Sometimes, the best gift are memories. Instead of a standard gift voucher, give that special someone a moment to remember with one of these fun and unique experiences in the Mother City.
Whiskey tasting:
For the whiskey lover in your life, this experience will be a treat. Let your loved one sip in style at Bascule Bar’s Whiskey tasting experience. The Cape Grace bar offers whiskeys from all over the globe, taking guest on a taste journey without having to leave the country. The tasting experience includes six whiskies and three appetisers. Or you could go for the Connoisseur’s Choice, designed for the true whiskey aficionado, a bespoke tasting that highlights unique, rare and premium whiskies from the extensive Bascule collection.
Where: Bascule Bar, Cape Grace Hotel, W Quay Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town
Cost: R395 per person for the normal tasting or R1 000 per person for Connoisseur’s Choice experience. Bookings are essential.
Contact details: Email [email protected] or call 021 410 7099 to make a booking.
Website: www.capegrace.com
Cobra car experience:
Cruise Cape Town’s picturesque coastline in style with the Cobra Car experience. The classic open-top V8 cobra sports car is a sophisticate ride perfect for vintage car lovers. You have the option of either renting the magnificent motor for the day or being chaufferred around the Cape for full/half day.
Where: 10 Hermes Street, Paarden Eiland, Cape Town
Cost: Rentals vary depending on the amount of time you want the car for. Prices range from R1500 – R2900, and include free mileages up to varying amounts.
Contact details: Email [email protected] or call 083 321 9193 to make a booking.
Website: www.capecobrahire.com
Get cooking at The Kitchen Collective:
Gift your loved one with a new skill this festive season. The Kitchen Collective teaches participants new and exciting dishes in an interactive cooking class. Together, participants will create 6-8 dishes following a set theme. Whatever your flavour palette of choice, there is something for you. Take your pick from classes like Seasonal Summer, Plant-Based, Moroccan Magic, and Festive Feasting. Gifts and can be purchased as vouchers for a course of choice for singles, pairs or groups.
Where: 80 Jordaan Street, City Bowl, Cape Town
Cost: R750 per person
Contact details: +27 83 660 1146 or +27 72 041 1038
Website: www.thekitchencollective.co.za
Cape Sidecar adventures:
Take in Cape Town’s sights from a different level. Your loved one will truly enjoy the opportunity to cruise the Cape in a sidecar. Cape Sidecar Adventures offers a variety of chauffeured day trips and self-drive packages. Choose from the two hour, half day/four hour, full day and guided multi-day packages that feature multiple routes. Another cute bonus is the company pup, Brody, who tags along for rides.
Where: Trips depart from 1 Dickens Road, Salt River, 7925, Cape Town, South Africa
Cost: Prices range from R2 500 – R5 100 depending on the package you choose.
Contact details: [email protected] or call +27 21 434 9855
Website: www.sidecars.co.za
Hint Hunt:
This one is great for some family fun! Give your loved one a challenge with Hint Hunt, the Cape’s favourite group activity. Hint Hunt is a live escape game where participants have to solve complicated riddles, clues and challenges to escape the room within an hour. Groups of up to six can pick from a variety of themed rooms like ‘The Old Hotel’, ‘Shipwrecked’ or ‘Submarine-Deepdown’, each with their own story.
Where: A304, The Old Biscuit Mill, 375 Albert Rd, Woodstock OR Jubilee Hall, The Watershed, 17 Dock Road (V&A Waterfront)
Cost: Prices range from R460 – R1 200 depending on the size of your group.
Contact details: Email [email protected] or call +27 87 4700 114
Website: hinthunt.com
Hop-on-hop-off Franschhoek wine tram:
Who wouldn’t want to spend the day sipping away? Treat our loved one to the hop-on-hop-off Franschhoek wine tram experience, one of the best ways to discover the true essence of the Franschhoek Valley. With picturesque vineyards, breath-taking scenery and fine wines, it’s guaranteed to be a good day. Tram lines are colour coded, and provide access to a selection of wine estates, so choose wisely. Besides transport to and from vineyards, the ride also includes narration focusing on the history of Franschhoek and wine cultivation in the valley, making this a learning experience too.
Where: The tour starts and ends at the ticket office located at Franschhoek Square in the centre of the Franschhoek Village.
Cost: Adult R260 / Child (3-17) R90. Wine tasting fees at each estate are not included.
Contact details: Email [email protected] or call + 27 21 300 0338
Website: winetram.co.za
Alternative Brewing course: Origin
Coffee is love, coffee is life. Give the gift of happiness this festive season with an epic coffee course. Origin’s Alternative Brewing course teaches participants how to make good coffee at home without an espresso machine. The 3-hour practical course involves full of hands-on brewing experience and demonstrations for coffee enthusiasts.
The course includes a complimentary cup of coffee on arrival, take-home barista guide and 10% off all purchases on the day of the course.
Where: 28 Hudson Street, De Waterkant
Cost: R650 per person
Contact details: Email [email protected] or call +27 21 421 1000
Website: originroasting.co.za
Horse About trails:
Live your romance-novel fantasy with a horseback ride in the Cape winelands. Horse About Trails has riders travel through vineyards, fynbos, forests and wheat fields until reaching the contour paths in the foothills of the majestic Witzenberg Mountains. Choose between the 1.5 hour scenic trail (perfect for families), the 2-hour Witzenberg trail (for experienced riders) and the 2-hour private ride (for guests who prefer flexibility and to travel at their own pace).
Where: De Heuvel Farm on the R46, Between Tulbagh and Wolseley in the Cape Winelands, Western Cape
Cost: Prices range from R290 pp – R650 pp depending on the trail.
Contact details: Email [email protected] or call 082 884 9881
Website: www.horseabout.co.za
Ceramics course:
Channel your inner Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze by making your own ceramic works of art. Clay Mates offers workshop courses such as wheel throwing and handwork/sculpture, as well as once-off classes for kids, tens and adults. Classes are from 1.5hours – 5hours, in which you will learn building techniques while you make whatever you want: art, sculpture, functional ware.
Where: 4 Dirkie Uys Rd, just off Main Rd, Somerset West
Cost: R250 – R500 for once-offs, R1000 – R2500 for workshops
Contact details: Email [email protected] or call 082 468 2223
Website: claymates.co.za
Hot Yoga
The festive season is stressful, and can put your body and mind through much strain. Give the gift of relaxation with a hot yoga class! Yoga is mind-centering while also giving you a great workout. HotPod Yoga offers intro, single or multiple-day passes, which means there is an option for every fitness level.
Where: 44 Yew St, Salt River, Cape Town
Cost: R140 – R1 000
Contact details: Email [email protected] or call +27 64 680 7373
Website: hotpodyoga.com
Live golf:
Those wanting to perfect their golfing skill need look no further. Live Golf SA offers expert coaching for learners of all ages. Led by pro golfer Neil Herman and PGA professional Ricki Dembo, you’ll definitely be in good hands. They offer a varietyy of lesson plans for kids and adults.
Where: Houghton golf course, Osborn Rd, Houghton Estate, Johannesburg but you can request Cape Town lessons by submitting an enquiry form.
Cost: Depending on the lesson chosen, classes range from R300-R2000.
Contact details: Email I[email protected] or call +27 83 655 5033.
Website: Live Golf.co.za
Picture: Instagram / Side Car Adventures