PENNY WISE AND NOT POUND FOOLISH IN PAARL THIS FESTIVE SEASON

Posted by Wilandre Johnson on 09 December 2020 3:35 PM CAT

For all of us 2020 has had its fair share of challenges, one of them being our festive season’s budgets. The Visitors’ Information Center in Paarl have put together ideas for various things to help visitors remain penny wise and not pound foolish when exploring Paarl.

There are still affordable options when visiting Paarl, or if as a local resident, a staycation is how you will be spending your festive season.  Paarl is a viable Cape Winelands destination to make summer holiday memories with options that are free or cost under R50 and R100.

Free activities in Paarl include visiting and viewing up to 15 protea species in Meulwater Wildflower Garden on Paarl Mountain, taking a stroll through the Arboretum situated on the banks of the Berg River or taking a scenic drive up Du Toitskloof Pass.  Experience Freedom Weekend Market, a lifestyle market which is open on Saturdays and Sundays, or collect a brochure from the Paarl Visitor’s Information Centre and embark on a self-guided historical walk which will soon be launched as a free downloadable Voicemap tour. Learn more about the town’s rich history, interesting facts and view our well-preserved historic buildings by foot.

A selfie at the Nelson Mandela Statue will not cost a cent and will leave you with a special memory of the spot where this legendary man took his first steps to freedom.  Celebrating your birthday during the festive season? Then receive free access to the Taalmonument on presentation of your South African ID! Take a trip down memory lane to a world of yesteryear at Toeka Store at Domaine Brahms with their unique collection of memorabilia and since when does browsing and ‘shopping with the eyes’ have to cost a cent? Lovely spots to do this is The Trading Company at Spice Route, Brenda’s Preserves, Linen Drawer, Family Farmstall and Frater Square.

For R50 or less visitors can taste six wines and a selection of cheeses at Fairview Wine and Cheese. Take your own picnic basket and enjoy the views at Afrikaans Language Monument or buy something to snack at the mobile food café and coffee van on their premises. Entry for adults are R40, R10 for Drakenstein residents with a library card, and free for children. Enjoy a guided Biblical garden tour at Salem Biblical Garden for R35 pp, a hike in the Limietberg Nature Reserve (Daily Access Pass for adults R50 and kids R30) or join a daily Garden Tour at Babylonstoren (the Garden Tour is free, but an entry fee of R20 for adults and R10 per child is charged at the entrance gate and R10 for all on week days).

The tranquil dam at Le Bonheur Reptiles and Adventures is stocked with bass and tilapia. Cast a line from one of several jetties or take a jaunt in their rowboat. Fishing is R46 for three hours and rowboat rental R55 pp. Stand up Paddling (SUP) is also allowed.  Visit Paarl Rock and Paarl Mountain Nature Reserve. Only R30 per person allows you to experience one of the most impressive granite boulders in the world and the nature reserve that is part of the Cape Floral Kingdom for some walking, hiking and trail running. A Las Paletas ice lolly or milkshake will be no more than R50 when you visit Rhebokskloof Wine Estate with its sprawling lawns and lovely play area for children.

R100 on weekends and R80 on weekdays will get visitors a day pass from Paarl Adventure Trails at Rhebokskloof Wine Estate and Spice Route. More ‘less than R100’ offerings include Landskroon Wines’ Heritage Food & Wine Pairing at R100. This selection of five wines from their Landskroon range is paired with locally produced products. Another favourite pairing option is Under Oaks Estate’s Turkish Pairing (R95) for sweet tooths. Explore Alpaca Loom Coffee Shop and Weaving Studio for an educational barn tour at R80 per adult and R50 for kids. Summer calls for cold beer at Karoo Craft Breweries Tap Room or their Beer Garden at Zomerlust Pizzeria. Four beers for R60 will quench any summer thirst! For no more than R100 you can sip away at a cocktail on Grande Roche Restaurant’s verandah experiencing Cape Winelands’ splendour at its best.

We are looking forward to welcome you in the pearl of the Winelands with our offerings that is affordable for any budget! For more details about Visit Paarl follow us on social media or visit www.paarlonline.com.