G E TA W AY
Bliss & Stars By Juliet Almendro
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estled in a valley amongst the breathtaking Cederberg mountains lies the Bliss & Stars Wilderness Retreat, which curates personalised experiences to encourage and inspire becoming present within oneself and one’s surroundings through meditation, movement, nourishment, naturedwelling, and astronomy. After years of living a high-paced, career-focused life, Daria and Heine Rasmussen rediscovered nature’s healing powers and decided that it was time for a change. In order to pursue a life brimming with nature’s goodness, they sold all their belongings and wandered throughout South Africa in search of a space to cultivate nature’s radical wellness powers, this time for all to enjoy. After just a few months, they stumbled upon the banks of the Doring River and knew immediately that it was the perfect place to build their new dream from the ground up. In their commitment to sustainability, they decided to only use solar-powered energy, efficient waste management systems, organic on-site produce, and a biodegradable skincare line to encourage guests to honour and respect the environment that nourishes and heals them. Bliss & Stars aims to mirror the natural surroundings in all offerings, and the menu is a perfect illustration of this ideology. The nutritious and wholesome, plant-based cuisine is designed to strengthen and nurture the mind-body connection. They only source local, highquality ingredients and run a rotational, seasonal menu. Each meal is enjoyed in a communal space, as they believe that coming together to share a meal with others inspires discussion and an exchange of ideas, as well as forming connections and a widened lens.
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connects us with others “Nothing and the universe like a night sky. Don’t forget to look up. “
- Heine Rasmussen, Bliss & Stars Co-founder
