South Africa | Our Stay at Mont Rochelle in Franschhoek

As we come to Cape Town at least once a year, we decided to change our usual itinerary this year and opted to start our holidays in Franschhoek, in the heart of wine country in the Western Cape.

We had looked into several options and Mont Rochelle, a Richard Branson Virgin Estate, fitted all we wanted: a nice room, good food, a swimming pool, great views and... a fitness center! Yes, a gym is becoming a non-negotiable for us. It always was important for Bruno but now it is for us both since Jess started a health journey that allowed her to lose almost 20 kilos (almost 40 pounds) in less than six months.

South Africa | Fine Dining at La Petite Colombe in Franschhoek (with video)

Getting to La Petite Colombe is a grand experience in itself: the Leeu Estate where it is centrally located is one of the most pristine, beautifully and lushly organised piece of land, surrounded by the mountains around Franschhoek. And the dining experience is…

The SignatureJess

We landed at the Cape Town airport in a scorching hot October afternoon - unusual at this time of the year as we were expecting milder Spring weather -, rented a car and headed to Franschhoek, around one hour away from the city. We had visited around in 2023 and promised we would come back and stay in a future occasion and this was it.

We were warmly greated at Mont Rochelle with wide smiles, dried fruits and, most importantly, some sparkling wine, Cap Method. We then visited the Estate and soaked in into its gorgeous decor and views. Our suite was absolutely spectacular - even bigger than our Luanda flat! - with a wide living and dining room and we had our own heated swimming pool we dived in every day.

We are both used to going to beautiful places and being surrounded by older people - who can afford it! - but this time it was different: we had lots of young couples around us and it made for a more vibrant vibe. Nothing against being with older people - they are the best conversationalists! - but it was clearly a noticeable change for us.

Fashion | What I wore on our Spring Break holiday in Cape Town

The amount of feedback and clicks on my corporate wardrobe with 30 looks photographed through shameless elevator mirror selfies made me want to share more about my fashion choices with you. This time around, I am ditching the blazers and tailored trousers for sunnier dresses and shorter lengths.

The SignatureJess

In the end of the afternoon we went out for dinner. The food at the Miko restaurant is absolutely delicious and we just knew we would be in for a treat for the upcoming days. We were also very privileged to wake up to Jess' birthday at the Estate during our stay. All the members of the staff knew about it and there were gifts, treats and songs through the day. That is not something easy to forget!

South Africa | Farm-to-table Lunch at Chefs Warehouse Maison (with video)

Have you ever dreamed of a luxury vineyard lunch under a towering oak tree? Maison Winery in Franschhoek offers scenic views, delightful tapas, and the finest bubbly. A must-visit destination for wine lovers seeking a perfect blend of nature, flavor, and relaxation.

The SignatureJess

Mont Rochelle is on the Franschhoek Wine Tram line, a great way to visit lots of wineries when you don't want to rent a car or drive. You can visit, enjoy a wine tasting and have a meal at their The Country Kitchen restaurant. We didn't do neither during this trip so that we have something to look forward to in a future visit ;)

South Africa | Bubbly Afternoon Tea at Le Lude Estate (with video)

We love having afternoon tea whilst travelling around the world, as we aim to find the best to have in the world, either in hotels or in such a divine estate like Le Lude. It makes us reminisce of our engagement day in Scotland... but this one was way sunnier!

The SignatureJess

Our stay was one of the best in our lives in the past decade and we will surely come back. It is quite romantic and allows for a great reset from our bustling busy lives.

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