Galenia Estate

Surveying the estate is the main house, which is, in fact, a renovated barn. Sophisticated and meticulously crafted, you wouldn't think it once housed livestock! The wide porches are aptly furnished for enjoying the vistas and a stunning swimming pool is planted just in front the house, with equally capital views. Inside are a series of lounges - one with an enormous fireplace, another with sunny glassed-in seating and dining areas - and there are a number of cosy nooks for tucking into.

The ten guest cottages sit in five separate blocks and all have excellent views of the olive grove, lake, and endless Klein Karoo horizons. The thatched roofs, deep porches and log-burning fireplaces exude country charm and from the lovely en-suite bathrooms (complete with bare claw bathtub), double doors lead onto private patios. And despite their old-school aesthetics, they are very much up to date with wifi, tea and coffee facilities and a refrigerator.

Take your time to appreciate and indulge in the beauty of this magnificent farm. Galenia is about focusing on details, from studying the otherworldly fynbos flora to noticing the grassy and herbacous notes in an olive oil. Amble along the extensive networks of pathways which run throughout the farm, keeping your eyes peeled for duiker, klipspringer or Cape grysbok, and the abundant birdlife - sunbirds, Cape Sugar birds, Bokmakieries, and Karoo Scrub Robins to name a few. And of course, the four-course dinners at the restaurant are an affair to remember.