The Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa in Cape Town has launched two outdoor glass-enclosed gazebos, which are located on the slopes of the Twelve Apostles mountain range, with spectacular views over the Atlantic Ocean. Other facilities in the spa include:

* a brine pool and hot and cold plunge pools
* six dry and one wet treatment room
* a sauna and a hydrotherapy bath.

Treatments include Swedish massage, reflexology, hydrotherapy, body wraps, fynbos exfoliation, manicures and pedicures and indigenous plant extract treatments. It’s a must to experience this fantastic hotel with it’s new spa!

South Africa is definitely keeping up with international trends when it comes to creating ‘feel-good’ holidays. The African Day Spa concept was reinvented into the ultimate luxury bush spa. South African spa properties continue to create unique therapies inspired by the African continent and its people.

Below, we showcase some of South Africa’s top spa properties:

The Bush Spa
The majority of South Africa’s luxury safari lodges have in-house spas. The concept of combining pristine wilderness areas, exquisite game viewing and a selection of spa treatments means that guests are simply spoilt for choice. Singita’s spa’s in the Kruger Park and Sabi Sand Reserve continue to win international accolades.

Soul Safari
Another award-winning bush spa is Sabi Sand Earth Lodge, also situated in the Sabi Sand Reserve. This spa, inspired by the earth and nature, consists of various treatment rooms, again capitalising on the spectacular bush views. Garonga Safari Camp in the Makalali Conservancy has perfected the art of the ‘Soul Safari’ and their outdoor sala offers serious rest and relaxation surrounded by the sights and sounds of the African bush.

The Sanctuary Spa
The Sanctuary Spa at the Twelve Apostles Hotel in Cape Town is an award-winning spa that uses the best of the Western Cape’s extensive floral kingdom to assist in various treatments. Enjoy a fynbos exfoliation in one of their mountain gazebos or a slathering of Cape chamomile and Cape lavender to revive the senses.

The Saxon Spa
The Saxon Boutique Hotel and Spa in Johannesburg is probably the only place in South Africa that offers the Tibetan Sound Therapy treatment. Therapists use different bells, gongs, bowls and symbols to help restore natural order to the body. The therapy works on the premise of vibrational healing on a cellular level and is currently the talk of the town.

Cybele Forest Lodge and Spa
Cybele Forest Lodge and Spa in Mpumalanga offers a wide range of treatments, as well as special honeymoon packages. This spa offers some rather weird and wonderful treatments including the Green Tea Body Wrap, the Fizzing Chocolate Mouse Body Wrap, and the anti-ageing Red Grape body wrap.

Bushman’s Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Retreat
The spa at Bushman’s Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Retreat sits in the shadow of the Cederberg mountain range. It boasts a wealth of treatments, and as part of your spa package you can visit the open air rock art gallery and gain inspiration and spiritual guidance from the ancient San.

Whatever spa treatment or spa package you’re looking for, South African spa’s will have the answer! So indulge a little, and find that perfect spa experience!

Route 62? I have lived in South Africa for over 8 years and had yet to travel Route 62 as of October 2007. What exactly is Route 62 - well it’s the land route between Cape Town & Oudtshoorn, the Garden Route & Port Elizabeth and is the shorter travel option to the beautiful N2 coastal road. This route is the in-land option and is sometimes called the longest wine route in the world! Route 62 includes the estates of Paarl, Wellington, Tulbagh, Worcester Robertson, Montagu, Barrydale, Ladismith, Calitzdorp and Oudtshoorn.

I had the pleasure of at last travelling along Route 62, with the final destination being Oudtshoorn. When Oudsthoorn pops up, ostriches comes to mind.. Or perhaps, riding ostriches! Oudtshoorn is known as the ostrich capital of the world, needless to say I didn’t have the nerve to ride one of them!

I had the pleasure of staying at Rosenhof Country House. If living in the lap of luxury is your vice, then this country guest house in the Klein Karoo is a must! The service, accommodation, meals and personal touch is fantastic! Firstly, the bathrooms are predominantly marble, with bath and shower in all rooms. The bar fridge was fully stocked, the beds incredibly comfortable with chocolate-on-pillow turned down duvets at night - these guys really know how to treat their guests!

Each of the rooms, apart from the executive suites, open onto a wide veranda that open onto fragrant rose and herb gardens, water features, lush lawns, sculpted trees, and distant views of the Swartberg Mountains. Guest facilities include a fully equipped gym, Jacuzzi, and a wellness centre as well as all the conveniences required for a comfortable stay. Two executive suites have their own swimming pools and, for extra privacy, are located a hundred metres from the main house. The food is traditional country cuisine served with cordon bleu flair has won the Rosenhof Restaurant international acclaim.

Rosenhof Country Estate is in the area of Oudtshoorn and surrounds, which offers many nearby attractions including the famous Cango Caves and the Cango Ostrich farms. Rosenhof Country House is recognized as one of the finest establishments in the region with its luxurious facilities and excellent service.

Other properties that come highly recommended in Oudtshoorn are:

Adley House
Protea Hotel Riempie Estate
La Plume Guesthouse

For the 10th consecutive year the Shamwari Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape has been named the World’s Leading Conservation Company and the World’s Leading Safari and Game Reserve in the prestigious World Travel Awards.

Hailed by the Wall Street Journal as the ‘Oscars of the travel industry’, a World Travel award has come to represent one of the best endorsements that a travel product or company can hope to achieve. The Awards were conceived in 1993 to acknowledge and celebrate excellence in the world’s travel and tourism industry.

In addition to Shamwari’s success, the Johannesburg based Saxon Boutique Hotel and Spa earned the award for the World’s leading Boutique Resort for the sixth consecutive year while South African Tourism earned the award for the World’s Leading Tourist Information Website.

On receiving the Shamwari awards founder Adrian Gardiner said, “We are very proud to have been recognized as the best by our industry partners worldwide for ten straight years. When we began, conservation was a small part of tourism. Today, we are very encouraged that more tourists are aware that we must sustain and preserve our environment for the generations to come.”

Based in a trendy area of Cape Town, lies a historical Victorian hotel renowned for its elegance and sophistication that has been given a contemporary new feel and modern touches. Boasting two restaurants and a chic cocktail bar, the beautiful Metropole Boutique Hotel captures the heartbeat of this exciting city.

The historic Metropole Boutique Hotel is a colourful fusion of yesteryear elegance and modern luxury set in Cape Town’s lively Long Street. The warmth and intimacy of this historical gem blends in almost seamlessly with the modern plush and contemporary interior. The result is a beautiful Victorian hotel with modern touches, both timeless and elegant. The luxury guest rooms are a blend of modern luxury and exquisite finishes down to the marble bathrooms and balconies that offer unrivalled views of the city.

The hotel is home to the fantastic Veranda Restaurant, which is both stylish and romantic and offers beautiful views of Cape Town and boasts a sumptuous contemporary menu. The M-Café is a breakthrough in design and offers light meals to guests and the M-Bar & Lounge is a glamorous nightspot and cocktail bar, decorated in an avant-garde mix of urban and classic styles.

The fascinating Long Street, lined with various shops, restaurants and night clubs, is literally on the hotel’s doorstep, and the rest of Cape Town’s activities and surroundings are just a phone call or short drive away including the Castle of Good Hope, the V&A Waterfront and Table Mountain.