Exploring the Magaliesberg region can be a lot of fun! It offers excitement as well as relaxation - depending on your mood. Plus, there are some very interesting and out-of-the ordinary bed and breakfast venues to visit - one of them being La Provence d'Afrique. A unique concept of seven French Provence style suites built inside the old stone studio of well-known sculptor Charles Gotthard, La Provence d'Afrique is set in six acres of luscious gardens situated close to the Magalies River.
|
We checked into La Provence d'Afrique one Saturday morning, before being ushered to our La Rose suite - beautifully attired in French Provence style, gorgeous hand-embroidered linen, ball-and-claw bath and an exquisite stain glass window.
Within the old stone studio, each four-poster bed suite leads out onto an enclosed French cobble-stoned street café, where during the winter months, dinner is served. Each suite also offers a fireplace - or if one wants to be more sociable; one can relax at the large fireplace at the end of the enclosed French street café.
Before setting out to explore activities in the Magaliesberg vicinity, we enjoyed an excellent wine and cheese platter at the old vintage 'chef' truck, parked outside the stone studio.
Sunday morning we felt like taking it easy by just relaxing and decided to have a hot-stone body massage at the ZEN Forest spa - situated at the bottom of the gardens and overlooking the Magalies River. The spa is built on a wooden deck with a splash pool, and offers a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere.
Breakfast is more like a brunch affair and is served on the lawns of the stone-clad manor house belonging to the Gotthard family. Along with our picnic basket, blanket and Sunday newspapers we quickly headed for a spot under the shade of willows and oaks alongside the river - a very nice relaxing way to start the day!
We found La Provence d'Afrique to be an out of the ordinary experience, however, we did find the lack of privacy between the rooms a little disturbing, as we were kept awake most of the night by the snoring of the person occupying the room next door to us!
One of our outings was a visit to In the Gorge, set in the scenic Hekpoort Valley, at the foot of the Cradle of Humankind. Their emphasis is on family adventure outings and their activities are structured so that the whole family can participate in a fun day. In the Gorge has the advantage of being situated between the Magaliesberg and the Witwatersberg mountains and is surrounded by wildlife sanctuaries.
We decided to take up the Quad Bike Trail, which came with the very competitent guide Wally, who is also the owner of In the Gorge. This is a highly recommended experience and is suitable for all ages - we were informed that the week prior a woman of 80 had completed the trail!
There is just so much to see and do in the Magaliesberg region; a visit to the Sterkfontein Caves; hiking, mountain biking, horse riding, hot-air ballooning; tree-top canopy tours, microlighting; trout fishing or visiting the elephant sanctuary and cheetah centre - there's certainly something for everyone to do.
For information on Provence d'Afrique contact 0145 771126 or visit www.outofafrica@telkomsa.net
For info on what to do in and around Magaliesberg visit www.magaliesmeander.co.za
For further information on In the Gorge contact Wally 0827827247
|
|
|
