PAARL IS PARADISE FOR LADY TRAVELLERS

Posted by Wilandre Johnson on 25 August 2021 3:05 PM CAT

Women are the glue that hold societies together and should be admired and respected for that. In the month of August we celebrate our country’s women with Women’s Day on 9 August. In this blog we choose to put the spotlight on an increasing trend in the travelling industry, solo female travel.

Paarl offers a myriad of options for solo female travellers including safe accommodation options, a variety of experiences, many adventurous activities and sublime tasting experiences.

There is an endless amount of nature inspired activities for women to enjoy at Babylonstoren.  The Babylonstoren garden is at the heart of the farm. It is inspired by the Company’s Garden in Cape Town, where for centuries ships would replenish their freshwater, vegetables and fruit at the halfway station between Europe and Asia. They also link back to the mythical hanging gardens of Babylon. Explore the garden with their free daily guided tour.

The Garden Spa at Babylonstoren is a tranquil escape with a sauna, steam room, salt room and tropical rain showers. There is also a heated indoor vitality pool as well as an outdoor pool. The two signature treatments are the Hamman water ritual and the bamboo massage, and there is also an incredible selection of classic treatments.

For those loving craft and hand work a visit to Paarl’s alpacas at The Alpaca Loom Coffee Shop and Weaving Studio is just the thing to do. They offer an hourly Alpaca Barn Tour daily. Enjoy delicious coffee and cakes, before browsing luxurious, hand-crafted goods while watching the talented local ladies weave beautifully soft scarves, blankets, and rugs from the alpacas’ wool. It’s an interesting and engaging place to visit and is sure to delight shoppers and animal lovers alike.

Bean in Love is a good spot to get your early morning caffeine fix. Situated in a historic building with three open-plan levels in Paarl’s Main Road it’s a relaxing spot to sip on a cup of quality roasted coffee with beans coming from Guatemala, El Salvador, and Columbia to name a few. They serve hearty breakfasts and light meals too.

Ridgeback Wines is perfect for wine tasting in a beautiful tasting room (situated next to The Deck Restaurant) overlooking a dam containing 25 species of waterfowl. Ducks, geese, and swans serenely glide along the dam full of Koi fish.

Originally a fruit farm, Ridgeback Wines now have a range of 19 wines (including MCC) and also grows olives. The best part is that no matter your budget, there is bound to be a wine that you’ll enjoy as they are proud of the fact that all their wines are good wines! Their platters are excellent and if you are looking for something more substantial they offer breakfasts and light meals.

If you like walking tours with quirky facts, hidden corners and a few surprises, the Paarl Heritage Trail Voicemap Tour that meanders along the beautiful oak-lined Main Road of Paarl (meaning, “pearl”) is the tour for you. Apart from being one of the best-preserved roads in South Africa, it’s also the longest. Along the way, passionate, proud Paarlite and experienced guide, Janet, will share stories about the town’s earliest residents, and show you the wide range of architectural styles dotted along the Main Road, too.

Enjoy the free downloadable audio tour that allow you to explore the trail at your own pace. Experiencing the delightful (and often quirky) history behind many of Paarl’s most exceptional landmarks is as easy as downloading the VoiceMap app on Android or Apple device and then downloading the Paarl Heritage Trail (A story of wine and pearls) in the comfort of your home, grabbing a pair of earphones, and going for a walk. The app is used offline, to save on data and roaming costs.

At the foot of the magnificent Paarl Rock is a small, luxury hotel like no other. It is a place where history interacts with modern comfort and where the atmosphere of a bygone era brings a sense of graciousness and unhurried living. The celebrated 5-star Grand Roche Hotel boasts beautiful gardens, views of vineyards and the mountain ranges as well as superb cuisine from their restaurants. Be prepared to be transformed back to an era of opulence and fine living fit for a lady when visiting.

Paarl allows ladies to take in our great outdoors while maintaining appropriate social distance from other travellers. Adventures on offer include quad biking through vineyards with Wine Valley Adventures situated at Rhebokskloof Wine Estate, tandem paragliding with Winelands Paragliding and croc cage diving at Le Bonheur Reptiles and Adventures!