Lifestyle

Rail travel enthusiast Brian Berkman has been on some of the most famous and glamorous train journeys in the world. He recently explored Mossel Bay’s delightful Santos Express, a stationary train that offers superb views of the sea at affordable prices.

At this guest house on a game farm in North West, visitors are provided with a comfortable stay and plenty of things to see and do, including hunting exotic game species, says Riaan Hattingh.

There are few things in life as satisfying as whipping up a jar of home-made jam. This batch is easy to prepare, and is made entirely from natural ingredients, says Michael Feldmann.

Enjoy the freedom of being the only guests at this farmhouse, just off the N3 en route to Durban, where you can enjoy a variety of actvities, or simply relax and unwind, says Riaan Hattingh.

Spring has arrived, and to celebrate, here are two delicious recipes that combine colour, freshness and taste. Both make good use of appetising Sweet Palermo peppers.

The Faraway Estate manor house stands in the foothills of Villiersdorp’s Stettynsberg on a working olive, fig and pomegranate farm. The self-catering country escape with its large gourmet kitchen will delight culinary enthusiasts looking for a breakaway among mountain scenery, writes Brian Berkman.

Brian Berkman recently travelled to apple and wine country in the Overberg region to experience true Cape farm hospitality at Paul and Nicky Wallace’s property in the Elgin Valley. Paul Wallace Wines offers a tranquil getaway for anyone looking for a farm break close to Cape Town, and is a special treat for wine lovers.

B’sorah Luxury Tented Camp, located between the Hartbeespoort Dam and the Magaliesberg, offers a scenic and relaxing weekend break less than an hour from Gauteng for hiking and mountain biking enthusiasts, nature lovers and birders.

These are the best brownies in the world, and will have your family coming back for more, says Janine Ryan. They have a fudge-like texture and are packed with chocolate!

Brian Berkman discovers a tranquil, luxurious and perfectly located farm near Beaufort West, and suggests that it’s a road-trip stop deserving of at least a two-night stay.

This surprisingly delicious and simple one-pan dish by English food celebrity Nigella Lawson has become my go-to recipe for easy and tasty dinners, says Denene Erasmus. She adds that it’s very important to cook the baby peas from frozen, otherwise they go mushy.

Welcoming farm sounds and smells, a large stoep, activities in nature, and tranquillity await visitors of the farm Houtenbek in Mpumalanga.

Since diversifying into accommodation and fine dining in 1991, Free State Merino farm De Oude Kraal has become a landmark. Brian Berkman recently visited it and soon understood why it has gained its excellent reputation.

Dominique Marchand says her recipe for tiramisu was inspired by Table Mountain. This tiramisu needs only a few ingredients, requires no baking and can be made in a jiffy!

Fly fishing is as synonymous with the Eastern Cape district of Barkly East as are Merino wool and snow-capped mountains in winter. As Mike Burgess writes, the legacy of fly fishing in the region is not only rich, but evolving.

Traditional meets modern in this easy-to-make meal. A roasted leg of lamb meets a boozy ice cream bombe to really ignite the jolliness of the season.

In the past, Christmas lunch in our family was an event of 50 to 60 relatives, friends and neighbours, held on the back lawn of my grandparents’ house under the enormous old pecan-nut trees.

Turkey has long been the traditional Christmas lunch on our farm. It takes my mother two days to prepare the whole bird, starting with an overnight brining and ending with half-an-hour in my father’s smoker.

To assist in the annual struggle against cold weather, make and serve this hearty, warming, comforting and fine-tasting meat-free pie.

Recreation in natural areas is an excellent way of reconnecting people with the environment. Besides the educational function, it is also a possible income stream for farmers.