The Blue Train - Cape Town to Pretoria

Picture yourself gliding through some of South Africa's most breathtaking landscapes, all while being pampered in the lap of luxury. The Blue Train offers this and more as it traverses the 994-mile journey between Cape Town and Pretoria. In this blog post, we invite you to step aboard this iconic train and discover what to pack for an unforgettable voyage through the heart of South Africa.

The Blue Train: A Journey Like No Other

The Blue Train is synonymous with opulence and elegance. From the moment you step onto the platform in Cape Town, you're transported to a world of luxury. As you settle into your private suite, you'll find yourself captivated by the ever-changing scenery outside your window.

What to Expect on the Blue Train

Luxurious Suites: The Blue Train boasts elegantly appointed suites with en-suite bathrooms, plush bedding, and panoramic windows for uninterrupted views.

Gourmet Dining: Savor world-class cuisine prepared by onboard chefs, complemented by an extensive selection of South African wines.

Observation Car: The lounge car with oversized windows is perfect for enjoying a drink, socializing, and capturing the stunning landscapes.

Pampering Service: The staff's impeccable service ensures your journey is nothing short of extraordinary.

Off-Train Excursions: En route, you'll have the opportunity to explore off-train attractions like the diamond mines of Kimberley.

What to Pack for the Journey:

Elegant Attire: The Blue Train has a formal dress code for dinner, so pack some smart-casual and formal attire for evening meals.

Comfortable Daywear: For daytime, comfortable clothing is key. Think breathable fabrics, as you'll want to fully enjoy the stunning views from the observation car.

Walking Shoes: If you plan to participate in off-train excursions, comfortable walking shoes are a must.

Layered Clothing: South Africa's climate can vary, so pack layers to adapt to temperature changes.

Swimwear: Some suites have spa baths, and you might want to take a dip.

Toiletries: While the train provides essentials, you might want to bring your favorite toiletries for added comfort.

Camera and Binoculars: The landscapes are breathtaking, and you'll want to capture the beauty. Binoculars are handy for wildlife spotting.

Books and Entertainment: The journey offers ample time for relaxation, so bring books, magazines, or any form of entertainment you enjoy.

Adapters and Chargers: South Africa uses Type D and M plugs, so ensure you have the right adapters and chargers for your devices.

Travel Documents: Don't forget your passport, visa (if required), and any necessary travel insurance documents.

Conclusion: A Voyage of Elegance and Adventure

The Blue Train journey from Cape Town to Pretoria is not just a means of transportation; it's an experience that combines luxury, adventure, and the natural beauty of South Africa. With the right attire and essentials packed, you can fully immerse yourself in the magic of this iconic railway journey, creating memories that will last a lifetime. So, step aboard, relax, and let the Blue Train carry you through a world of elegance and wonder.

Angala - a place to rest and reconnect, Franschhoek

At the foothills of the Franschhoek mountains sits a perfect space perfect to disconnect to reconnect. It's a wellness space that will make you feel held and is a stone's throw away from the main town of Franschhoek. Angala, A luxury wellness destination that will leave you recharged.

Angala is situated a mere hour from the centre of Cape Town and a beautiful drive through wine country and the surrounding cape fold mountains.

The hotel is tucked away in the most magnificent greenery and surrounded by gardens that immediately leave you feeling connected to mother nature. The space is well thought out, and the best part of the hotel is the incredible hydro facilities that surround it.

The rooms are country elegant with pure comfort at the forefront of the design. From heated bathroom floors, fireplaces for cold winter nights, and king-size beds; the rooms are built with luxury and comfort in mind. The rooms are fitted with a minibar and tea station enticing you to start your day with the perfect cup of coffee in bed.

Breakfast is served in the main hotel and is a selection of fresh fruits, homemade granola, and yoghurt. The granola was a home run for me, striking the perfect balance between crunch and sweetness.

The resident chef makes magic in the kitchen and not only is the hot breakfast that follows utterly delicious (my favourite meal of the day) but dinner is marvellous too. You will need to let them know in advance if you are planning to join for dinner. It takes the effort out of stalking the surrounds for food which allows you to further sink into the comfort of Angala.

As I mentioned earlier there are numerous hydro facilities on the property which include an eco pool and a hot tub too. You can opt for hot and cold water submerging and then find your way to the sauna for a final detoxifying sit. The property also offers a steam room. If relaxation is on your mind then ordering 'in' a massage is an option available to you with a professional massage service that will be set up in your room.

This means you can just flop around like a happy little fish from one amazing spa activity to the next, all in the comfort of a boutique hotel experience. Sign me up!

The service is incredible, and nothing is too much trouble for the staff. If you are celebrating an anniversary or simply looking to decompress from the city then all you need to do is communicate it to the hotel staff and they will take care of the rest.

Angala is a 5-star wellness destination that will leave you in a complete state of bliss and I can’t wait to find my way back.

-Melissa

10 Photographs that will make you want to visit Thailand

Why Thailand? The answer is simple. Its a magical place with the perfect balmy weather, delicious food and steeped in rich culture! With summer at our doorstep and December holidays around the corner, I thought I would share a little dreamy travel inspiration.

Exploring this magical place is something I would recommend to anyone that is not sure of where to have the next adventure. When I think about what I love most, I get caught between the food, the people and of course, the ocean. So to assist with my wanderlust I thought I would put together a few images to inspire travel, to help you fall in love. Like they say, buy the ticket and go get the tan.

Did you know that there is a Thailand Tourism office located in Johannesburg? Don’t think only beaches (Phuket), as there is so much more to Thailand. So if you need info or digital brochures etc, be sure to contact them or better still follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

I would also like to give a big thank you to Singapore Airlines for flying me to this dream destination.

-Melissa

Exploring the Oasis Spa and Resort in Chiang Mai

Right, so you find yourself in Chiang Mai Thailand and you are looking for the ultimate place to kick back and relax.

I have found the ultimate paradise. Oasis Spa Baan Saen Doi.

Located just outside of the city center of Chiang Mai with a round trip service this hotel and spa will leave your travel stress behind. Flying into Chiang Mai it's only a short 10-minute taxi ride to the hotel where you can offload and dive straight into relaxation (or the pool).

With one of the top Spa's in Chiang Mai and several branches across Thailand, the Oasis Spa will help you escape your busy lifestyle whether you are relaxing poolside or opting for a traditional hot compress massage.

The hotel has a striking interior with touches of the traditional hill tribe art throughout. Surrounded by beautiful gardens and water features the hotel offers privacy and elegance.

The rooms are large and spacious with a fully fitted mini bar and king-sized bed. (Yes Pease!!) The rooms are airconditioned and (my favourite part) offer a full sized spa bathtub. I couldn't resist having a giant bubble bath the second I arrived. Engulfed in luxury and pampering visiting the spa was high on my to-do list!

The Spa is one of the most professional spas I have ever visited with the most meticulous attention paid to every single detail. To ensure that you have an amazing experience you will be met by one of the staff that will walk you through your menu options whilst you sip on traditional tea. I can highly recommend the hot compress massage. This is a traditional wrap made of a mix of fresh ginger, eucalyptus, lemongrass, and peppermint, with additions such as camphor and a dab of essential oils to suit your needs. Receiving a massage with a hot compress made me feel like my body was surrendering to the relaxation and every bit of tension was being released. Drifting into heaven is an understatement.

Post massage you will be met with fresh fruits and tea to hydrate and nourish the body. If you are feeling adventurous you can take a walk up to the traditional rice fields that are part of the grounds and understand a little more about the rice they harvest or find your way poolside to soak up the final rays of the day.

The food is traditional and with beautiful flavours and a spice level that creates a perfect bite of Thai cuisine. I might have wanted to squirrel away the green curry and the spring rolls that accompanied it for a midnight snack attack.

In hindsight, I blame this notion on the euphoria of eating spicy food. The staff is attentive and nothing is too much effort.

Whether you stay poolside, adventure into town or simply melt into massages this establishment truly has something special to offer and I highly recommend that if you find yourself in Chiang Mai that you find your way there.

Did you know that there is a Thailand Tourism office located in Johannesburg? Don’t think only beaches (Phuket), as there is so much more to Thailand. So if you need info or digital brochures etc, be sure to contact them or better still follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

I would also like to give a big thank you to Singapore Airlines for flying me to this dream destination.

-Melissa

Staying at Zeavola Resort, Phi Phi Islands, Thailand

Take a deep breath in, now let it out. Repeat. Do you feel that?

A momentary grounding.

Now picture white beach sand, crystal clear blue waters, tall shady palm trees, mind-blowing food.

You've just imagined Zeavola Resort, Phi Phi Islands.

A place to feel connected and grounded. A place where you can exhale.

Hands down one of my favourite destinations in Thailand; this resort is truly magnificent. Not only because it is surrounded by the most breathtaking scenery but because the resort is aware of their responsibility towards the environment and making their establishment one of sustainability. Zeavola does everything they can to look after the majestic nature that surrounds them.

Getting there is half the adventure and a flight into Phuket, a taxi to the harbour and a gorgeous boat ride later you will find yourself stepping onto the beautiful beaches with waves lapping the shores of the island.

Arriving at sunset, the golden light illuminated the limestone cliff faces and rocky outcrops that surround and make up the Phi Phi islands.

Taking in the bright pink skies is a memory that will stay with me forever.

The resort is really something special. Firstly it is a barefoot resort - yes you read correctly. This resort encourages you to get your toes sandy and feel the earth beneath you. Every time you enter a facility there is the opportunity to rinse your feet off in cleverly placed foot baths.

The resort recycles their water (which is pretty impressive considering they are on a tiny island in the Andaman sea)

They omit all single-use plastics and promote being eco-conscious in all that they (or the guests) do.

A green resort? Be still my beating heart.

The rooms are tucked away and surrounded by lush tropical plants and give a feeling of absolute privacy. You might find yourself harboring a sneaky suspicion that you have the only room on the island. They are constructed from glass panels and space is filled with natural light. With an outdoor shower and lounge area, I felt as if I could live there forever!

The resort offers additional options of rooms situated higher up on the hill, perched on stilts overlooking the canopy. The honeymoon suite sports a beautiful white marble pool while for the more minimal tastes, a beach facing room might be just the thing.

There is certainly something to satisfy every occasion and desire.

If you have a wedding request, this is the hotel for you.

The resort also proudly caters to the LGTBQ community by offering same-sex marriages.

The only thing enticing enough to get me to leave my comfortable room? Diving. As an avid diver, I opted to take myself on an adventure. Joined by a private Dive Master we took a boat trip out into the marine reserve. Whilst we were heading out seahorses were mentioned and I was sold.

From sea horses to lions mane jellyfish I was in heaven! If diving isn't your thing then you can also take a private boat ride out to the marine park for the day and go snorkeling with baby black tip sharks or simply swim in the tropical waters and bask in the sun. With a gorgeous pool, you can stay in or even make your way to their sublime spa for a treatment of your choice. I lost myself in the music that is a traditional massage.

Making my way back to the resort I was met with staff that is ready to help with anything, cue cocktail in hand and of course someone to escort me to lunch!

Wow. The food was simply incredible and eating on the beach with a gentle sea breeze in my hair, heaven. I realized after the food that Zeavola was fast crawling its way into one of my favourite destinations out there.

This five-star resort is beyond the standard five stars you expect to experience with that rating. With every detail thought out and every taste catered for, Zeavola was exceptional.

Did you know that there is a Thailand Tourism office located in Johannesburg? Don’t think only beaches (Phuket), as there is so much more to Thailand. So if you need info or digital brochures etc, be sure to contact them or better still follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

I would also like to give a special thanks to Singapore Airlines for flying me in style all the way to this dream destination!

-Melissa