Newsletter - Water, water everywhere, but not a blerry drop to drink!

Water, water everywhere, but not a blerry drop to drink!

From New Orleans to Phuket, from the Sudan to Cape Town’s municipality, the world has got water on the brain! (“Ja, ja, but nothing that a tap on the head can’t cure”, says our good Herr Doctor.) Seems like there’s either too much or far too little of the stuff. (We personally think it’s those international Cartels manipulating the weather again, but don’t tell anyone, they’ve got spies everywhere….) But here in the Budget Getaway lab, we’ve got the balance just right with a selection of brilliant H 2 O weekend escapes – all of them near river, lake or sea and all of them Rand-friendly. What’s more, unlike a hapless tourist on a package holiday to Orleans or a Thailand resort, you’ll sleep a hell of a lot more secure at one our recommended weekend spots!

Arniston Seaside Cottages This cluster of 22 thatched cottages probably caused a political storm when it was first built, but has since become an Arniston institution. Despite coming in at R220 per adult (children under 12 half-price), the cottages deserve a stro... Read more ...

Asher Riverside Cottages A newish kid on the Bonnievale block, Asher (meaning ‘blessed’) is fast achieving gem status among its growing following. And the reason is clear to see. It occupies one of the best spots along the Breede River - a broad stretch of tra... Read more ...

Breede Escape A Zulu camp on the Breede River is one way to describe this excellent group getaway, comprising two separate River Camps with mini reed-and-thatch rondawels and a lapa. The River Camps can accommodate a tribe of 24 and 16, ... Read more ...

Groenvlei & Mvubu Bushcamp Camouflaged by a tangle of indigenous dune forest, the secluded Groenvlei and Mvubu Bushcamps are rustic Garden Route gems tailored for single groups of eight and four, respectively. The advertised blurb calls them "secret hideaways... Read more ...

Keurbooms Canoe Trail Picture the scenario. While other Plett holidaymakers are waging war with traffic, supermarket queues and whining offspring, you're loading your provisions into a canoe, adjusting the bandana, and with an "Ahoy me hearties!" setting forth on you... Read more ...

La Baleine On location and interior decor you don’t get much better than La Baleine. This tight cluster of five designer houses, five luxury suites and a small conference facility for 12, can be found at the far end of Paternoster’s fishing villa... Read more ...

Mount Ceder “Harsh, beautiful and incredibly hot,” is how one guest poignantly sums up Mount Ceder. This relatively new guestfarm (with the karma of a luxury mini resort) lies on a gravel road to nowhere, or so it seems, between Ceres and the sout... Read more ...

Otter's Bend Another newish kid on Bonnievale’s thriving weekend block, Otter's Bend is a picturesque farm with a pair of attractive country cottages appointed a bread-crust throw from a charming little dam with two jetties, various watercraft and (nervo... Read more ...

River Magic Cottages The name isn’t an exaggeration – both the setting and the three cottages, Backtrack, Glory Be and Base Huis, are magical. Set 300m from the river, Backtrack is an architecturally-styled stone, thatch and... Read more ...

Rivierplaas Cottages River House and Stone Cottage are secluded cottages appointed on a fruit farm along the banks of the Breede River. Both have a relaxed rustic personality suited to Budget weekenders with Huckleberry Finn leanings. River House is ... Read more ...

Suikerbossie Guest Farm Suikerbossie has evolved in leaps and bounds since the Budget Brak first visited a few years ago. What started out as a rough and ready experience is now the ‘safari getaway’ of the Koue Bokkeveld. A 1700ha farm pressed deep into this ... Read more ...

Toy Cottages Named after owner Toy Slabbert, but could also be a reference to their dollhouse qualities, Toy Cottages comprise three neat and lovingly cared for units spilling onto manicured green lawns, vineyards and a particularly attractive section of ... Read more ...

Vogelgezang Farm Cottages Oh boy, not another Budget gem! (Hey, somebody has to do this job!) This time it’s an historic 600ha farm running shoulder-to-shoulder with De Mond Nature Reserve and more or less equidistant from Arniston, Struisbaai and Bredasdorp. Apart f... Read more ...