How Downtime has Become Part of the South African Travel Experience
As travel habits evolve, what happens after sunset is certainly gaining new importance across South Africa’s leisure landscape. From quiet coastal stays to bush escapes,
How Downtime has Become Part of the South African Travel Experience
As travel habits evolve, what happens after sunset is certainly gaining new importance across South Africa’s leisure landscape. From quiet coastal stays to bush escapes,
South African Writer Self-Publishes Her Debut Novel
Born and raised in Port Elizabeth, now Gqeberha, Morgan Cadle discovered her love for storytelling at a young age and began writing at just ten years old. From
Simbithi Eco-Estate Continues to Set Trends in Sustainable, Community-Centric Living in 2026
Throughout 2025, Simbithi Eco-Estate reinforced its position as one of the North Coast’s most desirable residential destinations, retaining its title as ‘Best Estate in Ballito’ for the
TOP 5 ARCHITECTURAL TRENDS FOR 2026 – AND THOSE THAT ARE ON THEIR WAY OUT
Changing lifestyles, rising energy costs, climate pressures, and a renewed appreciation for comfort and craftsmanship are reshaping what homeowners want – and what architects are
Health Hydro Day Spa: A Peaceful Pause from Everyday Life
In the area of Boksburg, just east of Johannesburg, travellers will discover a sanctuary of relaxation and wellness. The Health Hydro Day Spa is where beauty, wellness,
Why the Healthy Veganuary Trend is Something We Should All Try in 2026
After the indulgence of the festive season, many want to start the New Year with healthy eating habits. While some turn to strict eating plans,
Qatar Airways Launches World’s First Starlink-Equipped Boeing 787 and Completes Airbus A350 Starlink Rollout, Connecting Over 11 million Passengers with the Fastest Wi-Fi in the Sky
The World’s Best Airline becomes the first carrier globally to install Starlink on Boeing 787-8 aircraft – with three Dreamliners already equipped Following its pioneering
Algeria and Kenya named in BBC guide to the Best Places to Travel in 2026
Algeria and Samburu County, Kenya, have been named in the BBC’s guide to the 20 best places to travel in 2026, with BBC journalists emphasising how responsible tourism can
Spilling the Tea on Why New Year’s Resolutions Fail – And What to Do Differently in 2026!
Every January, millions of people around the world gear up for a New Year, New Me reset. Gym memberships skyrocket, diet plans trend online, and
SP Reshape redefines confidence through Safe, Non-Surgical Care
Many things define how we see ourselves, and our weight is one of them. Everyone deserves to feel happy, healthy and confident, which is why
The 2026 travel reset: Seven trends redefining South African tourism
As the global travel sector looks toward 2026, a significant psychological shift is reshaping consumer behaviour. The post-pandemic “revenge travel” frenzy has subsided, replaced by
Experience Dubai winter and enjoy two memorable experiences with Emirates
Emirates (www.Emirates.com) is giving African travellers even more reasons to visit Dubai during its winter season, with a special offer that combines world-class hospitality and unique experiences. Customers from
SUN ON YOUR PLATE CAFÉ: SETH SHEZI CURATES A CULINARY JOURNEY FOR VEUVE CLICQUOT’S EMOTIONS OF THE SUN EXHIBITION IN CAPE TOWN
Throughout December, Veuve Clicquot’s Emotions of the Sun Exhibition at Youngblood Gallery, created in collaboration with the iconic Magnum Photos agency, invites visitors to experience the spirit
Safari for Six — Your Story, Your Safari
In the heart of KwaZulu-Natal, where wild bush meets coastal beauty, Safari for Six is redefining what a safari experience should feel like. As an original, women-owned boutique
Celebrations on the Square brings festive elegance to Sandton
Nelson Mandela Square is taking sophistication up a notch this December with a luxurious festive experience unlike any other. Introducing Celebrations on the Square, which
AUTOGRAPH COLLECTION HOTELS CELEBRATES CAPE TOWN’S SEASIDE SPLENDOR WITH THE OPENING OF MOREA HOUSE, AUTOGRAPH COLLECTION
Inspired by the raw beauty, vibrant culture, and laid-back spirit of Cape Town, Morea House, Autograph Collection, has opened its doors in Camps Bay. The
The coast with the most: Eastern Cape tourism’s wildlife renaissance
Every December, the same migration happens. Johannesburg empties out, the N2 fills up, and South Africa’s coastal towns brace for the annual influx. Families pack
The Hidden Art of Tracking and Trailing: Extraordinary strengthens its conservation-led guiding standards through immersive Kruger training
Tracking and trailing is far more than an age-old bushcraft – it remains one of the most valuable conservation tools in Africa’s protected areas today.
LET ROOIBOS BRIGHTEN UP YOUR FESTIVE SUMMER SEASON SPREAD
With the festive season in full swing, Rooibos is finding new life across the summer table – from chilled drinks to flavour-packed starters, mains and
Beauty Meets Artistry at SF Pro Makeup
Situated in Centurion in Pretoria, SF Pro Makeup provides professional makeup services, a friendly atmosphere and incredible results. Owner and founder Samantha Faasen is more than a
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP: Why Cheetah Conservation Is Really About Saving Entire Landscapes
Every year on 4 December, we recognise two important dates on the global conservation calendar: International Cheetah Day and Wildlife Conservation Day. While one highlights
A First-Time Homeowner’s Guide to Hiring Contractors You Can Trust
Buying your first home is a major milestone — but it also comes with a reality check: there’s no landlord to call anymore. Every repair, upgrade,
Creating Christmas magic in the kitchen
There’s something undeniably enchanting about the festive season, the glow of twinkling lights, the aroma of cooking delicious meals drifting through the air and the
Adventures with Elephants: Meet the Gentle Giants of Bela Bela
Over the last century, the elephant population has decreased by over ninety per cent. With these majestic creatures declining due to poaching and habitat loss, places
Archaeological Treasures Await: Travel Through Time in South Africa
As the festive season arrives and South Africa comes alive with travel, sunshine and celebration, there’s no better time to reconnect with the country’s extraordinary
Finding great accommodation, restaurants, spas adventure and more
Actually, Home Food and Travel offers a lot more than just reviews of accommodation, restaurants, spas and adventure activities. We also visit great destinations, receive advice from interior designers and stop to smell the roses and taste the coffee.
Our team of journalists are seasoned travels and love visiting the myriad of exciting places around South Africa. Whether it is off the beaten track or in the heart of the top attractions of the country, we’ll be there,
Home Food and Travel advice on finding the right accommodation
So what is the right accommodation? Well more often than not, it’s your travel budget that dictates the type of accommodation that you choose.
Expensive is not always better. Our team at Home Food and Travel will tell you that they have camped in areas with limited ablutions and had a wonderful holiday. They have also spent a night in a five star hotel only to be disappointed because their expectations exceeded the experience.
The reason for your travels will also affect your choice. A business trip requires different amenities to a beach holiday.
Our articles, reviews and experiences can certainly help you make your decision.
Restaurants with a good mix of service, food and ambiance
To my mind a great restaurant offers three things – excellent service, great food and a wonderful ambiance. Of these, service is the most important.
No matter that the food is delicious and the setting delightful, poor service can ruin the occasion. However, great service combined with mediocre meal and a plane jane restaurant can still be a pleasant night out.
We’ve eaten in restaurants that are really dirty but with incredible food and couldn’t help but give a rave review. We’ve also hardly noticed what we ate because the setting was just amazing.
However, the best restaurants come with the best of service, food and ambiance.
Spas are the ultimate relaxation aid
How do you know when you have had a great spa experience? The answer, of course, is when you doze off on the treatment table.
Well that’s our theory anyway. It also doesn’t take a grand location with enormous facilities for a spa to be really good
A small, personal spa that is owner run can result in the best massage you have ever experienced. However, the grand spas in five star hotels offer unsurpassed facilities in an environment that just makes the stress in your shoulders and neck melt away before you even finish checking in.
Adventure!
You don’t have to be an adrenaline junky to enjoy an exciting experience. In fact, what are commonly termed adventure activities usually have incredibly high safety standards and unblemished safety records.
Ziplining, bungy jumping and shark cage diving are all very safe. It’s just that our mind tells us we are craaazzzzyyyy to be doing this.
On the road to great places of accommodation, restaurants, spas and adventure activities
If you’re driving, be safe and make use of all the wonderful farm stalls that populate South Africa’s open roads.
If you overhear somebody asking a lot of questions or see someone taking photos of empty bedrooms chances are it’s one of our Home Food and Travel team members.
We’re out looking or those great places of accommodation, restaurants, spas and adventure activities.
See you on the road!
