Food & cooking Experiences

Food & cooking experiences

If you thought South Africa had it all, then you would be absolutely right. As well as ticking all the top safari and beach boxes, it’s also something of a gastro-getaway. Enter Cape Town and the Winelands, the country’s (actually, make that continent’s) food and wine nirvana. With cooler-than-a-cucumber restaurants around every corner and the best cafe culture south of Paris, Cape Town should be the first stop on every foodies’ list. Follow that with the award-winning restaurants of the Cape Winelands (and several glasses of Pinotage) and all your culinary dreams really will come true.

Explore Baroque Rome with an expert in art history

Step into Rome’s Baroque soul: Piazza del Popolo with its grand vistas, via Margutta alive with art and ateliers, Piazza di Spagna crowned by the Barcaccia fountain and the iconic Steps, the Pantheon’s eternal harmony, the Trevi Fountain where every coin carries a secret hope, and Piazza Navona, buzzing with life and masterpieces. Pause at a celebrated café to savour the ritual of espresso—quick, intense, social. Or treat yourself to one of the city’s finest gelati, a sweet taste of Rome on the move.

On Sundays, the Pantheon is accessible from 12:00 PM after the mass.

Explore Baroque Rome with an expert in art history

Harvest, Cook & Dine on the Amalfi Coast

Set within a fragrant lemon grove, a private cooking session brings you into the heart of Amalfi Coast cuisine. In the company of a local chef, you’ll be guided through authentic regional recipes in a hands-on class that draws from the simplicity and freshness of Campania’s culinary tradition. From preparation to plating, each dish reflects the flavours of the coast and the tempo of its kitchens. The experience concludes at the table, with an unhurried lunch or dinner where you’ll share the dishes you’ve brought to life, surrounded by citrus trees and open air.

Spot the Whales from land in Hermanus

Keep your eyes peeled for majestic Southern right whales in Hermanus before delving into the vines of the glorious Hemel-en-Aarde valley.

It’s usually Hermanus that steals the show when it comes to whale-watching, but the drive along the picture-perfect coastal road from Cape Town through Gordon’s Bay, Pringle Bay and Betty’s Bay is just as spectacular. Keep your eyes peeled for the majestic creatures as you go and when you reach Hermanus, stretch your legs with a stroll through the galleries, bookstores and boutiques. After a lazy lunch, head into the hills of the Hemel-en-Aarde for a taste of the grapes from a cool-climate region, in particular the South African speciality, Pinot Noir.