hours are from 15:00 to 23:00 and Café Royale is the place to stop off at before heading to a night out on the town. Their “Beat the Traffic tapas promotion” is valid on Fridays only from 16:00 – 18:00 and will run through till the end of October. For more information, visit www.caperoyale.co.za.

InterContinental Hotels & Resorts

“There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.”

Henry James, “The Portrait of a Lady” From the first hint of its gentle aroma, to a sip of the subtle infusion, enjoying a cup of tea – is an experience so delightful yet refreshingly pure at the same time. The roots of tea trace back to the Shang Dynasty in China, third century AD. Gradually making its way to Western shores, tea was later popularised in Britain during the 17th century, when the British introduced tea production and consumption to India. There is no denying the quintessential role tea plays in our lives – be it to lift your spirits, or calm your soul. To celebrate this wonderful yet often overlooked luxury, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts uncovers the best tea experiences in the region.For a touch of old-world grandeur, the Lobby Lounge at InterContinental Sandton Towers combines colonial charm with South African heritage. Intricate, classical accents balance the sleek, modern interior, creating an ideal, elegant setting to take part in the ceremonial ritual of tea. Indulge in reinvented

Fugitives‘Drift &

unique way. The ‘build your own gin’ is also a unique twist on the average ‘gin on the rocks’. Guests can go as far as choosing their favourite brand of gin together with tonic flavour and garnish.

English classics that are sure to satisfy those with a discerning palate, such as delectable lemon raisin scones served with coffee and jams. Guests can pair their tea with exquisite delicacies from the all-day snack menu, or partake in an evening wind-down over cocktails. With an à la carte selection of teas, coffees and pâtisseries du jour, guests can take their tea with innovative creations carefully crafted by the pastry chefs, including chocolate tartlets, tarte aux pommes and gelatos.

Set against a pleasing backdrop of live music, soak in the relaxing ambience while taking in the late afternoon views of Sandton’s business district. A timeless ceremony that spans cultures worldwide, the allure of tea drinking lies in its very simplicity. www.ihg.com

Thanda Safari Launch Battlefields & Bush Package for 2017

Fugitives‘ Drift and Thanda Safari have created a unique selfdrive package for 2017 to combine the very best of these two great properties in KwaZulu-Natal. Guests can now spend two nights at Fugitives‘ Drift Lodge, which includes a tour to Isandlwana & Rorke’s Drift, including transport, entrance fees & refreshments, a 1.5hour horse ride, tea and coffee and Wifi, coupled with three nights at Thanda Tented Camp, including all safari activities, Zulu-inspired Monkey Apple Massage in the Spa, ‘In the Footsteps of

the Zulus’ tour, soft drinks, house wines, local spirits and beers available on evening game drives, pre-dinner and at dinner. This new package is on a full board basis.

Valid: 06 January - 14 April 2017 and 01 August - 20 December 2017, per person per package price is R29 330, per child 12–16 years sharing with 2 adults, an additional R9 710.

From 15 April - 31 July 2017 the price is R22 489 with an added child - R8,293.

Rate excludes travel between the properties.

For reservations contact: reservations@thanda.co.za.

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Fern of the Vine – Food, Wine, Travel

A

s a native of Johannesburg, I have to say that there’s one thing I envy about Capetonians. The Cape is one of the most beautiful places in the world, offering awe-inspiring sights, and visitors and locals alike are spoilt with spectacular unrivalled views, from sandy white beaches looking out onto the endless blue Atlantic Ocean, lofty mountain peaks shrouded in whirling mists, rolling green hills covered with grape vines, dense leafy forests and winding mountain passes, wedged between towering peaks and the crashing surf far below.

Rate Includes: Pick up and drop off from your accommodation in and around Cape Town, private guide/driver, drive over Chapman’s Peak, entrance fee to Boulder’s Beach, entrance fee to Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, 2 wine tasting.

Rate Excludes: lunch and gratuity.

This is the perfect time of year for the

Glorious

Gardens & Wine Tour, and the Cape Floral Region has been recognised as one of the most special places in the world for plants in terms of diversity, density and number of endemic species. A highly distinctive region which is regarded as one of the six Floral Kingdoms of the world and by far the smallest and most diverse.

Experience the Best Views of the Cape – Peninsula Tour & Tasting

with Explore Sideways to take you on a breath-taking journey through the winelands of the Cape. Capture picture-perfect photos from every angle of the incredible Western Cape, from the waves to the winelands. The highlights are numerous! Start on a tour of the breathtakingly beautiful Cape Peninsula with great spots to take photos. Cruise the famous Chapman’s Peak Drive, rated as one of the most scenic drives in the world. Visit Boulder’s Beach, home of the delightfully cheerful African penguin colony, before moving onto the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and Cape Point. Now that you have had time to build up a thirst it’s onto some wine tasting at Cape Point vineyards – complete with an ocean view. Then enjoy another wine tasting perched above the vineyards of the historic Constantia Valley with views across the bay to the Helderberg Mountain range.

This tiny protected region is home to more than 9 000 vascular plant species, of which 69% are endemic. Most species are found nowhere else on the planet. When the first European settlers landed in the Cape a few hundred years ago they must have recognised the untouched natural beauty of the fynbos. Evidence of this can be found in the establishment of many sprawling lush, manicured gardens – meant both for growing food to establish the Cape as a refreshment station and to beautify the landscape for the settlers who made the Cape their home. Explore Sideways Glorious Gardens & Wine Tour will treat you to explore some of the most beautiful and historic gardens in the Cape – celebrated for their breathtaking views and lush greenery while enjoying some great wines.

The tour starts with your pick up from your accommodation in and around Cape Town or The Company Gardens nestled in Cape Town’s CBD where some of the very first vines were planted in South Africa. Stroll through the famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, a fantastic representation of South Africa’s unique fauna and flora (including indigenous

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Fern of the Vine – Food, Wine, Travel fynbos). Next on the itinerary is a tour of the historic Vergelegen Wine Estate to taste their award-winning wines and walk through its stunning gardens. Indulge in a delicious lunch at Cavalli, set against the backdrop of the estate’s magnificent (and also indigenous) ‘tapestry’ of gardens designed by Keith Kirsten. Another wine tasting awaits at Babylonstoren as well as a walk through their diverse gardens, inspired by the Company’s Garden in Cape Town. Stock up on lush, green memories of the winelands and superb wine.

Rate Includes: Pick up and drop off from your accommodation in and around Cape Town, private guide/driver, entrance fee to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, entrance to Babylonstoren Garden, 3 wine tastings.

Rate Excludes: lunch and optional visits.

Explore Sideways offers a collection of Sideways tours that are outfitted for discerning travellers looking to experience unique and unforgettable moments.

All the tours are Sideways approved, which means that you are ensured to benefit from their teams years of experience, in both the wine and events industry, allowing guests insider access to exceptional artisan wineries, culinary delights, barrel tastings and access to private estates and gardens. They treat every private date tour as a personalised event, and consider everything, even down to the perfect seats in the tasting room. Whether you are looking to indulge in the views or stroll in the gardens, or are a discerning connoisseur, they have an accredited guide that is waiting to share in your passion, and show you the incredible sights of South Africa.

Do not miss out on this fabulous offer only available till 1 November 2016

R200 off any full day private tour booked with Explore Sideways. Providing the opportunity to experience the South African Winelands like never before. Quote the unique voucher code “fernofthevine” when securing your booking.

E-mail: info@exploresideways.com or call +27 (0)21 201 6424.

Quote “fernofthevine” for your discount of R200 and Enjoy! www.exploresideways.com

LOCAL TRAVEL

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D e stination of th e M onth

Walking on the

Wild Side of South Africa

By Penelope Jolliffe

Eastern Cape province: Beach near the village of Keimouth, where the Kei River flows into the sea, on the Wild Coast.

Photo: Rodger Bosch, MediaClubSouthAfrica.com.

T

he Wild Coast, with its tempestuous seas, shipwrecks, secret lagoons and unruly wilderness, is situated between the Mtamvuna River in the north, and the Great Kei River in the South. It has a magnificent coast line of rugged cliffs and rock faces, rivers and valley’s set between lush green hills, uninhabited and untamed beaches and concealed inlets that stretch for kilometers into the distance.

Practically 200 km’s of this gorgeous coastline is almost inaccessible, if you are a hiking enthusiast, love horseback riding, or are a surfer in search of an extraordinary waves

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Travelmagsa - Finding Fabulous | Issue 27

hidden away in one of the bays, you will be one of the few to experience this desolate and beautiful part of the world.

Summers’ bring hot, sunny, sultry days, ideal for beach lovers and outdoor enthusiasts, creating the sense of euphoria and has a soporific and languid effect on a person, which is called Pondoland Fever; the relaxed and laid back style of living the locals enjoy. There is varied accommodation to choose from, thatched rondavel hut with the local Xhosa people in their village, backpackers, resorts and hotels. Destinations include Coffee Bay, Mazeppa Bay, Hole-in-the-wall - Wild Coast’s most

D e stination of th e M onth

e province:

Eastern Cap

e Bay, on the

all, near Coffe Hole in the W

Wild Coa

m

outhAfrica.co

h, MediaClubS

dger Bosc st. Photo: Ro

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”

– Nelson Mandela

famous landmark, a sandstone cliff with an enormous hole in the middle - Mngazana, Port St Johns which is a former frontier town built on the great Umzimvubu River the Xhosa name for ‘home of the hippopotamus’, has kept some of its colonial culture, and Kei River Mouth, which is the old border between South Africa and the former homeland of Transkei. Xhosa people are very friendly, the women usually dress in colourful clothes, and the men smoke long-stemmed clay pipes, which has long been a tradition. A day can be spent with the locals in a Xhosa village, learning how to cook and harvest food, while the men go sea fishing and collect fresh oysters and mussels

on the rocks. On the two hour hike from Coffee Bay to Holein-the-wall, you will see some of the beautiful waterfalls, cliffs and forest scenery, where the vegetation is dense and prehistoric cycads, sneezewood and yellowwood trees, and birds and animals known as the big five; ‘the cow, sheep, goat, pig and donkey,’ live.

The Wild Coast is the destination of memorable holidays for the whole family and no matter which venue you choose, along the coast, if you are looking for a little adventure then this destination is for you.

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IDne dstination u str y N e ws of th e M onth

The Olympics is not over…

A

team of men and women in chef’s whites will be flying the South African flag when they compete against 32 nations in the IKA Culinary Olympics in Erfurt, Germany, from 22 - 25 October this year. The teams will have six hours to prepare their three-course menu to serve 110 people.

“The IKA Culinary Olympics is the oldest and most prestigious global culinary competition; an event that, like the sporting Olympics, takes place only once every four years. The South African National Culinary Team is honoured to participate once again. We have been hard at work for four years, finetuning and practicing our Olympic menu to prepare ourselves for one of the toughest challenges on the culinary calendar,” explains the manager of South African National Culinary Team, Heinz Brunner (Operations Manager of Circle Foods).

The Chefs on the South African National Culinary Team are; Henrico Grobbelaar of Southern Sun The Cullinan; Dion Vengatass of Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel; Blake Anderson of 3SIXTY and Billy G, Montecasino; Trevor Boyd of Michelangelo Hotel; Minette Smith of HTA School of Culinary Art; Kirstin Hellemann of Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel and Arno Ralph of Lindt & Sprungli SA.

“A strong show of support and interest on social media by our fellow South Africans and foodies will give our team a tremendous boost towards bringing home the gold.

Messages of encouragement should include the hashtag #SAOlympicChef,” adds Brunner. The South African National Culinary Team brought back a gold medal in the Hot Kitchen section in 2008 – the first gold to be won by South Africa in 16 years. In the same year, the team was awarded the official South African team status by the Department of Arts and Culture’s Bureau of Heraldry.

The South African National Culinary Team’s Olympic Hot Kitchen menu features: • Cape Crayfish ‘Malay’ – poached crayfish, pressed carrot terrine, carrot mayonnaise and Malay curry sauce.

• Springbok ‘Masakhane’ – panroasted loin of springbok, rolled veal sweetbreads, red cabbage and cider purée, savoy cabbage and Boulangére potato.

• Textured Splash of Raspberry, Rose, Coconut & White Chocolate – coconut sand, coconut sorbet, coconut sponge, rose jelly, rose meringue, raspberry mousse, and raspberry jelly.

IKA Culinary Olympics Chefs with TravelmagSA Finding Fabulous Editor and other Media guests at their final presentation lunch at Michelangelo Hotel Sandton.

Advisors to the team include Garth Shnier, Nodal Executive Chef of Sandton Sun and InterContinental Johannesburg Sandton as well as being responsible for culinary innovation at Sandton Convention Centre, who is a member of the World Association of Chefs Societies Culinary Guidelines Committee (advisor on competition rules, guidelines and cold kitchen); David Higgs, Chef Patron of Marble Restaurant (hot kitchen advisor); and Martin Kobald, owner of ChefMLK School of Cooking (international trends and judging).

In the spirit of the wording on the team emblem “Masakhane” - which means let’s build each other – the nation is invited to follow their journey to the IKA Culinary Olympics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram #SAOlympicChef.

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The South African National Culinary Team will be participating in the IKA Culinary Olympics under the auspices of the South African Chefs Association. The team’s participation has been made possible through the generous sponsorship of headline sponsor LSC/Imperial; along with partners City Lodge Hotel Group, ChefWorks, Turn ‘n Slice, Global Knives and N1 Restaurant Suppliers.

To follow their journey go to:

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Instagram: @CulinaryTeamSA

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I n d u str y N e ws

Tourism for All - A City’s Challenge

U

niversal Access is being celebrated during Tourism Month in September 2016. Cape Town Tourism is advocating for a ‘Tourism for All’ approach where everyone, regardless of their abilities, can enjoy the tourism industry in Cape Town. In addition, inclusivity irrespective of financial capacity is to be encouraged, so that even disadvantaged individuals can enjoy tourism attractions and experiences in their own city. Transformation goes hand-in-hand with Universal Access.

It requires a change in the mind-set of the approach to tourism and in how it is delivered. Accessible products and services improve the quality of the tourism offering and speak to both responsible and sustainable tourism.

It is important to look at each component and how this impacts on the individual/s travelling. The standard tourism journey looks like this:

Universal Access in tourism speaks to ensuring the inclusion of people with a disability, the elderly, pregnant women, people with kids and carrying heavy loads, as well as people that have a short term impairment due to sickness or accident.

Cape Town is world renowned tourist destination. In a drive to allow everyone the right to discover and enjoy the magic of Cape Town, access to all facilities is being addressed. UA is a way of thinking that eliminates barriers and makes things easier to use. It is a way of designing things that are accessible and user-friendly for human diversity, social inclusion and equality. This includes the built environment, but also the way information is displayed and communicated, how products are designed and environments made usable. The inclusion of the above group of people is an exceptional business opportunity.

Providing access at each component of the travel journey is key to ensuring access is embraced.

• Stimulation, planning and anticipation: staff should be well trained to address the various needs of all potential clients. Websites should be accessible and information made available in a variety of forms.

• Ease of booking: booking at a tourism venue or of a product and service should be easy to do, and booking services simple to use.

• Travelling to the destination: there needs to not only be transport to the destination but various options for transport including accessible transport.

• The destination experience: everything at a destination should be accessible including the rooms, the restaurants, all products and services, wine tasting rooms, boat trips, trails, nature hides etc.

• Going home: getting home should be easy to do and should accommodate everyone.

• Recollection of the experience: this is where the product or service is evaluated and where a first time tourist is converted into a loyal supporter and either promotes the tourism product or not.

It is of paramount importance that the tourism industry appreciates the components that contribute towards a positive experience. The principles of independence, equity and dignity underpin this. These can be achieved through the support of a universal access expert and require a comprehensive understanding of universal design and destination management processes.

Information kindly supplied by Amor Malan, Project Manager, African Centre for Universal Access

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Ev e nts

H

orseracing fans have traditionally flocked to the coast for the big race days in Durban and Cape Town. For the first time ever on 10 November, Turffontein Racecourse will host a lavish and sophisticated night-time race event known as Equinity.

Horseracing’s Most Exhilarating and Glamorous Event Launches in Johannesburg This November, the grand and historic Turffontein Racecourse will be transformed into a wonderland with the launch of the first ever SA Equinity extravaganza – Illuminessence www.equinity.co.za

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Equinity is an extravagant show and performance, built around, and incorporated into, night-time horseracing. This world class entertainment will include aerial acts and purpose-built sets to create a mystical world, with an extraordinary audio-visual production to enthral the crowds after the final race.

“We believe we can surprise and create awe through what we do. We take people on an emotional journey using music, entertainment, cuisine, performance, and art. And we will do this at a place you would least expect it – under the stars at a night-time horseracing event,” says Angus Campbell, CEO of Events Management Company Campbell and Campbell.

Using the powerful energy of thoroughbred racehorses as a backdrop, Equinity will be a spectacular journey, which will begin with a fine-dining experience and culminate in these extraordinary performances.

Equinity inverts every element of the traditional horserace experience, as guests become participants, rather than mere spectators.

Visitors can take part in exciting themes, interact through dress-up, and continually discover new elements.

Ev e nts Each year a new themed show will transforms grand, historic, horseracing arenas into an interactive, experiential fantasyland. Vivid and eclectic lighting shows, amplified sounds, and performances will be curated to deliver a powerful experience. “We are very excited to be the first to host Equinity in South Africa and cannot wait to show a new audience the beauty and intensity of racing when they experience this event for the first time,� adds Clyde Basel, Racing Executive at Phumelela Gaming and Leisure Limited.

Illuminessence, the first equinity production in South Africa, takes place on 10 November 2016 at Turffontein Racecourse. There are two packages on offer, priced at R795 per person and R2 200 per person.

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F e rn of th e V in e – S p e cial F e at u r e

My French Cuisine

Rendezvous T

he national dish of France is bread (pain) and their national drink is of course wine (vin). I always thought this to be an exaggerated stereotypical portrayal of French life, but after returning from a two week trip to the world’s most visited country, I was surprised to find that this is exactly the case. Almost every person walking down the street carrying their shopping has a baguette or two sticking out of their bag with bottles of wine clinking against each other. It took us less than a day after arriving in Paris and my husband and I were doing the same thing. Of course we also had a round or two of delicious Camembert or Brie tucked inside the bag.

Food and wine is mostly purchased fresh, in season and almost daily and most French families have tiny refrigerators to store just a few basics. The advent of large supermarkets, weekly grocery shopping and large refrigerators is still a fairly new concept. Wine and bread can be purchased just about everywhere there is literally a boulangerie (bakery) and a wine shop on just about every corner - and you will only find that processed sliced stuff in plastic bags that passes for bread in the “international section” of the supermarket.

Bread is a staple that you get with every meal in a restaurant - slices of baguette to mop up sauces and jus. However even though the French have a love affair with butter, they don’t eat it on bread and they will

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usually only provide it if you ask for it or if they know tourists frequent the place. The best way to test if the bread is good?

1. It’s so hard that you can beat someone to death with it.

2. It stabs your palate while chewing.

Each region in France we travelled through has vastly different regional specialities and cuisine with each local dish pairing perfectly with that regions wine style. From peasant fare like cassoulet (Slow cooked casserole of pork and white beans) or socca (pancakes made with chickpea flour, olive oil and water), to the more famous dishes like moules marinière, coq au vin or boeuf bourguignon we tasted as much regional food and wine as we could and my tastebuds celebrated.

Chocolateries and divine artisanal ice cream (glace) in any flavour you can possibly imagine is huge and stalls selling crepes filled with evil and decadent filling have family sized jars of Nutella lining every available shelf, stacked on top of each other. Needless to say we indulged in these treats almost daily.

Wine is as important as water in France and you will be served both at every meal. We strolled through a typical village Saturday morning market in the main square where we picked up a few bottles of the local wine as well as delicious fresh fruit and vegetables, baguettes, local cheese, garlic butter roasted chicken, foie gras

F e rn of th e V in e – S p e cial F e at u r e

and pastries which we enjoyed picnic style. This is the best (and cheapest) way to eat your way around France. Even though the French are known for their gourmet chefs and fine dining, this is not the way the man on the street eats. Traditional French dishes are simple, using only a handful of ingredients with butter, garlic and herbs and taste incredible. I believe this is why French and Italian cuisine is still the most loved in the the Western world. Often over-complicating the recipe and preparation just confuses the tastebuds and makes wine pairing almost impossible.

Drinks are just as important as the meal itself starting with an aperitif like champagne or a kir Royal before the meal, with red and white wine to accompany the entrees and main meal, ending with a digestif like cognac or Armagnac. The French working week is 35 hours with most employees getting a two hour lunch daily - from 12 to 2pm.

At noon many shops close their doors and restaurants are crammed full of businessmen lazily lunching with open bottles of wine on their tables. We were warned not to sit down to lunch without telling the waiters we were in a hurry, because they assume you will be there for at least two hours so service is slow.

Driving through some of the big wine regions of Burgundy, Champagne, Provence, Bordeaux and the Loire valley, the views are like picture postcards. Perfect lines of grapevines, standing like soldiers on parade, planted in every single available inch of land which is dotted with ancient and crumbling stone farmhouse and tiny cobblestoned villages. We had the privilege of visiting the gorgeous village of St. Émilion, named after the virtuous hermit monk who lived out his days in a cave under the current village during the 8th century, said to be the site of the first vineyards in France, planted by the Romans as early as the 2nd century.

The region is a UNESCO World Heritage site - Roman walls, battle ruins of medieval buildings from the many English/French wars and a beautiful monolithic church carved into the underground cave under the village which dates to the 12th century are all within walking distance of each other. The monks who preceded St. Émilion started the commercial wine production in the area, which today is still a famous Bordeaux wine appellation. Outside the village we toured the vineyards of Chateau Champion, a small family run vineyard (8th generation) who still make wine in much the same way as it was done centuries ago. There is little technological intervention when it comes to wine making. Grapes are still picked and sorted by hand for example and the whole family is involved, from grandparents and inlaws to the youngest able-bodied child. It’s a hands on approach, the final product being a labour of love and each a unique expression of the terroir.

You can pick up decent wine fairly cheaply in France from a supermarket, but converting back to Rand even a “cheap” bottle costs much more than what it would in South Africa. Restaurant prices for a glass or bottle are insanely expensive and only the privileged few would be able to even think of affording one bottle of a first growth grand cru like a Château Petrus or Margaux. Of the wines we did taste we never had a shocker, but in South Africa we are spoilt with reasonably priced wines of exceptional quality and our tour guide told us a secret... Most Frenchmen prefer the new world wines of South Africa, Australia and the USA - something they don’t like to admit. After drinking some wonderful French wines, I have a new appreciation for South African wines (and their prices!). I brought home two or three good bottles to squirrel away in my cellar to enjoy later as well as a few extra kilos and most importantly some incredible memories. The French have it right, it’s those simple pleasures of bread, cheese and wine that are the best.

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I nt e rnational T rav e l

A secret language of

Love!

T

hey’re used to convey a myriad of emotions, can be found in a multitude of styles and colours to express your sense of fashion and style, they can also be used for propaganda purposes and we’ve all used one at some time or another.

Queen Victoria deemed it an invaluable accessory for a proper lady, the Japanese invented the folding version and the Egyptians use them to keep their Pharoahs cool. They can be fine, fancy, folded, rigid or pleated. An accessory that is at home in cultures from the West to the East and with a language of its own you’ll find the fan is not just for decoration or to keep one cool.

The humble fan carries a secret language all of its own and in Spain it is called ‘abanico’. For centuries ladies have been using the fan to express a range of emotions or signal important messages. Trafalgar uncovers the secret language of the fan.

If a lady wishes to signal to the man trying to woo her that she is available she will open the fan facing up and place it coquettishly (in her left hand) gently against her chin. If the lady places the open fan over her heart she is signaling that the man has won her love, and to signal that she is open to a kiss she will put the fan handle up to her lips.

A saucy way to show that the lady would like the man to buy her a drink would be to circle the rim of the glass with the tip of a closed fan. Of course if our lovely lady does not wish to further acquaint herself with the suitor she can send him a range of signals that are quite unmistakable.

By holding the closed fan up, pointed towards her left ear she is effectively telling the chap to leave her alone. If he still doesn’t get the message she can slowly wave her fan facing downward on the left hand side to show that she belongs to another. If that doesn’t work then drawing the closed fan through her hand will say in no uncertain terms: “I hate you!” It couldn’t be plainer.

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Travelmagsa - Finding Fabulous | Issue 27

I nt e rnational T rav e l Get travelling to Iberia Trafalgar has a wonderful range of guided holidays that will uncover the Iberian Peninsula like no other, and with the national airline set to resume Johannesburg-Madrid flights from 1 August connectivity to this amazing country is bound to improve.

Explore every side of Andalusia, including its Moorish twist, and visit the principal Spanish cities of Madrid, Seville and Barcelona – with passionate experts on every encounter.

The Spanish Wonder is priced at R19 485 per person twin share on Trafalgar’s Preview Special. Guests get to book their 2017 holiday at 2016’s prices with a 10% discount.

Pay a deposit of R3000 within 7 days of booking to secure this deal and your space and the balance by 30 September to get an extra 10% off. All past guests receive an extra 5% discount if they have travelled on any of The Travel Corporation sister brands.

The Spanish Wonder guided holiday includes 8 nights’ accommodation with hot buffet breakfast daily, four dinners (including a Be My Guest dinner in Andalusia), city tours in Toledo, Madrid, Cordoba, Seville and Barcelona, orientation of Valencia, visit to the Synagogue and Santo Tomé in Toledo, Mosque of the Caliphs in Cordoba, Cathedral in Seville, the Alhambra Palace in Granada, Montjuïc hill and Placa Catalunya in Barcelona, views at the Cave Homes of Guadix, the Serrano and Quart Towers and the City of Arts and Sciences complex designed by Santiago Calatrava in Valencia.

Trafalgar guests will travel in a luxury air-conditioned coach with WiFi and enjoy hand-picked Insider Experiences such as the Cultural Insight in Toledo where we see local craftsmen at work and the Local Specialists who will bring the destination to life. An expert Travel Director and separate Driver will also ensure that every detail is seamless and all porterage is taken care of.

www.trafalgar.com

Claudio Castelucho (1870−1927)

Images courtesy of Trafalgar

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international TRAVEL LUX* Resorts and Hotels helps people celebrate life by delivering consistently on the promise of a different kind of luxury; hospitality that is Lighter Brighter. Star ratings are all very well but we do more than tick boxes in the way conventional resorts and hotels do.

Traditional classifications may hint at excellent service and first-rate facilities but it’s the surprises, together with the spontaneity and sincerity of our team members that inspires so many of our guests to keep coming back. Since luxury means different things from person to person, we focus on perfecting the priorities.

So share in our experiences with our Reasons to Go: Start the day with our special blend of coffee, connect mind, body and soul with the LUX* Me approach to wellbeing, indulge in the bursting flavours of our home-made ice cream or explore the grounds and find our message in a bottle, holding a surprise just for you.

Island Light Holidays • 011 770 7821 info@islandlightholidays.co.za www.Luxresorts.com

b oo k r e vi e ws Discover the beauty of South Africa with MapStudio’s newly released

Visitor’s Guide Flower Route

These books feature a pictorial journey of 50 key landscapes and sites around Cape Town and Johannesburg & Pretoria, with stunning photography by Paul Bruins and Peter Primach. These books are great keepsakes for tourists, local and make wonderful gifts for family and friends. Books available in all leading book stores and online at www.mapstudio.co.za, as well as from our friendly telesales consultants on 0860 10 50 50.

Welcome to the greatest wild flower show on earth with MapStudio’s newly released Visitor’s Guide Flower Route.

This guide explores the coast north of Cape Town when 3,500 species burst into bloom in the veld during the sexiest part of their reproduction cycle. Of course it all depends on when the rain comes. Whether you are a happy-snapper type of tourist or a more serious flower lover with botanical leanings, a visit to the flowers will lighten the heart, lift the spirit and pique the curiosity. The guide combines visual inspiration with practical advice on where to see the best wild spring flowers, starting with early bloomers in late July to September’s spectacular landscapes and October’s lesser-known gems.

There is also a great overview map as well as flower-spotting tips, identification of each flower, wildlife alerts, tourist spots, accommodation, flower etiquette and the protection of flowers. This guide is a fantastic keepsake for anyone who enjoys leaving the city life behind, and is light-weight for tourists to take back home as their travel memento. “A flower is a leaf, mad with love” – Goethe

Retail Price: R200.00 per book.

R195.00, ISBN: 978-1-77026-857-9

50 Portraits of Cape Town and 50 Portraits of Johannesburg & PRetoria

All I can say is Yum and bring on summer and Braai’s, there are definitely some dishes here worth trying!

WEBER HOT & SPICY

WEBER MEDITERRANEAN

– Jamie Purviance Weber Hot & Spicy is a straightforward guide to cooking mouthwateringly tasty dishes that have been given a lift by chillies and spices. South Africans love spicy food, especially when it is hot off the braai and washed down by our favourite cold beverage. Master griller Jamie Purviance’s recipes are simple to follow and take the guesswork out of cooking with chillies and spices. But the recipes are not only about cranking up the heat. There are plenty of fragrant spices on the menu, too. Handy tips provide advice where it is needed, and the short introduction covers how to prepare chillies, and what equipment you need for efficient braaiing. Also included is information on where different chillies rank on the ‘heat scale’.

– Jamie Purviance South Africans love the flavours of the Mediterranean: olive oil, lemons, herbs, vine-ripened tomatoes, fragrant spices, fresh seafood and succulent grilled meats get us excited. In Weber Mediterranean, master griller Jamie Purviance explores the cuisine of the region. Jamie’s recipes are simple to follow and take the guesswork out of braaiing, while his handy tips provide advice where it is needed. The short introduction includes how to make flat breads and kebabs, and what equipment you need for efficient braaiing. Also included are cooking charts for fish and shellfish, lamb, beef, pork, poultry and vegetables.

ISBN: 978-1-43230-518-5 • RRP: R170.00

ISBN: 978-1-43230-704-2 • RRP: R170.00

UNDERSTANDING LCHF: Why do we get fat and what can we do about it? – Martina Johansson

I must say I found this book by Swedish biophysicist, fitness athlete and low-carb nutrition expert Martina Johansson quite interesting, and easy to understand, even though it includes complex biochemistry – she proves how the LCHF or ketogenic diet actually works and is healthy, if followed correctly, and tailored to your individual needs. Understanding LCHF is the key to: * LOSING WEIGHT * LOOKING TERRIFIC *FINDING NEW ENERGY * STAYING HEALTHY or IMPROVING YOUR HEALTH. The book gives you the tools to achieve all of this without complicated meal plans and tedious exercise routines. However she include a chapter on fitness training and another with relevant recipes. She inspires in closing by saying “Everything you do matters, because you matter, your thoughts, feelings and actions, have a great impact on yourself as well as your surroundings.”

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ISBN: 978-1-43230-625-0 Travelmagsa - Finding Fabulous • | RRP: Issue R220.00 27

th e atr e Unprecedented demand brings Cirque Éloize iD back to SA – “iD makes its Cape Town debut then returns to the Teatro for the Festive Holidays”

When Cirque Éloize iD (pronounced Sirk-ehl-waz eye-dee) made its South African debut at Montecasino’s Teatro in 2014, audiences were literally blown away by this bewildering high-energy production that blends breathtaking acrobatics and street dance. Word spread quickly and “iD” became the hottest ticket in town. Owing to critical acclaim and rave reviews, “iD” sold out fast, thereby creating an unprecedented demand for its return. Cirque Éloize iD is back! This popular show makes its Cape Town debut at Artscape on Wednesday, 16 November 2016 for a limited season of just 15 performances, ending on Sunday, 27 November 2016. Thereafter, Cirque Éloize iD returns to Montecasino’s Teatro on Wednesday, 30 November 2016, running until 24 December 2016. There are special midweek show times and matinees scheduled during peak holiday season. Tickets are on sale at Computicket.Directed

by Jeannot Painchaud and brought to South Africa by leading local promoter, Showtime Management, Cirque Éloize’s iD has been enjoyed over the past seven years by more than 1 million spectators in nearly 950 performances in almost 100 cities across the globe in 23 countries.

A high-energy blend of circus arts and urban dance, iD is a production for the young at heart featuring an inspiring soundtrack and innovative video projections. Acrobats, aerialists, a trial biker, and hip hop and break dancers come together to create a microcosmic society where two groups celebrate everyone’s distinct identity. There’s speed, power and a cacophony of sounds as everything comes together in the unprecedented spectacular trampoline-finale. The show’s energy and poetry will surpass the expectations of audiences and is guaranteed to leave them in awe. In 2014 City Buzz enthusiastically remarked, “From the first siren wail to its astonishing trampoline finale, Cirque Éloize iD shocked, amused and enthralled as it brought the wonders of the circus to a contemporary audience.” The Tonight praised the performers; “They’re using their heads to appeal to their peers and in the same space, attracting audiences for the sheer spectacle of their striking showmanship.”

My Fat Friend

A comedy written by Charles Laurence, directed by André Odendaal and presented by Pieter Toerien and Kosie Smit. Starring muchloved funny man TOBIE CRONJE My Fat Friend will be on stage in Johannesburg and Cape Town later this year.

Charles Laurence’s (1931-2013) London and Broadway hit comedy My Fat Friend is the story of an overly large Vicky (Michelle Botha) who owns a successful bookshop in London’s Hampstead. She guzzles comfort food and chocolate to make up for her somewhat boring existence. She good-humouredly suffers the slings and arrows of her friend and lodger, the not-so-young Henry (Tobie Cronjé), while failing to notice that her other tenant, James (Jeremy Richard), worships her from afar. A stranger, a handsome man of thirty, one day stumbles into her bookshop looking for a travel book as he is on the verge of departing for Iran on a four month working engagement. The man, Tom (Charlie Bouguenon), strikes up a conversation with Vicky – who seems unable to comprehend that Tom is unperturbed by her weight. The two completely hit it off and agree to keep in touch while Tom is away and resume where they left matters when Tom returns. Loving nothing more than to meddle in Vicky’s affairs, Henry suggests to her that she should lose weight during Tom’s absence and knock his socks off when he returns to London. Aided by Henry and James, hard exercise, diet and a graph she manages to reduce to a streamlined version of her former self – only to realise it was her rotundity that attracted Tom in the first place.

Pieter Toerien’s Montecasino Theatre: 7 September – 2 October 2016 Pieter Toerien’s Theatre on the Bay: 9 – 26 November 2016 Bookings: www.computicket.co.za

event

“The runaway success of the show’s first season in 2014 says it all – this is a unique and massively exciting show for the whole family,” says Hazel Feldman of Showtime Management who added, “This mind-blowing fusion of new theatrical circus and urban dance is an absolute must “do” on every year-end calendar!” iD features a cast of 15 acrobats and performers, and incorporates innovative multimedia elements, as well as a rock and electronica inspired soundtrack created by composers Jean-Phi Goncalves and Alex McMahon. In Cirque Éloize’s iD, acrobatic disciplines are combined with the energy of hiphop and street dances, giving a fresh and high octane spin to modern circus. The show’s Director, Jeannot Painchaud says, “It is with great pleasure that we bring this urban tale, filled with color, passion and energy to Cape Town for the very first time. We are also pleased to be back in Johannesburg where we played to packed houses in 2014.”

ID is now Cirque Éloize’s biggest international success. Seven years after its first presentation, it still moves people, and differentiates itself from others with its energy and edginess.” It’s like no other show ever seen before in South Africa. You don’t want to miss it! Book now at Computicket by calling 0861 915 8000, visit www.computicket.com or your nearest Computicket service centre. For more information, visit www.showtime.co.za stay current on the latest news through social media on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

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REAL COCONUT WATER 5 lucky Johannesburg readers can WIN a case of Tell us why you would like to try Hydro Coco, along with your name and address and email justine@findingfabulous.co.za to WIN.

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Travelmagsa - Finding Fabulous | Issue 27