Private Edition Issue 70

WATERSHED WINEMAKER THE CURIOUS CHEF

TOMORROW’S MUSEUMS

FROM THE EDITOR

ISSUE 70 2026

ANEW STUDY by The Bureau of Market Research on online fatigue has revealed what we instinctively know to be true: our ever-growing reliance on our devices is stressing us out.

According to the most recent findings, more than 80 percent of South Africans report experiencing online fatigue (feeling emotionally drained from digital interactions, online meetings, studies, shopping, social media, and the like), and at least seven in every 10 people experience a sense of information overload. More concerning is that, over time, online fatigue has intensified for over 60 percent of respondents.

The antidote, perhaps, is what can be found by flipping through the pages of this magazine – slowing down and accessing a more tangible world. Whether that takes the form of walking through the corridors of an immersive museum, engaging in an epic adventure, delighting in a playful tasting menu or embarking on an off-the-beatentrack trip, why not explore a non-digital world that promises to put you in touch with the here and now.

In ‘Sea Change’ (page 46), we join a crew taking part in what is known as one of the toughest ocean racing challenges available to novice sailors, the Clipper Round the World yacht race. Forty percent of participants have little or no sailing experience before they sign up to take part in single or multiple legs of this seafaring adventure that will challenge them beyond their wildest imaginings.

If what engages you is history and culture, a global wave of new museums underscores how contemporary architecture and design has begun to define the museum experience. Here the structures housing the displays are as much part of the experience as the museum offerings themselves. See ‘Tomorrow’s Museums’ on page 30.

In ‘The Curious Chef’ (page 50), chef-patron of Chefs Warehouse Beau Constantia Ivor Jones shares his playful and adventurous approach to food. The restaurant’s new five-course tasting menu is testimony to his spirit at work and will have you surprised and delighted with every delicious bite.

I find restoration in the wild and try to spend as much time as I can beyond the city limits. Being put in one’s rightful place among the animal kingdom is both comforting and restful for me. Madikwe Game Reserve, bordering Botswana, is a relatively recent discovery – here, open plains guarantee spectacular animal sightings. In ‘Where the Lions Roar’ (page 62), we visit Tau Game Lodge where each private villa overlooks an active watering hole, promising to keep you off your screen for hours! If you’re more of an ocean lover, Constance Ephelia in the Seychelles stretches along the calm, shallow lagoons of South Beach to the deep waters of North Beach, making it an expansive sanctuary for guests seeking to escape it all (see ‘Rhythm of the Tides’ on page 66).

If nothing else, simply sit back, relax and experience all of these worldly delights by flipping through the pages of this magazine.

Happy reading!

SUSAN NEWHAM-BLAKE EDITOR

EDITOR SUSAN NEWHAM-BLAKE snewham@tppsa.co.za

ART DIRECTOR TINA REDDELL

COPY EDITOR WENDY MARITZ

ADVERTISING EXECUTIVE

BERNICE BLUNDELL bernice@adplacements.co.za 073 618 1882

PUBLISHING DIRECTOR SUSAN NEWHAM-BLAKE

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR JOHN MORKEL

HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER LIZ WOLFE

FINANCIAL MANAGER NAEEMA ABRAHAMS

BY

Private Edition is published by The Publishing Partnership (Pty) Ltd, 8th Floor, Tarquin House, 81 Loop Street, Cape Town 8001. Copyright: The Publishing Partnership (Pty) Ltd 2026. No portion of this publication may be reproduced without prior written consent from The Publishing Partnership or the authors. The publishers are not responsible for any unsolicited material. The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of The Publishing Partnership or the editor.

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We meet wine- and spirit-maker Giorgio Dalla Cia, the creator of Meerlust Rubicon – a watershed in South African winemaking – and a man who approaches each of life’s endeavours with philosophical curiosity.

Whether they’re cutting-edge shrines to figurative paintings or to abstract experiences, a global wave of new museums underscores how contemporary architecture and design now define the museum experience.

To mark the Year of the Horse, luxury Swiss watchmakers translate zodiac symbolism into limited-edition timepieces.

46

SEA CHANGE

For some, the Clipper Round the World yacht race is the start of an enduring love affair with ocean sailing. For most, it’s a seafaring adventure that will challenge them beyond their wildest imaginings.

50

THE CURIOUS CHEF

Ivor Jones, chef-patron of Chefs Warehouse Beau Constantia, is known for his adventurous approach to food. We see his spirit at work.

56 IT STARTED IN NAPLES

The Amalfi Coast, a tall sail ship, curated art and a R220 million Stradivarius under the chin of Ray Chen provided a fitting ensemble for the launch of Mercedes-Maybach’s bespoke V12 Edition.

62

WHERE THE LIONS ROAR

On South Africa’s northernmost border, Tau Game Lodge offers a rare experience of wild beauty and quiet indulgence.

66

RHYTHM OF THE TIDES

Constance Ephelia in the Seychelles offers a range of experiences from energetic recreation to quiet environmental pursuits.

The digital luxury guide

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For the best life has to offer, PrivateEdition.co.za is an essential resource.

DESIGN

Art de vivre

THE NEW COLLECTION BY ROCHE BOBOIS IMAGINES NEW SHAPES, NEW SHADES OF COLOUR AND NEW COMBINATIONS OF MATERIALS.

This standout piece by international leader in high-end furniture Roche Bobois showcases the art of living. Designed by Cédric Ragot, and inspired by the shape of dolphins, it embodies the biomorphic, modern aesthetic so characteristic of Ragot’s work. This expertly designed leather chair, whose configuration creates a ‘suspended’ or ‘hammock’ effect, is as elegant as it is comfortable.

rochebobois.com

TASTINGS

An unfolding story

DESIGN

Statement piece

SOME OBJETS D’ART NEED FEW WORDS TO MAKE AN IMPRESSION.

The ultimate symbol of strength and majesty, the Shimansky Untamed Panther ring is masterly crafted in 18 karat gold and set with 324 pavéd diamonds and marquise-cut tsavorite. shimansky.com

ERINVALE ESTATE HOTEL & SPA’S NEW SIGNATURE RESTAURANT, BLOOM, OFFERS A TABLE D’HÔTE MENU OF REFINED DINING WITH DEEP LOCAL ROOTS.

Executive head chef Sebastian Smith has worked closely with small-scale farmers and local artisans to celebrate South African produce of exceptional quality and craft. Avoiding ‘farm-to-table’ clichés, however, his menu tells the slow and deliberate story of growth – a careful tending of the earth from seed to harvest – with courses named like chapters (‘Welcome the seed’ and ‘Fed with the harvest’) that trace a skillful narrative arc.

Each ingredient becomes a character with real depth, formed by one of South Africa’s many culinary lineages. You’ll find bokkoms (fish biltong), umngqusho (samp and beans) and sour fig alongside distinctive local cheeses like boerenkaas, and an aromatic buchu tea palette-cleanser served mid-plot. Wine pairings explore the range of South African terroirs, from Groote Post on the West Coast to Lowerland in the Northern Cape.

The setting delivers a combination of elegance and warmth. Earthy tones and textures extend Bloom’s culinary point of view, while striking floral relief murals reference Erinvale’s indigenous gardens.

Altogether, Bloom delivers more than a meal. An experience that lingers, like a good story, beyond the final course, it makes a compelling case for turning dinner into a destination – and a night at Erinvale into something worth savouring. erinvale.co.za

TASTINGS

PRIVATE TIME

Daring design

A SUBLIME RADO TIMEPIECE CREATED IN COLLABORATION WITH AN AVANT-GARDE DESIGNER CELEBRATES INDIVIDUALITY.

Bold, unconventional and uber-stylish, Rado’s collaborations with French-Austrian designer Marina Hoermanseder simply exude high fashion. Her daring design language brings a playful dimension to the flagship Captain Cook range of retro-inspired classic divers’ watches, with two iconic timepieces that invite wearers to indulge their sense of creativity.

Wines that shine

SOUTH AFRICAN CELLAR MASTER RECOGNISED AS GLOBAL CHENIN BLANC WINEMAKER.

Spier Wine Farm’s cellar master, Johan Jordaan, has been named the Master Chenin Blanc Winemaker for the second consecutive year at the prestigious Master Winemaker 100 held in Paris, France, earlier this year.

The award positions Spier as one of the world’s leading producers of Chenin Blanc and confirms South Africa’s continued excellence in the varietal.

This extraordinary achievement follows on the outstanding performances by two Spier Chenin Blanc wines in the 2025 Global Wine Masters competition. The Spier 21 Gables Chenin Blanc 2023 received the competition’s highest honour, the Grand Master award, while the Spier Seaward Chenin Blanc 2024 earned a Master medal, one of only three wines to achieve this distinction.

Reacting to the news, a delighted Jordaan said the recognition reflects Spier’s long-term commitment to intentional winemaking.

‘We plan the wine from the soil to the glass, marrying terroir with the style of wine we intend to make. Central to our winemaking philosophy is soil regeneration, nurturing living, resilient soils that support vine health over the long term rather than pursuing short-term yields. This approach aligns with Spier’s broader commitment to farming practices that restore ecosystems, encourage biodiversity and allow vineyards to express their natural character,’ Jordaan explains.

spier.com

A choice of bracelets and straps – including extra-long options that wrap twice around the wrist – provides wearers with numerous options for self-expression. The ability to complement or contrast an outfit, hairstyle, make-up or mood effortlessly – using the EasyClip system – transforms these watches into inspired symbols of style. rado.com

DESIGN

The greatest icons

WHAT CAN YOU CARRY IN A HANDBAG SO SMALL THAT A PHONE CANNOT FIT? YOU CAN CARRY CULTURE.

Rooted in the Ancient Greek eikon – meaning a likeness portrait or symbolic representation – an icon today reflects ideology, creativity and meaning.

Drawing on the heritage of the Roman High Jeweller, Creative Director of Leather Goods and Accessories Mary Katrantzou presents the Bvlgari Icons Minaudière collection: a series of precious creations defined by Bvlgari’s distinctive aesthetic vocabulary and rich cultural symbolism.

Inspired by more than 140 years of jewellery-making mastery, each Bvlgari Icons Minaudière is conceived as an objet d’art where craftsmanship, materials and meaning converge, creating precious pieces that sit beautifully between jewellery and accessory.

Reimagining five of Bvlgari’s most timeless symbols – Monete, Serpenti, Tubogas, Divas’ Dream and Bvlgari Bvlgari – the collection highlights the Maison’s singular creative language through exquisite metal minaudières that embody both hertiage and innovation.

Each minaudière is, in essence, a jewel carrying the depth of Bvlgari’s narrative, emotion and enduring cultural resonance. bvlgari.com

TASTINGS

Refined elegance

JOHNNIE WALKER BLUE LABEL IS A BLEND FOR THOSE WHO HAVE MASTERED THE ART OF LEGACY AND REFINEMENT.

Inspired by the Old Highland Whisky of 1867 and perfected by master blender Jim Beveridge in 1992, Blue Label is crafted for individuals who have risen through precision, purpose and taste. More than a whisky, it’s a reflection of who you are.

Drawn from distilleries across the four corners of Scotland, only one in 10 000 casks is chosen for its remarkable depth of character. The result is a whisky that opens with an enticing aroma, blossoms into layers of rich flavour on the tongue, and leaves a finish as lasting as your legacy.

Every bottle carries a promise of exclusivity. For those who savour success, celebrate progress, and collect moments as they do milestones, Blue Label is the companion of choice. A whisky as refined and remarkable as the person raising the glass.

johnniewalker.com

TASTINGS

Elevated

JOHANNESBURG’S GRAND DAME HAS RECENTLY ROLLED IN A NUMBER OF CHANGES BUT ITS ICONIC CLIFFSIDE LOCATION, ITS EXCELLENT SERVICES AND JOIE DE VIVRE REMAIN EVERGREEN. BY KEITH BAIN

Guests of Johannesburg’s most iconic hotel, The Westcliff, can now hop in a helicopter for an aerial survey of the city. It’s especially thrilling during jacaranda season when much of the city is covered in purple blooms. Jozi chopper tours are among several ‘nowhere else’ experiences on offer at The Westcliff, a Four Seasons property that sprawls magnificently across the nearvertiginous slopes of the suburb-on-a-hill. Westcliff is, in colonial terms, a neighbourhood with an illustrious history, full of elegant mansions with extraordinary gardens, and plenty of tucked-away

nooks and crannies, some with sensational views. The hotel, though, is a landmark, not only because of its elevated location, but also its tradition of warm hospitality that has long made it a favourite hang-out among Joburg residents who come for sundowners with views that never disappoint. For a daytime kick, there’s a sumptuous high tea that’ll knock your socks off –particularly if you arrange a helicopter flip and wash down the experience with pastry chef Nathan Jacobs’s tower of sweet pastries and savoury treats, served with a choice of teas and tisanes. And bubbly, too, of course. From beef short rib amagwinya and flaky mushroom empanadas to hazelnut and blackberry financiers and cassis and white chocolate vacherins, Jacobs has a knack for channelling scrumptious flavours into bite-size mouthfuls and luxury finger sandwiches. No matter what’s on the menu, included are the rather surreal bird’s-eye views of the leafy neighbourhoods below. fourseasons.com/Johannesburg/

MASTER OF MATERIALS

TASTINGS

Making waves

AMURA, BELMOND MOUNT NELSON HOTEL’S NEWEST RESTAURANT, IS A BREATH OF FRESH SEA AIR. BY MARTIN

JACOBS

Longtime admirers of the Nellie will be delighted with the news of the opening of Amura, a fine-dining celebration of our oceans’ bounty that culinary director Ángel León describes as an immersive marine experience.

The multi-Michelin-starred chef is globally respected for his ongoing commitment to preserving our oceans’ ecosystems, mostly from his Andalusian restaurant, Aponiente. Mother City diners can now experience León’s culinary mastery. ‘To cook in Cape Town is to feel the ocean from another angle, another culture, another heartbeat,’ he says. ‘Here the sea speaks with a different salt, a different light. We didn’t come to impose; we came to learn.’ This he’s done, as has head chef Guillermo Salazar, whose career highlights include Eleven Madison Park.

Amura’s menu is a breath of ozonic air, with delicate dishes, flavourful and light like much Iberian cooking, especially seafood. Our favourites include a garum-cured scallop with samphire and citrus, and smoked Cape salmon served with a potato latke and buttermilk sauce. Designed for sharing, a memorable tuna schnitzel is accompanied by several sides.

Such treats from our coastline are echoed in local interior architect Tristan du Plessis’s sumptuous interiors. Below kelpinspired chandeliers, marble, glass, leather and rattan combine to create a look that nods to the glory days of ocean liners. belmond.com

ART Terroir, time and creativity

IN A CONVERGENCE OF FINE ART AND VITICULTURAL CRAFTSMANSHIP, GRAHAM BECK UNVEILS ITS INAUGURAL ARTIST’S RETREAT.

An immersive residency that invites acclaimed creatives to reinterpret the estate’s profound sense of place has been launched by Graham Beck. Conceived as a celebration of terroir, artistry and the pursuit of excellence, the initiative positions Graham Beck at the intersection of luxury, culture and innovation.

Set against 3 000 hectares of limestone-rich terrain and protected nature reserve, the Artist’s Retreat grants creators full access to the environment that defines Graham Beck’s Cap Classique.

The first chapter in this ongoing series welcomed celebrated multidisciplinary artist Michael Chandler, whose work is revered for its sensitivity to craft, history and materiality. Following a previous collaboration, Chandler returned to the Robertson estate to create a singular piece: a hand-painted ceramic wine egg, realised over three days in the heart of the vineyards.

For Chandler, this meant stepping directly into the landscape to gather his own pigments. Using chalky limestone and decomposed granite sourced from the estate’s vineyards, he transformed the raw earth into delicate colour.

Chandler’s chosen canvas, the ceramic wine egg, is itself an object of design and innovation. Within Graham Beck’s cellar, these eggs serve as fermentation vessels prized for their purity of form and function. Their smooth curvature encourages a natural circulation of wine, while the porous ceramic allows gentle oxygen exchange – both techniques revered for shaping texture with elegance and restraint.

The completed ceramic wine egg now resides within the estate’s Innovation Cellar – a sanctuary devoted to exploration and the future of Cap Classique. grahambeck.com

PHILOSOPHICALLY SPEAKING

Meerlust Rubicon is considered something of a watershed moment in South African winemaking. Creating it required the uncompromising tenacity of someone like Giorgio Dalla Cia, a wine- and spirit-maker who approaches each of his life’s endeavours with philosophical curiosity.

WORDS KEITH BAIN

MY BLOOD IN ITALY was three-quarters grappa, one-quarter wine,’ says Giorgio Dalla Cia. ‘Now it’s three-quarters wine, one-quarter grappa.’

Giorgio, a certified ‘living legend’ thanks to what he’s done for the wine industry, arrived in South Africa with his wife and two children in 1974. He’d wanted to get away from Italy, where Red Brigade terrorism and political corruption were rife. It was an opportunity for a fresh start: he was 33, didn’t speak English, and what he knew about South Africa he’d gleaned from pictures of wildlife, mountains and vineyards in glossy magazines. He’d been unaware of apartheid, and was initially mystified by the ‘German dialect’ spoken by his neighbours in Pretoria.

In Italy, he’d had little opportunity to make wine, despite growing up in the northerly Friuli region, regarded as among the best wine-growing areas in the country. Visually dominated by the Dolomites mountain range, the Friuli is also known for its grappa, and Giorgio spent his twenties using his extensive oenological training to manage the family distillery where most of his time was devoted to producing the distinctive Italian spirit that’s made from winemaking’s discarded grape skins.

Little did Giorgio know that within a few years of his arrival in South Africa, he’d be ushering into existence a now-legendary Bordeaux-style red wine for Meerlust. Aptly named Rubicon when it was finally released in 1984, it irrevocably altered perceptions of what could be achieved in South African cellars.

That he ended up at Meerlust when he did was entirely serendipitous. After a few years in Pretoria, Giorgio found himself at Bergkelder in Stellenbosch, where he fell in love with the environment. The mountains reminded him of the Dolomites and the forests were full of wild porcinis. ‘What was not to love? Crayfish cost 50 cents and the wines were mostly very good,’ he says. One issue was the winemaking technology, which was about 20 years behind Italy. It was a gap he saw as an opportunity.

In 1978, Giorgio, on loan from Bergkelder, was sent to spend a pressing season at Meerlust. The owner, Nico Myburgh, was so impressed with the Italian that he refused to let him leave.

Both men were in love with great French wine. As a student, Giorgio’s eyes had been opened to the beauty of French wines, which were so different to what he’d known in Italy.

Myburgh had had a similar French epiphany, having recognised terroir and climate similarities between Bordeaux and Stellenbosch’s Eerste River Valley, where Meerlust is situated. He became transfixed by the idea of creating a wine that would highlight such similarities, perhaps shake up the local wine industry and enable producers to break free from the bulk-market approach that defined South Africa’s heavily regulated industry.

‘A great French wine had not yet arrived in Italy, but here, 10 000 kilometres away, there was this guy who wanted to make a Bordeaux-style wine,’ says Giorgio. ‘It was pure coincidence that we met, but I’d been blessed.’

Perhaps the real blessing, though, was that Myburgh had found a winemaker who not only possessed the ability to think

OPPOSITE PAGE

Giorgio Dalla Cia at Pane E Vino, an Italian food and wine bar adjoining the family distillery he runs with his son in Stellenbosch’s Bosman’s Crossing.

LEFT Giorgio Dalla Cia in his signature hat, with his son, George, and George’s wife, Elena, at the entrance of their family business.

BELOW Giorgio and George Dalla Cia testing the fruits of their labours straight from the barrel.

outside the box, but who also shared his vision and had grown up with the grapes he wanted to work with.

Years of experimentation followed, their focus always on emulating great Bordeaux blends. They arrived at the decision to combine the aroma and flavour characteristics of Cabernet Sauvignon with 20% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc in order to add complexity.

Although he can now claim years of practical experience, Giorgio says most of what he has done in life has been motivated by an obsessive desire to create beautiful things – and an unwillingness to compromise. It’s a leaning that served him well in his pursuit of great wine. ‘There are times when I say, “Oh, yes, this wine is great!” Then I will think about it and say, “But, I’m sure I can improve it!”’

He says it was childhood introversion, the result of dyslexia, that made him feel academically inferior and caused him to pursue knowledge in his own way. What he had was natural curiosity and a sense of wonder about the world, and so he developed a talent for lateral thinking, which gave him a different vision of life. ‘I’m a little bit of this, a little bit of that,’ he says. ‘I read a lot of history and a lot of philosophy.’

Giorgio says it’s his tendency to philosophise – to think more deeply about things – that gives him direction. ‘If you’re not a philosopher, you’re not going to achieve anything in your life. You can’t be a writer. You can’t be a singer. You can’t be a chef.’

And, certainly, he believes that any half-decent winemaker must also be a philosopher.

It’s in this context that he metaphorically rolls his eyes at the idea that any one wine – even the Bordeaux-style blend that has earned him such acclaim – should be the focus of too much adoration. ‘If for some reason a journalist tells you that your wine is the best in the world, you would be naïve to believe him,’ he says.

While Meerlust Rubicon has become an icon, Giorgio is wary of hype. He’s also quietly dismissive of the attention on himself, shrugs off the accolades, winces at the hyperbole.

‘They phoned me a few years ago and said they’d decided to give me a document to prove that I’m a living legend,’ he says of the moment he was officially accorded Living Legend status at the 2016 Veritas Awards. ‘I said, “Thank you for calling me a living legend but, you know, in Italy you become a legend only after you’re dead?” So, I guess I was surprised but, at the same time, also amused about the idea of being a living legend.’

He says he has no desire to become a prima donna. ‘I’ve met too many prima donnas in my life and it’s not for me, because I’m essentially an introvert.’

When asked if being referred to as a legend goes against something innately Italian in his character, he says, ‘No. In Italy they have the same opinion of me, but they don’t tell me about it because they’re waiting for me to die. In the meantime, the President of Italy has sent me a knighthood. Typically, if you get knighted, they also give you a horse. So I was happy about the medal but I didn’t see any horse.’

The knighthood was awarded in 1986 and Giorgio is still wondering when the horse will arrive.

He’s not entirely dismissive of the knighthood, of course. It pairs well with the IWSC Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande Trophy (for the world’s best blended red wine), which he won for his 2001 Meerlust Rubicon, and the 2005 Winemaker of the Year title bestowed on him in Friuli. But Giorgio is perhaps too philosophical to believe it’s even credible to assign such superlative monikers to anything as mercurial as winemaking. While he speaks eloquently of the science that helps ensure that a wine will be capable of ageing (tannins and polyphenols being a wine’s ‘backbone’), he highlights, too, the many variables – climate and weather, barrel quality, a winemaker’s decision about when to harvest – that will affect a wine, one vintage to the next. ‘Wine is not like Coca-Cola or beer that always tastes exactly the same because it’s made formulaically. Wine isn’t a formula – there is always a winemaker deciding when to leave the grapes on the vine a little bit longer. If you harvest too early,

FAR LEFT Giorgio Dalla Cia applying his palate to Meerlust Rubicon, the seminal Bordeaux-style red blend that he helped create in the early 1980s, ushering in a new vision of what South African wines could be.

LEFT Giorgio, pictured with a bottle of Dalla Cia Teano, is honoured by the various accolades, but also amused by them. He says he still hasn’t received the horse that typically accompanies the Italian knighthood bestowed on him in 1986.

you’re not going to make a great wine. Or, if you get caught out, you might only make a mediocre wine. But at least you had the opportunity to make a great wine. So, if you don’t take a risk, you’ll never succeed.’

Giorgio helped bring other innovations to Meerlust, including the introduction of grappa once KWV’s apartheid-era restrictions on spirits production were lifted. ‘When I arrived in Stellenbosch, I saw all these beautiful grape skins being thrown away or used as fertiliser. In those days, you could produce only brandy, and KWV, in any case, had a monopoly. It was only after Mandela that it became legal to produce other spirits and because I grew up with grappa, I knew how to make it.’

Producing gorgeous grappa remains part of Giorgio’s continuing obsession with beautiful things.

In 2004, Giorgio’s youngest son, George, convinced his father to take early retirement from Meerlust and join him in growing their family business, the Dalla Cia Wines & Spirits Company. Along with six classically styled wines, they produce a grappa range capable of meeting Giorgio’s high standards. In addition, the Dalla Cias run an Italian food and wine bar – Pane E Vino –alongside the distillery in Stellenbosch’s Bosman’s Crossing. It’s the ideal spot to engage Giorgio in conversation about wine (or mushrooms or antiques or history) that will undoubtedly pivot to philosophy. If you’re curious, he will share a lifetime’s knowledge of grappa with you, too.

The secret to great grappa, Giorgio explains, is working with very fresh raw material. ‘Basically, you should distil it within two days – before the skin begins to oxidise and deteriorate.’

He says that oxidation causes a build-up of undesirable materials in the spirit. ‘It becomes – like many grappas in Italy – undrinkable, suitable as paint remover, but not good to serve, unless it’s to your mother-in-law or your best enemy!’

Part of the secret is having the right distilling technology. ‘And if you don’t know how to remove the impurities from the beautiful part of grappa, you should rather drink something else.’

George says it’s precisely Giorgio’s fastidious approach and uncompromising attitude that make him such a formidable figure. He also calls him a typical Taurus. ‘He’s full of bull,’ George says, with all the love in his heart, ‘a perfectionist’.

‘I’m obsessed,’ Giorgio explains. ‘I’m happy, but I’m never too happy. Because there’s always a challenge. Next time, I want to prove myself a little bit better. So I try over and over again. That way I can never be bored.’ 

THIS PAGE The Aldo Frattini Bivouac, conceptualised by Bergamo’s art institution GAMeC, is a free-to-use remote hikers’ shelter that also functions as a micro-museum.

OPPOSITE PAGE Rotterdam’s Fenix Museum of Migration includes a rooftop lookout with views of what was once the world’s largest port.

TOMORROW’S

MUSEUMS

Whether they’re cutting-edge shrines to figurative paintings or to abstract experiences, a global wave of new museums underscores how contemporary architecture and design now define the museum experience.

WORDS MARTIN JACOBS

Stately and symmetrical, the renovated façade of this 1855 building reveals nothing of architect Jean Nouvel’s mechanically innovative interiors. A high-tech pulley-and-cable system allows for 11 customisable floor heights and adaptable skylights.

Technologically-informed spaces FONDATION CARTIER POUR L’ART CONTEMPORAIN

THE ARCHITECT No stranger to innovative museum design, French starchitect Jean Nouvel’s most celebrated works include Paris’s Institut du Monde Arabe and Musée du Quai Branly, and Louvre Abu Dhabi. Having created Fondation Cartier’s prior home on Boulevard Raspail, he partnered with the institution to reimagine its new premises, an 1855 Haussmannian building mere metres from Paris’s Louvre.

THE BUILDING Rather than imposing a contemporary icon onto Paris’s historic centre, Nouvel worked through reinterpretation. Home to the Grands Magasins du Louvre department store between 1887 and 1974, and later Louvre des Antiquaires, the building had become a low-ceilinged warren of antique stalls. Nouvel peeled back this density, preserving the limestone façades that anchor the building within its refined neighbourhood. Newly carved glass apertures invite daylight and street life into the building’s depths, establishing a visual dialogue with its surroundings.

TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION Nouvel’s intervention becomes radical inside. His concept emerged when first visiting the structure: ‘Everything must be removed, all that we can, except for the essential load bearers. We need to gain a sense of space from above, from below, and through the transversality of the building.’ To achieve this, Nouvel replaced the conventional sequence of fixed, neutral galleries with a system of five mobile platforms. Ranging from 200 to 363m² and operated by advanced pulleys and cables, these steel platforms can be set in 11 vertical positions spanning the building’s height. Their movement allows for seemingly limitless configurations: voids open and close, ceiling heights expand, and circulation routes shift to reveal new perspectives across multiple levels.

CHOREOGRAPHY OF SPACE This is an art museum conceived not as a static container but as an adaptable curatorial tool. Nouvel has positioned flexibility as the institution’s defining asset. Fondation Cartier offers a compelling vision for how museums can evolve in an era that demands immersive experiences and inventive ways of engaging the public. fondationcartier.com

Emotionally comforting interiors

POMO MUSEUM

FEMININE POWER Norway’s PoMo Museum’s commitment to women – both as space shapers and as artists – is announced from its first gesture: a bold fuchsia metal-and-glass entrance inserted into the Art Nouveau façade of Trondheim’s former 1911 post office. This threshold signals a conscious break from the austerity that has long defined museum architecture and reflects PoMo’s decision to entrust the building’s transformation to Parisbased interior designer (and architect) India Mahdavi. Her use of colour, curved forms, and insistence on emotional comfort counter the default neutrality of institutional environments, resulting in a gentler, more sensuous museum. This architectural stance mirrors the museum’s curatorial values. PoMo commits sixty percent of its acquisitions budget to women artists, undertaking to correct entrenched gender imbalances within the art world. PoMo has embedded equity into its very identity, expressed in part through the artworks it exhibits and through the spaces in which they live.

THE INTERIOR DESIGNER Best known for the atmospheric sensuality of projects like London’s Sketch, Mahdavi’s design practice is rooted in colour, tactility and hospitality; she treats atmosphere itself as a form of architecture. At PoMo, she softened circulation routes, clarified wayfinding through tonal cues, and shaped transitional zones that feel nurturing rather than imposing; essentially reinterpreting the character-rich building through mood. ‘These “in-between” spaces are treated as colourful and vibrant fragments, offering another form of visual stimulus aside from the exhibition spaces,’ she explains. ‘The scale and the spaces exude a Nordic term that encapsulates emotional comfort, a sense of hygge.’

A GENTLE TOUCH PoMo offers an atmospheric reimagining of what a museum can feel like. Over five storeys, Mahdavi balances architectural intrigue with interior softness. As visitors ascend a curved, mandarin-hued staircase, from neutral basement galleries to a showstopper reading room, colour blooms. It culminates in the latter’s folkloric murals (depicting local crustaceans, flowers and shells painted in greens, yellows and pinks), by Dutch creatives FreelingWaters, complemented by Mahdavi’s custom furniture. pomo.no/en

The emotive appeal of the exterior of Trondheim’s PoMo Museum is matched indoors by India Mahdavi, whose interior design sensibilities have softened the spaces. Mahdavi’s love of colour is apparent in a reading room with bespoke murals by FreelingWaters.

Behind-the-scenes as display V&A

EAST STOREHOUSE

OPENED ARCHIVES Ever wondered what happens behind the scenes of a museum? London’s newest museum expands the scope of the mighty V&A beyond exhibitions, shifting focus to the everyday work of preservation and storage, and bringing previously hidden parts of the collection into public view. More than 600 000 objects and a thousand archives are made visible, turning storage into the attraction. Unlike the V&A Museum’s curated exhibitions and select highlights, V&A East Storehouse reveals the institution’s daily operations.

INSPIRED BY INSTAGRAM This openness is echoed in the museum’s curatorial approach, drawing on the visual language of Instagram’s grid. Objects from different eras, cultures and disciplines are exhibited side by side, freed from conventional chronological or geographic order. A historical colonnade might appear alongside Dior couture, inviting intuitive connections rather than linear narratives. Objects range dramatically in scale, from a housing estate façade to David Bowie’s stage costumes and handheld artefacts. Displays reflect how today’s audiences consume visual culture: through juxtaposition and pattern recognition, allowing meaning to emerge through proximity and association rather than explanation.

THE BUILDING Designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro, the project reflects the studio’s interest in institutional openness. Known for rethinking cultural buildings, the architects treated V&A East Storehouse as a framework rather than a finished object. This contemporary approach is reinforced by utilitarian finishes including concrete floors, exposed services and industrial lighting. Instead of conventional galleries, multi-level voids and suspended walkways permit visitors sightlines deep into the collection. Displays are hacked into shelving units, embedding moments of curation within the archive.

DISCOVERY CHANNELS V&A East Storehouse offers visitors proximity usually reserved for specialists. On-display conservation rooms and initiatives such as Book an Object (permitting visitors hands-on time with items of choice) grant behind-thescenes access, shifting emphasis from spectacle to curiosity. The museum becomes a space of exploration, less about what is presented and more about what can be found. vam.ac.uk/east/storehouse/visit

Inside this museum’s unremarkable exterior, displays are entirely contemporary. Archives and storage, often with unexpected juxtapositions of objects, are the exhibits. They provide an opportunity to get up close and personal with over half a million objects.

Reflecting current affairs FENIX MUSEUM OF MIGRATION

A MUSEUM FOR OUR TIMES Fenix Museum of Migration illuminates a defining condition of contemporary life: movement – forced, chosen, hopeful and complex. Situated in Rotterdam’s historic port, the surrounding docks once served as a departure point for millions of Europeans migrating to America, among them Albert Einstein and Willem de Kooning. Fenix embraces this legacy through an experiential approach that unites architecture, storytelling and testimony. Both the building and its exhibitions present migration not as a distant narrative but as a living global reality that continues to shape identities and cities.

THE ARCHITECT Dezeen Architect of the Year 2025 and TIME100 honouree Ma Yansong, founder of China’s MAD Architects, transformed a 16 000m² warehouse into a museum. Known for prioritising human experience, MAD approached the project with sensitivity to both its emotional subject matter and the building’s industrial past, creating a museum that balances historical preservation with architectural symbolism.

ARCHITECTURAL INTERVENTION Fenix’s most striking architectural gesture is the Tornado, a double-helix staircase clad in polished stainless steel that spirals from the ground to above the rooftop. This ascent becomes a metaphorical journey, echoing the momentum, uncertainty and outward-reaching vision that migration entails. ‘If the path leading to the rooftop observation platform symbolises a journey, then along the way people will encounter others, reflect on themselves, and make choices at each point of intersection,’ Yansong explains. ‘It is a journey shaped by freedom, uncertainty and hope.’

EMOTIONAL BAGGAGE Fenix’s most emotive installation is the Suitcase Labyrinth, a sculptural field of 2 000 donated suitcases that evokes the weight of personal histories and the disorientation of border crossings. Audio recordings of select personal stories accompany the installation. ‘The oldest piece, dating back to 1898, began its journey to the Netherlands aboard the Trans-Siberian Railway,’ notes curator Rutger Doop. ‘The newest is a brightly coloured Samsonite that was still recently in use.’ fenix.nl/en

MAD Architects’ Tornado is a double-helix staircase that spirals upwards through the museum’s atrium and above its roof. Ascending Tornado intentionally evokes feelings of uncertainty and hope, much like the act of migration itself.

Celebrating context SONGZHUANG Z MUSEUM

DEFINED BY CONTEXT Understanding Shanghai-based Team BLDG’s approach to this museum begins with its setting. Songzhuang is a remote mountain village in China, largely untouched by contemporary development and reached via winding and narrow paths. Songzhuang has preserved much of its 600-year-old character, defined by rammedearth houses and intimate courtyards, with only a handful of buildings departing from this vernacular. Among them what would become the museum: an abandoned brick-and-concrete 1990’s house, its scale and materiality both at odds with its surroundings.

THE CREATIVES Architect Xiao Lei and interior designer Wang Lin co-founded Team BLDG in 2012. Working across architecture, interiors and landscape, the studio often repurposes existing buildings as a means of cultural preservation. Briefed to transform the building into a museum dedicated to weaving, the team favoured contrast over disguise, resulting in a contextually-relevant, contemporary building in dialogue with its rural setting.

THE BUILDING Team BLDG transformed the house and an adjacent traditional dwelling into a sequence of exhibition spaces that begin in the latter, repurposed as a dimly-lit entrance that heightens the sensory transition into the museum’s stark interior. Rather than concealing the original building’s density, Team BLDG accentuated it, dividing the structure vertically into four staggered volumes, inserting courtyards between them to form interconnected parts. A vertical atrium functions as a central light well, drawing daylight into the building while visually connecting galleries. Rooftop terraces, semi-transparent shade canopies and reconfigured circulation routes establish continuity across levels.

FRUIT OF THE LOOM Weaving informs both the museum’s curatorial focus and its architectural language. A permeable façade of aluminium square tubes wraps the building, enveloping its solid mass in a lightfiltering skin. Red on three sides and white on one, the tubes form an irregular lattice that evokes the interlacing of warp and weft. As light shifts, the façade subtly changes colour – from pale pink to soft white – binding the museum to its craft-based mission and rural setting. team-bldg.com

Abstracting the museum experience

ALDO FRATTINI BIVOUAC

HIGH DESIGN To what extremes would you travel to experience art? Perched 2 300 metres above sea level in the Italian Alps and accessible only via an eight-hour hike, the new Aldo Frattini Bivouac asks exactly that. First and foremost an emergency refuge for hikers, but equally a conceptual installation, the 8m2 structure appears beacon-like in the rugged landscape. Cork panels line its interior, creating insulation and a domestic contrast to the harsh alpine environment. Furnishings are minimal and emphasise its role as a survival shelter – a bench, sleeping platforms (which convert to stretchers), basic lighting and sparse storage. Yet the bivouac’s conflation of functionality and artistic intent begs the question as to whether a refuge can also function as a museum. And, if so, a museum of what?

‘How is this a museum?’ is perhaps the first question that comes to mind upon seeing this isolated bivouac in the Italian Alps. Few will trek the arduous journey to the shelter, and it is this, in part, that makes the installation a museum to conceptual thinking in eco-conscious times.

THE COLLABORATORS The bivouac was a collaboration between Galleria d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea di Bergamo (GAMeC), the Italian Alpine Club and Studio EX, a research and design studio uniting art, landscape and sustainable technology. Open to all, the new structure is the final component of the two-year project ‘Think Like a Mountain’ of The Orobie Biennial and explores human interaction with extreme landscapes. It embodies the exhibition’s ethos, one that combines environmental consciousness, endurance and aesthetic contemplation.

BUT IS IT ART? The bivouac is unmediated and offers neither curated displays nor narratives, only context and reflection. GAMeC describes it as a ‘high-altitude cultural presence in the mountains that, while not hosting exhibitions or events, offers a unique aesthetic experience in dialogue with the alpine landscape’. Yet its remote location ensures that encountering it is an intentional, earned experience. Should art tourism be encouraged in so pristine an environment? Such concerns complicate the question of how museums might operate in an eco-conscious age. The bivouac challenges what a museum can be today – not a repository of objects, but a space where ideas, environmental care, and human presence converge in an ethical and conceptual encounter. gamec.it/en/the-new-aldo-frattini-bivouac/

DEFENDING THE BRAVE

Iconic adventure brand Defender and the Kingsley Holgate Foundation commemorate their 25-year partnership by traversing Southern Africa, west to east.

DEFENDER AND THE KINGSLEY HOLGATE

Foundation are celebrating 25 years of continuous partnership. This enduring collaboration has seen Defender power the Foundation through more than 40 humanitarian and conservation-focused expeditions across Africa and the globe. Since the partnership began in 2000, Defender has been at the heart of every Kingsley Holgate Foundation expedition, enabling the team to distribute critical humanitarian support far beyond conventional reach.

DEFENDER AFRICA TRAVERSE EXPEDITION

To commemorate this storied partnership, the Kingsley Holgate Foundation embarked on a three-month adventure, dubbed the Defender Africa Traverse, in January 2026.

Paying homage to the Foundation’s famous Capricorn Expedition, which was chronicled in a book and seven-part National Geographic series, the Defender Africa Traverse sees the team travel west to east across Southern Africa. Using two expedition-equipped Defender 130 Outbounds, this purposedriven journey extends from the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean.

Starting from Namibia’s Skeleton Coast, pushing eastward through Botswana, across the Kalahari and finally Mozambique, the expedition covers some of the most incredible landscapes on the continent as it follows the 23°27’ line.

True to purpose, the Defender Africa Traverse expedition places a strong focus on malaria prevention in high-risk regions along the Limpopo River, including the Gaza and Inhambane provinces of Mozambique. Vulnerable communities are provided

with high-quality, long-lasting mosquito nets, along with essential malaria-prevention education, continuing a life-saving initiative that has already reached nearly 1.5 million people. The team has also distributed ‘Rite to Sight’ reading glasses to poor-sighted elderly people across the continent and inspired countless adolescents through the Wildlife Art campaign.

Reflecting on the impact of their many undertakings, expedition leader Ross Holgate describes how magical it is to give the gift of sight back to those who have lost it. ‘It’s like watching someone’s world come back into focus. You can immediately tell that a life has been changed.’ In Africa a child dies from malaria every minute, Holgate adds, which intensifies the need to distribute life-saving mosquito nets. ‘That’s why we’re so grateful to Defender for enabling us to continue to do the work we do.’

Janico Dannhauser, Defender brand manager at JLR South Africa, says, ‘The 25-year milestone is testament to the shared values of adventure and humanitarian service that define the Defender brand and the Kingsley Holgate Foundation. Defender is engineered for extraordinary journeys, and there is no better proof of its capability than enabling the Foundation to reach remote communities and deliver life-changing aid.’

Explorer and humanitarian Kingsley Holgate concludes: ‘The partnership with Defender has been more than just a journey across Africa; it’s been a journey of purpose. For 25 years, these vehicles have been our trusted companions as we’ve crossed every country on the continent, reaching communities in some of the most inaccessible places imaginable. Together with the brand, we’ve proven that adventure can truly change lives.’ 

RUNNING TIME

RUNNING TIME

To mark the Year of the Horse, luxury Swiss watchmakers translate zodiac symbolism into limited-edition timepieces.

THE 17TH OF FEBRUARY 2026 ushered in the Chinese Year of the Horse. Each year, one of the 12 animals in the 60-year zodiac pairs with an element. This year, that means a Fire Horse, the last of which occurred in 1966 – the year the Beatles released Revolver and the Soviet space programme achieved the first soft landing on the Moon.

The horse is a symbol of strength, dynamism and freedom –the bringer of success and good fortune. As such, it gave Swiss watchmakers the opportunity to harness and interpret horse energy in limited-edition timepieces, which aptly express success and good fortune in their own right.

VACHERON CONSTANTIN MÉTIERS D’ART – THE LEGEND OF THE CHINESE ZODIAC – YEAR OF THE HORSE

Vacheron Constantin’s Métiers d’Art series revives increasingly rare decorative techniques, some of them centuries-old. For this edition, an engraved horse – hand-carved by a master craftsperson – comes to life against a background of opaque miniature enamel. Each meticulously cross-hatched hair, the ruggedness of the engraved rock over which the animal rears up, lends a tactile quality to the dial. In keeping with the Métiers d’Art series, it is primarily an artistic surface – a miniature relief or tableau. At just 50 pieces (half in pink gold, half in platinum), the collectability factor is undeniable. The self-winding movement bears the Hallmark of Geneva, introduced in 1886 to guarantee craftsmanship and reliability in watchmaking.

BLANCPAIN VILLERET CALENDRIER CHINOIS

TRADITIONNEL – YEAR OF THE HORSE 2026

The Villeret collection gets a new visual expression to mark the Year of the Horse. In a 45.2mm case, a salmon-rose Grand Feu enamel dial displays painted indications: Chinese double hours (in which an hour comprises 120 minutes and 12 units comprise a day), lunar days and months, the zodiac signs and the five elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, Water) expressed in their Ying/Yang forms. At 6 o’clock, there’s also the moonphase complication. At 12 o’clock, just above the subdial, an aperture displays the current zodiac sun. The Gregorian date is present too, via a blued steel serpentine hand, in a nod to 18th-century horology. The complexity of calendar complications leaves no doubt of the maison’s savoir-faire, and yet it manages to read quite clearly. As for the horse, you’ll find it engraved on the rotor, visible through the sapphire crystal caseback, which also reveals the highly complex inhouse movement – the automatic calibre 3638 with a seven-day power reserve (and hundreds of parts).

ABOVE Through the sapphire back of the Villeret Traditional Chinese Calendar – Year of the Horse 2026, Blancpain reveals a rotor engraved with the zodiac emblem.

LEFT On the dial, the Villeret Traditional Chinese Calendar pairs a warm salmon hue with doublehour indications and moon phases.

The Portugieser Automatic 42 Year of the Horse by IWC Schaffhausen marks the zodiac with a sculpted gold rotor visible through sapphire crystal.

LEFT the

In the Carrera Chronograph Year of the Horse Limited Edition, TAG Heuer channels racing heritage into zodiac celebration.

AUTOMATIC 42 YEAR OF THE HORSE

Part of IWC Schaffhausen’s Portugieser line, the Automatic 42 Year of the Horse Edition is limited to 500 pieces worldwide. Here again, the deep burgundy dial draws from the red tones traditionally associated with the Lunar New Year. Set into relief by the burgundy dial, warm gold hands in the feuille (or leaf) style give the watch a dressy aesthetic, befitting of the Portugieser family. The Pellaton winding system builds up a reserve of up to seven days, and above the power reserve indicator at 3 o’clock, a horse insignia connects this feature to the endurance of the animal (an elite Arabian can run more than 160 kilometres in a day). At 9 o’clock, a small seconds subdial achieves a satisfying symmetry. Turn it over to find the gold-plated rotor, visible through the sapphire glass caseback, cut in the shape of a horse, mane and tail swept back in continuous motion.

TAG HEUER CARRERA CHRONOGRAPH

YEAR OF THE HORSE LIMITED EDITION

Limited to just 250 pieces, this edition combines boldness – the energy of the horse – with restraint. The warm champagne dial, rose-gold hands and indexes, and fiery red accents impart confidence and clarity. Then, at 9 o’clock, the Chinese character for horse replaces the chronograph’s usual running seconds sub-dial in a subtle but distinctive reference to the zodiac. On the sapphire caseback, the reference is explicit. Here, you see the movement with an 80-hour power reserve revealed beneath an etching of a racehorse at full gallop. The manufacturer’s decades-long motorsport legacy lends the symbol of unrestrained energy – or what it dubs ‘the racing spirit’ – added resonance.

JAEGER-LECOULTRE REVERSO TRIBUTE ENAMEL ‘HORSE’

Master artisans enamelled and engraved no more than 10 of Jaegar LeCoultre’s tribute to the Fire Horse in the maison’s Métiers Rares atelier. Each took 80 hours of engraving work alone, using 10 sizes of chisels. First created in 1931, the Reverso initially solved a problem for polo players, who needed to protect the watch dials while out on the field. But its Art Deco appeal, and potential for personalisation on the caseback, soon endeared the style to a broader audience. Nonetheless, the Reverso’s origin story is bound up with the horse, making for an especially apt edition in 2026. Turn the dial to its protective side to reveal a hand-engraved horse, emerging from jet-black Grand Feu enamel – a painstaking process by which successive layers of enamel are applied to silver plates and then fired at temperatures over 800-degrees Celsius. The dial is the same impossibly glossy black with faceted appliqué hour markers, chemin de fer minutes track, and Dauphine hands.

LONGINES

MASTER COLLECTION YEAR OF THE HORSE

Part of the maison’s Master Collection, the Longines Year of the Horse Edition features an engraved motif from Chinese artist Peon Xu’s celebrated painting, ‘Galloping Horse’. Xu was a highly influential 20th-century painter; the ink wash horse is his artistic signature. Visible through the transparent caseback, the animal is etched into the automatic rotor, which harnesses the kinetic energy of the wearer so that the horse appears to gallop forward in real time as the rotor swings. On the dial, a striking red gradient darkens at the edges like an auspicious sunrise. At 6 o’clock sits the moonphase complication – a hallmark for the maison. Therein, the golden moon, in transit across a starry sky, reinforces the zodiac theme. Limited to 2 026 pieces worldwide to match the year, each caseback is inscribed with ‘Year of the Horse – Limited Edition – 2026’.

THE ROTOR HARNESSES THE KINETIC ENERGY OF THE WEARER.

rotor, visible through the sapphire caseback.

BREITLING TOP TIME B01 SHADOW RIDER

– YEAR OF THE HORSE

Limited to just 288 pieces worldwide, Breitling’s tribute to the Year of the Horse takes a retro stance with a decidedly 1960s vibe. There are the vintage contours of the cushion-shaped case (a sleek 38mm). On the dial, there’s the elliptical ‘dashboard’ motif revived from mid-century racing chronographs in the Breitling archive. The horse makes its appearance as a ‘shadow rider’ silhouette in the small seconds subdial (and again on the caseback), and the tachymeter scale reads ‘Year of the Horse’ between 12 and 2 o’clock. A perforated racing strap in calfskin leather continues the classic vintage feel.

HUBLOT THE SPIRIT OF BIG BANG YEAR OF THE HORSE

Limited to 88 pieces, this is a characteristically unconventional, purposefully expressive timepiece from Hublot. In the use of its signature frosted carbon, the maison sets out to ‘push the boundaries of its material innovation’. Sculptured, layered and finished

ABOVE LEFT The Top Time B01 ‘Shadow Rider’ – Year of the Horse by Breitling blends 1960’s chronograph cool with zodiac symbolism.

ABOVE RIGHT In the Spirit of Big Bang Year of the Horse, Hublot renders the zodiac in gold against layered carbon fibre.

by hand, the carbon forms a dial marquetry – a decorative method where many small pieces of material are carefully cut, shaped and assembled to create a single surface. In other words, it’s not stamped or printed from a single sheet. Instead, individual fragments are hand-arranged to lend an almost sculptural dimension to the case. The dial, inspired by art from the Tang Dynasty, depicts the outline of a horse in gold on a black lacquer base. Inside, the automatic mechanical movement (HUB1710) offers a power reserve of 50 hours. Nothing if not assertive, it’s a fitting match for the boldness of the Fire Horse. 

A YEAR OF THE HORSE CAPSULE EDITION FROM MONTBLANC

To mark the Year of the Horse, Montblanc has created a capsule collection by artistic director Marco Tomasetta, including a briefcase, crossbody bag (pictured left) and a selection of small leather items such as a pen pouch, passport holder and notebook.

The collection features Tomasetta’s galloping horse motif, embroidered in red and gold, and is accompanied by two pens –the Meisterstück Burgundy Red and Meisterstück Golden Hour Solitaire – as well as the Star Legacy Moonphase Limited Edition 1786 timepiece.

As well as honouring the 2026 zodiac, it’s a celebration of the enduring tradition of writing – ‘an invitation to write new beginnings’ in the form of handwritten wishes for the year ahead.

SEAMLESS ESCAPES

Regal Escapes curates luxurious journeys crafted across oceans, continents and cultures, and always with a sense of legacy.

GUIDED BY DECADES OF EXPERTISE and first-hand experience, Regal Escapes creates experiences that speak to the heart and soul. Every journey is a storytelling moment, a chapter in your personal travel legacy – thoughtfully designed for discerning travellers who expect the exceptional as standard.

Drawing on the finest partner suppliers worldwide, from iconic hotels and boutique hideaways to ultra-luxury cruises and intimate yachts, Regal Escapes curates seamless, end-toend itineraries that feel both effortless and deeply personal. International flights, private transfers and bespoke destination extensions are all meticulously crafted around you. Finishing touches, such as hard-to-get dining reservations, theatre and event tickets, private celebrations, wellness experiences, and discreet concierge support while you travel, can also be arranged.

Co-founders CEO Thomas Matthew Miles-Nell and Sales Director Alwin James Miles-Nell combine decades’ long experience in advertising, marketing and brand development with a reputation for delivering exceptional luxury travel experiences.

With first-hand expertise, privileged relationships, and an unwavering commitment to detail, Regal Escapes transforms travel into legacy journeys – the kind you’ll remember, retell and relive for years to come.

Discerning travellers choose Regal Escapes not only for their expertise, but for their intuition. Regal Escapes understands that true luxury isn’t excess, it’s ease, presence, privacy and knowing every detail is handled, in pursuit of discovering the extraordinary.

Your journey begins here. regalescapes.com

The world’s most gruelling ocean race for amateurs, the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, is designed to give even first-time sailors a chance to experience the maritime equivalent of scaling Mount Everest.

SEA CHANGE

For some, it’s the start of an enduring love affair with ocean sailing. For most, it’s a seafaring adventure that will challenge them beyond their wildest imaginings.

WORDS KEITH BAIN

THE TASK SEEMED SIMPLE ENOUGH. We’d volunteered to hoist the sail. Two crew members ushered us towards the front of the boat where ropes were tethered to the mast. Each colour-coded rope controlled a different kind of sail, the prevailing wind determining which was required. Easy enough, I assumed, and gripped the rope that was handed to me, then braced for action, waiting for my cue. There’s a technique to hoisting the sail, I learnt, pulling with all my might for the entire length of my body so I could get my full weight behind each downward thrust.

At first the sail glided smoothly upwards like a hot knife through butter. But then, a few full-body heaves in, it began fighting me. With only a few inches to go, the rope refused to budge. I felt the entire crew’s eyes on me, collective breaths held as I winced and strained, utterly defeated.

What they knew but I did not was that the final bit of hoisting required the ‘coffee grinders’, a set of manually-operated winches that do in fact look like gigantic coffee grinders and are operated by two pairs of arms. Trimming the sail, I realised, is a team effort, more about working in sync than possessing arm strength.

Later, after a few hours of smooth sailing around Table Bay, learning to stow ropes and work the grinders for a bit, I got a turn at the tiller, skippering the boat back towards the harbour.

Ahead, the city and mountains grew steadily larger as a light wind whipped my face, the sense of control over this sleek, state-ofthe-art vessel was about the most glorious sensation on earth. Get it right, and sailing makes you feel like you can achieve just about anything.

Not that I’d been expecting to hoist a sail, let alone steer. That morning, we’d boarded one of the yachts participating in the Clipper Round the World yacht race for just a tiny taste of what competitors in one of humanity’s great maritime adventures get to experience for weeks on end.

Remarkably, many of the crew we met that morning had themselves first learned to sail only a few months before. Even though most participants have more experience behind them, around 40 percent have little or none before they sign up. They can opt to take part in single or multiple legs of the race with those signed up to complete the full circumnavigation scheduled to arrive in Portsmouth in the UK in July 2026 having set sail in August 2025.

More than 7 000 people and three generations of Clipper fleets have competed in what is considered the toughest ocean racing challenge available to novice sailors. In this, the 14th edition, there are 10 boats competing, each with up to 22 crew members. According to Dylan Kotze, a South African who is one of the professional skippers taking part, the yachts are designed

‘ONCE YOU REALISE THAT YOU CAN’T DO THIS ALONE, YOU DISCOVER SOMETHING INCREDIBLY PROFOUND ABOUT WHAT IT IS TO BE HUMAN.’

for extreme ocean-racing conditions, but are stripped of all luxuries, built to be rugged and reliable, with minimal reliance on complex systems. In other words, it offers a taste of old-school sailing, albeit aboard a sleek, formidable vessel.

It’s no luxury tournament and there are few creature comforts. No first-class berths, no smart amenities, no quiet sanctuaries to escape to.

‘Watch your head,’ Kotze warns as he takes us below deck. ‘There are quite a few things to bump heads on.’ As we explore the tight quarters, what strikes me most is the absolute absence of private space. Much of the below-deck area is for the storage of the sails, ultimately the most important resource after the humans themselves.

‘This is the galley,’ Kotze says, pointing out the narrow, cramped cooking area. A couple of metres away is the navigation system. Nearby bunks shared by crew members are squished together among the dry pantry goods that have been bought for the next leg, a 28-day crossing of around 5 000 nautical miles from the V&A Waterfront to Fremantle, Australia.

‘We’ve got two watches: one team sails while the other sleeps,’ Kotze explains. ‘They share bunks, so when teams swap over they just turn the mattress around. It gets quite tight in there.’

It could only look inviting through the lens of exhaustion, the inevitable result of perpetual physical exertion and challenge, which is precisely what these crew members have signed up for.

By the time they arrived in Cape Town in November, the crews had already seen some serious action, departing Portsmouth in August, stopping in Spain, and crossing the equator all the way down to Uruguay before heading back across the Atlantic to Cape Town. ‘We’ve done more than 10 000 nautical miles of sailing already,’ Kotze says, pointing out the route on the electronic screen.

There had been the rough weather in the Bay of Biscay where they’d been hit by powerful winds for hours, and crossing the doldrums was another anticipated challenge. Such wild times are precisely why people choose to participate: a chance to meet the unknown and find out what they’re capable of. It’s not only the rookies who relish the experience. Kotze, who has been sailing his entire life, called it the opportunity of a lifetime. ‘To sail around the world is something I’ve been looking forward to my whole life – it’s definitely a big challenge for me. And to do it with the Clipper Race is mind-blowing.’

There’s a look of exhilaration and awe when you ask crew members about the rough seas and hectic waves, a sense of surviving something unimaginable. Everyone spoke about the incredible marine wildlife – pilot whales and dolphins and large schools of mahi-mahi swimming alongside the boat. And there was the thrill of witnessing a huge electrical storm as they approached South America. ‘Like gigantic strobe lights across the night sky,’ says Kotze.

While the leg from Cape Town to Fremantle means navigating the less-than-ideal conditions – enormous swells and extreme cold – of the Roaring Forties, even more challenging is the later Pacific crossing from Tongyeong City in South Korea to Seattle, Washington. During this difficult section of the race, crews face huge depressions that roll across every few days, causing hurricane-level winds and waves of more than 20 metres –extreme sailing unlike anywhere else on earth. It’s hostile and arduous, but also beautiful and one hell of an adventure, which is what participants are seeking.

Once accepted, participants complete an intensive fourweek training programme to learn everything from safety and navigation to advanced racing tactics and survival at sea.

The race, which spans 40 000 nautical miles, has taken place, on average, every two years for three decades. It’s the brainchild

THIS PAGE Clipper crews face fluctuating conditions that include long stretches of wild water, extreme cold and tremendous waves. While these crews are a mix of first-timers, amateurs and more experienced sailors looking for the ultimate challenge, every boat is skippered by a professional seaman, like South Africa’s Dylan Kotze (pictured below).

OPPOSITE PAGE If anything, Clipper crews complained that conditions as they approached Cape Town last November were too calm; racing becomes extremely frustrating when there’s idyllic weather and limited wind.

of Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, a maritime adventurer who was the first person to sail solo non-stop around the world. He did so in 312 days, completing his circumnavigation in April 1969. He was awarded a CBE in recognition, but says the reason he did it was because ‘I didn’t want to look at myself in the shaving mirror at age 90 wishing I’d done it’.

Applicants require drive, fortitude and enthusiastic spirit, and perhaps a bit of naïve self-belief. There’s nothing cushy about the experience, and participants quickly discover that neither the weather nor the waves stop because someone’s having a bad day.

‘The fact is that if something goes wrong you can’t change the channel,’ says Knox-Johnston. ‘You’ve got to get up and deal with it. It’s very much a hands-on thing – seamanship is learned through your hands, not through books. Sailing a boat isn’t just sitting back in a cockpit or steering, it’s knowing everything about the boat, keeping the boat going, keeping it maintained. It’s highly practical and that’s what the four-week training is all about – we try and turn out all-round sailors at the end of it, with safety a priority.’

Kotze says the training is extremely thorough. ‘Lots of manoverboard drills, learning to get the sails up and down, tacking, jibing, and being able to do all the manoeuvres on the boat.’

All the boats are the same, nothing to distinguish one from the next. ‘They’re all identical 70-foot boats and it’s really up to the crew to make them go as fast as they can,’ says Kotze. ‘That’s where the race lies.’

Kotze says the competitive aspect ultimately comes down to skill with the sails. ‘It’s the sail set up that you use and how long you can push certain sails in different wind conditions. Navigation is obviously very important as it determines what weather, wind and currents we experience, but fine-tuning and trimming the sails and helming are crucial determinants of speed.’

He says the smallest differences add up to make the hugest impact over such a long period and it’s been very close racing at times. ‘We do thousands of miles and sometimes there’s just 10 minutes separating two boats at the finish, so it can really be quite exciting.’

‘My greatest satisfaction is looking at them when they come back,’ says Knox-Johnston. ‘Someone who is 18 at the start has the headspace of a 24-year-old at the finish. They’ve matured so much. Even a CEO aged 60 comes back standing taller. They’ve done something with their lives. They don’t have to boast about it, but within themselves they know they’ve done something special.’

As much as it’s an experience of physical participation and rising to an unimaginable challenge, Kotze says the race also provides a unique set of conditions for something far deeper. ‘It’s a relentless environment in which everyone relies intensely on one another,’ he says. ‘Once you realise that you can’t do this alone, you discover something incredibly profound about what it is to be human.’ 

THE CURIOUS CHEF

Ivor Jones, chef-patron of Chefs Warehouse Beau Constantia, is known for his playful and adventurous approach to food. The restaurant’s new five-course tasting menu is testimony to his spirit at work.

WORDS SUSAN NEWHAM-BLAKE

THE EVENINGS AT BEAU have always carried a certain magic,’ says Ivor Jones, Cape Town-born chef-patron of Chefs Warehouse Beau Constantia. ‘Our exciting new five-course menu gives us the chance to harness that atmosphere and take our guests on a more immersive journey.’

Co-owned by restaurateur Liam Tomlin, the restaurant, which celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, has steadily built a reputation for innovation and excellence. Recent awards include three Plates from JHP Gourmet Guide 2025, three Luxe Stars at the 2025 Luxe Restaurant Awards, and consistently being ranked as one of the Top 10 Restaurants in South Africa by Eat Out Jones is known for his adventurous, original approach to food and describes himself as ‘curious, playful and slightly wild, but always chasing flavour’. He admits he is one of those people who asks ‘what if’ about 10 times a day. ‘What if we roast it instead of poaching it? What if we take something classic and twist it

TOP LEFT AND ABOVE Co-owner and executive chef Ivor Jones; braaied linefish with mussel salad and prawn-and-scallop sui mai –a masterclass in plating and taste.

OPPOSITE PAGE The five-course tasting menu offers guests a culinary journey that includes smoked beef tartare and chicken liver parfait, garnished with Cape fig, bramble jelly and pavéd pear.

a little? What if we replace an imported ingredient with a local one? I love fire, bold flavour and dishes that make people smile. That is my whole compass.’

His creative process draws heavily from nostalgia and seasonality, along with inspiration from Southeast Asia, where he’s travelled extensively. ‘With each trip I take, I look for flavours and textures that can spark something new. Often, I’ll see a technique or an ingredient and ask myself, “What if we did this differently, with our local produce, or over fire rather than poached?” That’s where the ideas start.’

Jones’s culinary journey began at Cape Town’s prestigious La Colombe, where he worked for four years with chef Luke Dale-Roberts, who is considered one of South Africa’s most accomplished chefs, and later at Dale-Roberts’s The Test Kitchen, which became an iconic, internationally lauded restaurant.

‘I started cooking young,’ says Jones, ‘and quickly realised that a kitchen is the one place where my brain actually makes sense. La Colombe was my first big step where I learned precision, intensity and how to stay calm when everything around you is definitely not calm. From there, I spent five years at The Test Kitchen with Luke Dale-Roberts which was creative chaos in the best possible way. That place pushed me to think differently and trust my instincts.’

When Jones was approached by internationally renowned chef and restaurateur Liam Tomlin of Chefs Warehouse, he says it felt like someone had put an idea in front of him that he’d always secretly wanted.

‘My wife and I loved the space, the mountain, the views, the energy,’ he says. ‘It felt

BOTTOM LEFT Chefs Warehouse at Beau Constantia overlooks vineyard-covered hilltops.

BOTTOM RIGHT There’s a natural flow onto a chic wooden outdoor terrace for generous views and the ultimate in al fresco dining.

OPPOSITE PAGE Harissa roast lamb rib, sweet bread and marjoram mousseline with brown butter lamb jus is another favourite on the tasting menu.

like a place where I could make food that sounded like me. We opened in 2016 and have been building and evolving ever since.

The menu changes frequently, guided by the seasons and a small group of suppliers across the Western Cape. ‘These are people who care deeply about what they grow, catch and make,’ says Jones. ‘Fishermen, vegetable growers, cheesemakers and foragers who know the land and sea better than anyone. The menu stays seasonal because our suppliers guide us more than anything else. Even the crockery is mostly handmade by local artisans, which keeps the whole experience rooted in this valley.’

The five-course tasting menu offers guests bold layers of flavour and texture, with dishes ranging from seafood, game, poultry, meat, vegetables and fruit to artisanal cheeses and

‘OUR NEW EXCITING FIVE-COURSE TASTING MENU GIVES US A CHANCE TO HARNESS THE ATMOSPHERE AND TAKE OUR GUESTS ON AN IMMERSIVE JOURNEY.’

‘MY HOPE IS THAT GUESTS FEEL JOY, CURIOSITY AND A SENSE THAT DINNER CAN BE A LITTLE ADVENTURE. I WANT GUESTS TO BE RELAXED AND EXCITED...’

cultured butter. Importantly, the dinner format offers diners a choice between courses, with a few unexpected additions woven into the experience to keep things interesting.

Some of his iconic dishes include ‘We Eat With Our Hands’, an imaginative take on beef tartare, served with steamed, seedencrusted amadombolo buns; coal-seared yellowfin tuna with Balinese mint sambal matah, toasted yeast dressing and coconut paper; and ‘Siqokelele’ (meaning ‘we gather’ in Xhosa), a signature mille-feuille style dish featuring layers of duck liver parfait, king oyster mushrooms, pecan nut relish and wood-fired duck.

Jones says, ‘The smoked beef tartare with chicken liver parfait and bramble jelly is a dish that just feels like home base for me. It’s one of those dishes where I refused to choose between two ideas so I brought them together and let the Cape fig and bramble tie them up. The braaied linefish, mussel salad and prawn-and-scallop sui mai is another favourite because it hits that sweet spot between refined and primal. It’s also everything I love in one dish: fire, seafood, richness and a bit of mischief and a little bit of Hong Kong.’

And desserts? ‘I have to mention the raspberry and rose dessert. That one is by our head pastry chef, Caitlin Drake, one of the most talented pastry chefs in South Africa. The white chocolate mousse, the tonka sponge, the spiced foam and those

bright raspberry and rose notes make it such a joyful dessert. It is elegant but still fun, which is exactly what we want at Beau.’

A wine pairing is offered alongside, designed to echo the progression of the menu and showcase both the wines of Beau Constantia’s own vineyards and selected producers from across the Cape.

Ultimately what Chef’s Warehouse Beau Constantia gets right is the guest experience. ‘My hope is that guests feel joy, curiosity and a sense that dinner can be a little adventure,’ says Jones. ‘The five-course format gives us space to build energy through the night and drop in moments that make the meal feel alive. I want guests to feel relaxed and excited at the same time. The food should make them think a little and also tap into something nostalgic.’

And that’s certainly the case. The view, the fire, the space and the delicious surprise-filled menu combine to create an experience you’ll want to revisit, again and again. 

IT STARTED IN NAPLES

Mercedes-Maybach’s choice of the Amalfi Coast for the launch of their bespoke V12 Edition was no coincidence. Neither was the tall sail ship, curated art and a R220 million Stradivarius under the chin of Ray Chen.

WORDS PETER FROST

TO STARBOARD, the storm threatened grievous harm, purple bruises racing across an inkblack sea. The Sea Cloud Spirit rolled in the developing swell, all 130 metres of her. Below, all engines at full throttle, above, 4 100m2 of canvas sail safely wrapped around her three 60-metrehigh masts.

We were racing for safe harbour at Civitavecchia, one of Italy’s impossibly beautiful coastal towns. Jonathan Raban’s sea was most definitely alive and eventful, but our focus wasn’t on a starring role in a Mediterranean sea drama, but rather on the reveal of another star, Mercedes-Maybach’s latest S680 Special Edition, the V12, under the ramparts of Forte Michelangelo.

The ancient 2nd-century harbour welcomed us just as the first fat drops fell, people crowding decks to get a look at the elegant Sea Cloud Spirit as she negotiated the maze of bloated cruise liners with their purple bow motifs and four-storey waterslides. The aquatic equivalent of Barbieland, Spirit reminded the world of a more graceful time when craftsmanship, attention to detail and dignity were the order of the day.

Clever Mercedes-Maybach, kudos by association. Tall sail ships, haute cuisine, classical music and fine-art superstars. And an old-school Med as blue as Sinatra’s eyes. Well, yesterday, anyway.

V12 SPECIAL EDITION – FIRST A MAYBACH, THEN A MERCEDES-BENZ

Safely docked, it was time for the business part of the trip. Under the imposing ramparts of the 16th-century fortress, Champagne flowed, Ray Chen and his 300-year old Stradivarius were called upon to deliver Vivaldi’s ‘Summer’ from The Four Seasons and a suitably august-looking

The Italian Riviera’s appeal is its lesser-known inlets and ports. Sail from Naples to Nice and the contrasts are apparent. The French Riviera shouts ‘conspicuous consumption’, Italy’s whispers ‘discover me’.

limousine materialised from beneath the covers. The new Limited Edition V12 is exactly that, a collector’s item. The ‘standard’ Mercedes-Maybach S-Class S680 advanced a collection of extras to lift it into ever more rarified environs. The V12 moniker celebrates the legendary dual ignition V12 Zeppelin Maybach engine of 1933, a powerplant then regarded as decades ahead of its time.

Visually, it’s the wheels that attract your attention first – huge, five-hole forged discs in the body colour, olive metallic. Equally arresting is the paintwork. The V12’s three-tone Manufaktur finish is retro cool: olive and obsidian black metallic, separated by a silver pinstripe, all painstakingly applied in a process that takes 10 days. Look closely and you’ll see the ‘12’ badge is detailed in 24-carat gold.

Those Art Deco elements follow through inside: inlaid burrwalnut high-gloss wood trim predominates; there are diamondquilted headliners; the saddle-brown Nappa leather references limousines of the era; and the silver-plated champagne flutes for the rear drinks station are by Robbe & Berking of Flensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, following a design from the 1930s.

Yet if the tenor is yesteryear, the electronics are cuttingedge contemporary. The V12 features, for example, electrically

operated rear doors and active road-noise compensation for a whisper-quiet interior.

THE SEA CLOUD SPIRIT AND A VERY UNTYPICAL SAILING EXPERIENCE

Launch done and so to the exploring. The Sea Cloud Spirit will take us up the coast to St Tropez, stopping at La Spezia for a chance to drive, if not the V12 Special Edition (too rare to risk Italian backroads), then the rest of the Maybach line-up.

Onboard and at sea, the Spirit’s period quiddity comes to the fore. Based largely on heiress Marjorie Merriweather Post’s original 1931 private yacht, Hussar V, she was built in 2020 with no expenses spared.

Three-masted, full-rigged, wooden decks with brass detailing and bespoke cabins, she is among the most sophisticated sail ships on the water. Both her hybrid engine layout and electronically controlled rigging system are world bests. None of that matters out at sea, rope and teak soundtrack on the zephyrs, warm sun through the canvas, spray cooling the August heat. It’s a return to simpler times, the unfolding of the day marked in classic observances: morning tea, afternoon high tea, formal dinners, the sweet wine farewell.

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT MercedesMaybach’s V12 Special Edition features digital dials deliberately designed to evoke the Art Deco era of the original Maybach Zeppelin-age; the rear cabin’s saddle-brown Nappa leather upholstery is hand-stitched and monogrammed; the limited-edition V12 features silver-plated champagne flutes by Robbe & Berking and a key gift box set handcrafted in Mercedes-Benz’s Manufaktur studio in Sindelfingen, Germany.

OPPOSITE PAGE Amalfi’s winding routes were shaped in part by 17thcentury lemon groves. Terraces and tracks servicing the famed sfusato amalfitano today form the architecture for the narrow roadways above the Mediterranean, perfect for slow (careful) cruising.

DRIVING, CRUISING, ADORING THE DIVINE COAST

La Spezia’s appeal is its promise of intriguing routes up into the Liguria–Tuscany Apennines. From the water, the gateway town to Cinque Terre seems all harbour and, indeed, its nautical history is rich, most notably as the port most commonly used for fleeing Jewish refugees during World War II, many of whom travelled to South Africa.

Safely docked, it was time for the driving. We chose Strada Provinciale 28, high above the now azure Med to better experience and get to grips with the Maybach line-up. On hand were the ‘standard’ V12 S-Class Maybach, the GLS Maybach, EQS SUV Maybach and, of special interest, the latest SL Maybach, given it will soon be available in South Africa.

What a perfect day for it – roof down in the SL Maybach, tight, forested lanes, sudden vistas of mare nostrum below. The V12 S-Class was especially impressive, far more agile than its leviathan heft would suggest. Thank the rear-axle steering and active body control system with intelligent suspension for that. The ride and attitude is mightily impressive – the Maybach way is to glide, unperturbed in total luxury and it certainly manages

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP Posing in front of the Sea Cloud Spirit are the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class, a duo of SLs and the GLS; The V12 Special Edition was launched under the ramparts of Forte Michelangelo in Civitavecchia; the Sea Cloud Spirit combines traditional rigging with 21st-century luxury.

that, whatever the surface. More surprising was the dynamism. All cars, including the electric EQS SUV, exhibited a willingness to attack the twists with verve.

All too soon – though hardly a hardship – it was time to board the Spirit again and head for St Tropez. Determined to showcase his ship’s manifest glory, Captain Vukota Stojanovic ordered all the sails hoisted, just for the joy of it. All hands on deck and at their stations, orders shouted and the spectacle unfolded, literally, with 32 sails finding the increasingly stiff southerly Marin. The sound of canvas filling, the coordinated business on deck, the pride – lovely indeed, and a fitting end to an extraordinary time.

Past and present, the best of then, folded into the best of today. Masterfully executed, Maybach. 

WHERE THE LIONS ROAR

On South Africa’s northernmost border, Tau Game Lodge offers a rare experience of wild beauty and quiet indulgence.

UNDER THE OPEN SKY FILLED WITH THE CALLS OF THE WILD, THE MAGIC OF TAU GAME LODGE TRULY COMES ALIVE – TIMELESS, UNTAMED AND UNFORGETTABLE.

WE’RE STALKING THE HUNTERS. A mother lioness has left her four cubs wrestling with dad and has headed off through the long, sunshine-coloured grass. She is accompanied by her own mother, following a few metres behind, allowing her daughter to take the lead. While dad babysits, the two lionesses move silently across the grassy plains closing in on a herd of grazing wildebeest. From our open game vehicle, we stop breathing in the dawn air, waiting for the inevitable. Patience is the name of the game. For the lioness, the closer she gets without being seen, the better her chances of success. She is nearly on top of the wildebeest now, her mother crouching metres behind her, the ever-loyal wingman. The bushveld is beautifully still, washed by the first rays of morning light. All is quiet except for the haunting cry of a fish eagle. The lioness gets ready to pounce. She’s poised, locked in.

Then a solo male wildebeest strolls out across the plains towards the herd. The wildebeest stop grazing, look up in the

direction of the movement. And in so doing, one of them spots the lioness. It’s game over.

You’d expect a frenzy of activity as the wildebeest flee for safety. Instead, they move slowly away, flicking their tails. The lioness stands up, stretches out her limbs, yawning. Her mother strolls casually through the long grass to join her.

These action-infused big-cat sightings are rare in the bushveld, though less so in Madikwe Game Reserve on the border of Botswana, an easy four-hour drive from Johannesburg (or take a 50-minute scheduled flight). Here, in the open plains of the northernmost part of the reserve, lion sightings are common, as is the possibility of encountering cheetah or leopard.

Tau Game Lodge (the word ‘tau’ means lion in the SothoTswana languages) is Madikwe’s largest lodge comprising 30 luxury suites. It’s also the most family friendly. Each suite has its own verandah overlooking a vast natural waterhole. For families with young children who might not enjoy longer game drives, this is the perfect opportunity to experience incredible sightings from the comfort of base camp.

The watering hole bustles with wildlife action, so much so it’s difficult to peel yourself away from your deck. You can sit for hours watching herds of buck coming down to drink, some of them skittish in the presence of a crocodile stretched out along the banks. Countless elephant arrive too, some lone bulls, others in big breeding herds with calves. One can neither tire of the sound or sight of elephants as they suck water into their trunks, curl them and either drink or spray themselves, nor bore of watching lions, their giant paws spread along the water’s edge, as they drink, cubs alongside. This far exceeds any wildlife documentary, and is best enjoyed outdoors sipping G&Ts.

Days at the lodge follow the rhythm of the bush. Up at sunrise for one of two daily game drives guided by expert rangers who know the reserve intimately. In between, the spa beckons with treatments inspired by African botanicals, while the pools and game-viewing lounge provide serene vantage points from which to watch the wilderness unfold.

Every activity, from birding to star-gazing, is curated to deepen guests’ connection to the landscape.

OPPOSITE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT Enjoy five-star dining complemented by Big-Five game viewing at Tau Game Lodge’s largest waterhole; twice-daily game drives guided by expert rangers offer up-close game-viewing opportunities; sumptuous meals are served in either the main lodge or in the outdoor private boma under the stars; each chalet boasts luxurious interiors and features a private wooden deck overlooking a busy waterhole.

ABOVE The main lodge overlooks a natural watehole, teeming with animal life.

Meals are served at the main lodge overlooking the largest part of the waterhole so you can truly appreciate the magic of the bushveld while enjoying five-star dining.

As darkness falls, head to the lodge’s lantern-lit boma for a starlit meal, the woodsmoke and crackle of the fire adding to the ambience. It is here, under the open sky filled with the calls of the wild and stories of that day’s animal encounters, that the magic of Tau Game Lodge truly comes alive – timeless, untamed and unforgettable. 

RHYTHM OF THE TIDES

Constance Ephelia in the Seychelles offers a range of experiences from energetic recreation to quiet environmental pursuits.

WORDS GILLIAN MCLAREN

THE WESTERN COASTLINE OF MAHÉ in the Seychelles is defined by the dramatic meeting of the Morne Seychellois massif and Port Launay Marine National Park in the Indian Ocean.

Constance Ephelia is set in 120 hectares of landscape carved from ancient granite and cloaked in a dense, multi-layered canopy. The resort stretches from the calm, shallow lagoon of South Beach to the deep, sheltered waters of North Beach, making it an expansive sanctuary for guests seeking both scale and seclusion.

The white sands of the resort are lined with takamaka trees that lean toward the water, their broad leaves providing shade. Further inland, ancient banyan trees and cinnamon trees are a fragrant reminder of Mahé’s history as one of the ‘Spice Islands of the Indian Ocean’. This lush forest is also a hive of endemic bird activity. Here you can easily spot a Seychelles blue pigeon in the higher branches, with its stark crimson crown and silver-blue plumage, or a delicate Seychelles sunbird hovering on a hibiscus bloom. Zebra doves forage on the forest floor while, overhead, whitetailed tropicbirds uses the thermals to soar towards the Port Launay cliffs.

On either side of a bridge that links areas of the resort, is a 29-hectare mangrove forest. Seven species of mangroves, all native to the Seychelles, flourish in this protected wetland. Kayaking along these tidal corridors, which are a nursery for the ocean, offers the opportunity to observe juvenile sicklefin lemon sharks and schools of mangrove snappers that dart in the brackish water between the submerged roots.

Port Launay Marine National Park, a protected area, comprises spectacular underwater topography of granite boulders and coral gardens. Scuba diving with the on-site UDive Centre, you can descend 23 metres to Trois Bancs dive site and a world of vibrant colour. The massive granite outcrops create a labyrinth of swim-throughs where grey reef sharks patrol, eagle rays glide and a hawksbill turtle lingers under a stony overhang. A favourite dive site is The Dredger Wreck, an artifical reef created by a boat that was sunk in 1989, which provides sanctuary for scorpionfish, white frogfish and moray eels. Get your buoyancy right and you can slowly fin over the top of the barnacle encrusted ship, where huge schools of blue-striped snapper and groupers are your ever-present companions. For guests wanting to learn to dive, the lagoons of North Beach provide a safe, current-free environment for introductory PADI programmes.

The resort’s lodgings are tiered to suit different needs and preferences. The Junior and Senior Suites are clustered near South Beach, offering easy access to the main pools and shallow lagoons. For those travelling in larger groups, the Family Villas provide private walled gardens and dedicated pools, creating a secluded hub within the resort. The most striking accommodation is the stilted Hillside Villas, sited on granite outcrops overlooking North Beach, minimising their footprint on the forest floor. This places guests at eye level with the high canopy, ideal for bird-watching.

Dining at Constance Ephelia is an adventure, with a choice of five restaurants, each situated to enjoy a different part of the resort. Corossol, is the main buffet located near South

THE WHITE SANDS OF THE RESORT ARE LINED WITH TAKAMAKA TREES THAT LEAN TOWARD THE WATER.

CLOCKWISE FROM FAR LEFT Cyann, Constance Ephelia’s signature restaurant, overlooks the marine park, and offers a hybrid of French technique and Asian flavours on its menu; the bay becomes a playground, but also a feast for the senses; the exclusive, high-end Hillside Villas at Constance Ephelia are built directly into the granite hillside, offering stunning, panoramic views of Port Launay Marine Park and North Beach.

Beach and features international live-cooking stations in an open-air setting, offering dishes from tandoori to artisanal pizzas. For a casual lunch next to a swimming pool, Helios with its Mediterranean-style dining, wood-fired pizzas and light pasta dishes is worth a visit. The enthusiastic and well-qualified sommelier offers advice on their extensive wine list.

On North Beach, Seselwa serves as the resort’s Creole hub, specialising in local catches like red snapper and grouper, prepared with ginger and lemongrass. Cyann, the signature restaurant overlooking the marine park, presents a more formal environment. Its menu is a hybrid of French technique and Asian flavours, supported by a sushi bar and an impressive cellar of over 26 000 bottles. Adam & Eve has a spirited atmosphere, with a focus on Southeast Asian street food and clay-pot cooking. Here you can kick off your sandals and feel the sand beneath your feet, as you dine on dolomite prawns and pad thai.

The Spa Village, covering 5 000 square metres, is purported to be the largest facility of its kind in the Indian Ocean. Rather than a singular structure, it is a cluster of individual timber pavilions within a lush tropical garden. The treatment room, a private wooden shack, has its own garden, where the only sound is the distant thrum of the ocean. Treatments are centred on the Sisley Paris botanical line and the facility includes a comprehensive thermal circuit – sauna, steam room and cold plunge – alongside a Kneipp path designed for circulatory therapy using varying water temperatures and textured stones.

For ease of navigation, the resort operates a shuttle service where you can meet the Seychellois drivers and learn about their culture and language. Constance Ephelia functions as a self-contained island destination. With towering granite boulders, the delicate complexity of its wetlands, indigenous vegetation and birds, plus views of its azure ocean, a stay here is as much about the ancient rhythms of the Seychelles coastline, as it is about stylish accommodation and pleasing cuisine. 

TOP An aerial view shows how well spaced out each accommodation offering is, allowing visitors privacy and peace, all set within a tropical wonderland.

ABOVE Zee Bar is a versatile, all-day lounge located in Constance Ephelia’s main building, offering three distinct atmospheres: a lively, music-filled casual area, a quiet, elegant lounge, and a relaxing outdoor deck for stargazing.

PLETTENBERG BAY, GARDEN ROUTE

Asking: R4.5 million to R14 million

ESSENCE represents the purest expression of nature, architecture, and lifestyle – in harmony with the surroundings. This brand new estate embodies sustainable, modern design that preserves the essence of the land, with minimal intrusion and maximum respect for the environment. Elevated stands situated alongside the Keurbooms Lagoon, with beautiful views of mountains, rivers, lagoon, golf course, and sea. Large stands with the natural fynbos vegetation. This small estate is limited to 12 plots, with a large portion rezoned to Nature Reserve. Carrie Maclean: 082 566 1881; Office: 044 533 2529.

DE RUST, OUDTSHOORN, KLEIN KAROO

Asking: R13.5 million | 5 Bedrooms | 5 Bathrooms | 2 Garages

A secluded hideaway in the Klein Karoo, near Meiringspoort, this remarkable mountain estate is a private sanctuary where art, heritage, and wilderness meet. Bordering the Swartberg Nature Reserve, it provides uninterrupted 360-degree mountain views and free-roaming wildlife. The ±950 m², stonebuilt residence showcases five suites, cathedral-like dining, a library, billiards room, wine cellar, pool, and multiple indoor-outdoor entertainment spaces, enriched by antiques, stained glass, and exceptional South African artworks, ideal for a refined lifestyle or boutique hospitality vision. Pieter van Rensburg: 082 575 6319; Office: 044 873 2519; Web Ref: SIR117951.

PLETTENBERG BAY, GARDEN ROUTE

Asking: R29.5 million | 5 Bedrooms | 5 Bathrooms | 2 Garages

Modern, spacious, contemporary family home with sea views in the soughtafter Whale Rock Beach Estate, which has direct beach access and access control. Featuring versatile accommodation, a generous entrance hall, openplan living areas (including a lounge with fireplace and built-in bar), dining area, and modern kitchen with scullery and laundry, covered patio, enclosed garden with swimming pool, second lounge with fireplace, study/library, multiple outdoor spaces, staff accommodation, water tanks, and backup power system. Enjoy an ideal coastal lifestyle. Carrie Maclean: 082 566 1881; Hein Pretorius: 083 701 3159; Office: 044 533 2529; Web Ref: SIR112933.

WEST CLIFF, JOHANNESBURG

Asking: R14 million | 5 Bedrooms | 4 Bathrooms | 2 Garages

Set in a prime Westcliff enclave, this elevated double-storey family home enjoys iconic sunsets and lush surroundings. Thoughtfully renovated with architect Johann Slee, it blends warmth, character, and generous proportions. Solid wood floors, high ceilings, and flowing reception areas lead to an elevated patio, pool, and pavilion overlooking expansive lawns. With five bedrooms, a gourmet gas kitchen, staff accommodation, and excellent security, this is a rare opportunity to enhance a remarkable home in one of Johannesburg’s most sought-after locations. Beverley Gurwicz: 082 412 0010; Office: 011 886 8070; Web Ref: SIR7419662.

ILLOVO, SANDTON

Asking: R7.5 million | 4 Bedrooms | 5 Bathrooms | 2 Garages

This exceptional double-storey townhouse offers four bedrooms and five bathrooms, designed for refined living and effortless entertaining. Light-filled interiors flow seamlessly through elegant reception areas to a covered patio with built-in braai and pizza oven, overlooking tranquil water features and a sparkling pool. Highlights include a gourmet Caesarstone kitchen, central atrium with skylights, gym with Jacuzzi and sauna, bar and entertainment rooms, and luxurious bedroom suites. Complete with excellent security, staff accommodation, and generous parking. Jenny: 072 263 4801; Luciana: 082 809 9973; Marco: 083 353 0050; Office: 011 886 8070; Web Ref: SIR7333590.

www.sothebysrealty.co.za

RIVER CLUB, SANDTON

Asking: R5.950 million | 4 Bedrooms | 3.5 Bathrooms | 2 Garages

Designed for effortless family living, this sun-drenched Riverclub home is centred around a striking atrium, filling every room with light and garden views. Expansive living and dining areas with gas and wood-burning fireplaces flow to a covered entertainment patio with gas and charcoal braais, overlooking a sparkling pool. Four spacious bedrooms and three bathrooms include a tranquil main suite and guest accommodation. Exceptional features include a large solar system, air-conditioning, excellent security, direct-access garages, staff accommodation, and beautifully manicured gardens perfect for family life. Sue: 083 378 1101; Phineas: 074 503 7599; Office: 011 886 8070; Web Ref: SIR7393248.

HOUGHTON ESTATE, JOHANNESBURG

Asking: R9.750 million | 7 Bedrooms | 6 Bathrooms | 3 Garages

Set within tranquil French provincial gardens, this exceptional property offers two beautiful homes on one stand, each with its own entrance and parking. The main residence features flowing reception areas, a contemporary kitchen, four en-suite bedrooms, outdoor gym, pool, padel court structure, garages, and staff accommodation. The second home offers two en-suite bedrooms and a private garden, currently a successful Airbnb. Ideal for extended families, workfrom-home living, or income generation. Sabina: 083 254 6981; Kobus: 083 632 2626; Office: 011 886 8070; Web Ref: SIR7388864.

MORNINGSIDE, SANDTON

Asking: R15.999 million | 5 Bedrooms | 5.5 Bathrooms | 4 Garages

Set within the prestigious Redhill 24-hour guarded enclosure, this exceptional Morningside home offers privacy, security, and a true sense of community.

Positioned on 2,300sqm of landscaped gardens, it delivers space, seclusion, and effortless indoor-outdoor living. Expansive reception areas are ideal for family life and entertaining, complemented by five en-suite bedrooms and generous outdoor spaces. Located close to Redhill School and the French International School, this is refined family living in one of Johannesburg’s most sought-after addresses. Marc: 082 854 7272; Alan: 082 490 0940; Office:011 886 8070; Web Ref: SIR7389181.

NORTHCLIFF, RANDBURG

Asking: R11 million | 4 Bedrooms | 4.5 Bathrooms | Double Garage

Rooted in Art Deco heritage and masterfully reimagined for contemporary living, this exceptional Northcliff residence blends timeless character with striking modern architecture. Redesigned by renowned architect Sarah Calburn, the home offers expansive, light-filled interiors and seamless flow for family living. Set within a magnificent forested garden with rolling lawns, it delivers rare privacy and serenity. A home that exudes prestige, style and comfort. Melinda Odendaal: 083 399 4113; Louw Stuart: 082 464 7914; Office: 011 476 8303;

Ref: 7365420.

NORTHCLIFF, RANDBURG

Asking: R10.950 million | 4 Bedrooms | 4.5 Bathrooms | 5 Garages

Set in a secure, gated road in sought-after Northcliff, this striking modern residence delivers refined luxury and panoramic views. Offering four spacious en-suite bedrooms, the home combines clean architectural lines with highend finishes throughout. Expansive living areas flow seamlessly between the interior and exterior. A rooftop entertainment area is perfectly positioned to capture breathtaking sunsets. Designed for discerning buyers seeking style, security and elevated living, this exceptional home embodies contemporary sophistication in one of Johannesburg’s premier hillside locations. Melinda Odendaal: 083 399 4113; Louw Stuart: 082 464 7914; Office: 011 476 8303; Web Ref: 7409696.

FAIRLAND, RANDBURG

Asking: R3.2 million | 3 Bedrooms | 2.5 Bathrooms | Double Garage

Nestled within an exclusive full-title complex of only twelve homes, this freestanding cluster offers exceptional privacy, space, and a seamless connection to nature, with a manicured park just beyond the garden gate. Light-filled living spaces, complimented by a Smeg Kitchen and flexible second lounge, flow to a covered patio and tranquil garden. Three serene bedrooms, staff accommodation, excellent security, and direct park access complete this elegant modern sanctuary, low-maintenance lifestyle home. Ria de Wet: 082 824 6925; Gail Broderick: 083 565 0461; Office: 011 476 8303; Web Ref: 7407593.

PARYS GOLF & COUNTRY ESTATE, PARYS

Asking: R17.8 million | 4 Bedrooms | 4.5 Bathrooms | 2 Garages

Some homes are simply lived in, others are composed with intention, artistry and enduring elegance. This exceptional residence within Parys Golf & Country Estate belongs unmistakably to the latter. From the moment you enter, soaring volumes, ornate ceilings and shimmering chandeliers create a sense of arrival reminiscent of grand European villas. Each richly appointed space flows seamlessly into the next, unified by classical design and meticulous craftsmanship. Framed by uninterrupted views of the Vaal River, this home offers a rare combination of architectural grandeur, timeless beauty and an elevated estate lifestyle. Ockert Schenck: 082 848 8503; Office:010 900 3450; Web Ref: SIR117760.

SPANISH FARM, SOMERSET WEST

Asking: R33.5 million | 4 Bedrooms | 5 Bathrooms | 2 Garages

Luxury residence with panoramic mountain and sea views – Set in an exclusive upmarket location, this exceptional residence commands spectacular, uninterrupted views of both the sea and surrounding mountains. Positioned on a large erf with a beautifully landscaped and immaculately maintained garden, the home blends refined architectural design with world-class finishes to create a residence of rare quality. Chantal Botes: 0837025460; Office: 021 851 4450; Web Ref: SIR117532.

FEATHERBROOKE ESTATE, KRUGERSDORP

Asking: R21.3 million | 6 Bedrooms | 6.5 Bathrooms | 4 Garages

Six-Bedroom Luxury Mansion with Private Lift, Solar Power & Panoramic Views, positioned within the prestigious Featherbrooke Lifestyle Estate. This exceptional multi-storey residence showcases an extraordinary level of architectural refinement, luxury, and scale. Designed for discerning homeowners who appreciate both elegance and functionality, the home offers a seamless blend of contemporary design, expansive living, and elevated lifestyle features within one of the West Rand’s most sought-after secure estates. Bianca Parsons: 083 645 6590; Charmaine von Gordon: 079 882 3360; Office: 010 900 3450; Web Ref: SIR117995.

HANGKLIP ROAD, PRINGLE BAY

Asking: R55 million | 8 Bedrooms | 9 Bathrooms

Maritime On Moonlight Bay – Exclusive Sole Mandate. Set on approximately 30,000m2 of private land, this exceptional ±800m2 coastal residence is positioned high on the slopes of the iconic Hangklip Mountain, within the protected Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve. The home offers eight generously sized bedrooms, all en suite, and has been designed to maximise privacy, scale, and uninterrupted ocean views. This is a true trophy property, defined by its land size, absolute privacy, and irreplaceable position where mountain, ocean, and protected wilderness converge. Jan Uys: 0636696988; Web Ref: SIR117889.

CONSTANTIA UPPER, CAPE TOWN

Asking: R40 372 500 Incl. VAT | 6 Bedrooms | 6.5 Bathrooms | 4 Garages

Perfectly positioned within an exclusive 24 hour guarded estate, this exceptional newly completed home captures the essence of modern Constantia living which is modern, light and designed for effortless entertaining whilst functioning as an outstanding family home. The home offers 6 spacious en-suite bedrooms, all finished to the highest standard with luxurious contemporary details. Expansive open plan living areas flow seamlessly to the covered outdoor terrace, a separate entertainment room, a lap pool, and landscaped garden designed to maximise the north facing mountain views. Joanna Thomas: 084 404 4120; Rouvaun McKirby: 071 671 0821; Office: 021 701 2446; Web Ref: SIR116829.

HIGH STEENBERG, STEENBERG GOLF ESTATE, TOKAI

Asking: R30 million | 4 Bedrooms | 4.5 Bathrooms | 2 Garages

Set within one of the most secluded positions in the prestigious Steenberg Golf Estate, this striking double-storey residence offers an exceptional blend of privacy, space, and refined living. Surrounded by natural beauty and framed by sweeping mountain views, the home delivers a lifestyle defined by calm, comfort, and quiet sophistication. Steve Thomas: 084 471 4722; Dave Burger: 083 458 3333; Office: 021 701 2446; Web Ref: SIR115690.

BISHOPSCOURT, CAPE TOWN

Asking: R75 million | 4 Bedrooms | 4 Bathrooms | 4 Garages | Swimming Pool

A distinguished European-inspired residence set on 5,413 sqm in an exclusive cul-de-sac, offering breathtaking views and serene privacy. Bathed in natural light, the home features refined open-plan living, a designer kitchen, and a cinema room with fireplace. Four luxurious bedrooms include two elegant ensuites with private lounge and kitchenette. Complemented by a stylish pool house with kitchenette and bathroom, four-car garaging, inverter, and ample parking. Bordered by Van Riebeeck Park and near top schools, wine estates, and the city centre. Elaine Dobson: 082 413 7369; Ruth Leach: 082 323 7550; Office: 021 673 1280; Web Ref: SIR117042.

NEWLANDS, CAPE TOWN

Asking: R30 million | 7 Bedrooms | 6.5 Bathrooms | 3 Garages

This exceptional residence, designed by Van der Merwe Miszewski and completed by Alex Stewart, offers stunning 180-degree views from Table Bay to Kirstenbosch. Surrounded by mature trees for privacy, it features glass, wood, and stone architecture with seamless indoor-outdoor living, Brazilian granite floors, and bespoke finishes. The home includes four bedrooms, a master suite with lounge, Miele kitchen, wine cellar, sauna, and an 80 m² games room. Two self-contained pavilions with a shared roof terrace and fire pit enhance luxurious, private living. Jennifer Lee: 082 562 5139; Christine Commaille–Rey: 082 655 5552; Office: 021 673 1280; Web Ref: SIR117980.

ROSEBANK, CAPE TOWN

Asking: R11.5 million | 5 Bedrooms | 4 Bathrooms | 1 Garage

Barbestyn is a stunning Victorian residence in Rosebank, built in 1902 for the Mowbray mayor. This historic double-storey home features soaring ceilings, original fireplaces, and handcrafted details. It offers versatile ground-floor rooms, a contemporary bespoke kitchen with indoor-outdoor flow, and a luxurious upstairs master suite with Table Mountain views. The expansive wraparound balcony, manicured garden, and swimming pool create perfect entertaining spaces. Secure parking and prime location make this a rare opportunity to own a heritage gem with modern comforts. Lesley Payne: 082 455 4808; Office: 021 673 1280; Web Ref: SIR116322.

KOMMETJIE, CAPE TOWN

Asking: R17.850 million | 3 Bedrooms | 3 Bathrooms | 2 Garages

Set on 865m², this north-facing coastal home blends elegant design with effortless indoor-outdoor living. Wrought iron balconies frame breathtaking views, with beach access just one minute away and direct entry to a protected greenbelt. The home offers generous reception spaces, a gourmet kitchen with premium appliances, games room or gym, workshop or studio, and double garage. Accommodation includes two en-suite bedrooms and a luxurious main suite with multiple balconies, dressing room, and opulent bathroom. A lush garden, pool, patio, pergola, braai area, and separate flatlet complete this exceptional entertainer’s retreat. Natalie Cooper: 083 630 0911; Office 021 783 8260; Web Ref: SIR116602.

LYNFRAE, CLAREMONT, CAPE TOWN

Asking: R11.995 million | 4 Beds | 4 Baths | 5 Garages | 8 Secure Parking | Pool

Welcome to an exceptional Victorian double-storey home in sought-after Lynfrae, blending timeless elegance with modern comfort. Grand proportions include a marble-floored foyer, high ceilings, fireplaces, and generous reception rooms. The well-appointed kitchen opens to patio, braai, pool, and garden, while a versatile guest suite offers dual-living potential. Upstairs features a pyjama lounge, luxurious master suite, and flexible bedrooms with balconies and en-suites. Mature gardens, ample garaging, and parking complete this rare offering near top schools, parks, and amenities. Lia Rattle: 083 412 9252; Bridget Proudfoot: 083 635 8088; Office: 021 673 1280; Web Ref: SIR117366.

KOMMETJIE, CAPE TOWN

Asking: From R5.225 million | 2 Bedrooms | 2 Bathrooms | 2 Garages

Situated in the heart of Kommetjie within Imhoff Lifestyle Estate, Imhoff Manor offers luxury retirement living with sweeping mountain and sea views. These architecturally designed Cape Vernacular homes feature 2 bedrooms, spacious patios, premium finishes, and optional extras to suit your style. Enjoy world-class security, a clubhouse, beach access, and an active outdoor lifestyle with walking, surfing, fishing, and hiking at your doorstep. On-site healthcare services provide peace of mind and support your overall wellbeing. Prices start from R5,225,000 depending on the unit. Secure your place in this exceptional coastal retirement community. Natalie Cooper: 083 630 0911; Katrien De Brabander: 082 779 2054; Office: 021 783 8260; Web Ref: SIR109832.

PEARL

VALLEY

GOLF ESTATE, PAARL

Asking: R37 million | 3 Bedrooms | 3.5 Bathrooms | 4 Garages

Nestled within the prestigious Pearl Valley Golf and Country Estate, overlooking the 12th fairway of the award winning Jack Nicklaus Golf Course you will find this beautifully designed home that once you step into it, will trigger all your senses! There are four automated garages with a mezzanine floor for storage as well as a 30kw generator, solar panels and battery back-up, 20 000Lt water tank for irrigation with Rainbird irrigation system. Kim Edges: 072 562 4472; Suritha van Tonder: 084 440 4283; Office: 021 867 0065; Web Ref: SIR114008.

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PEARL VALLEY GOLF ESTATE, PAARL

Asking: R21.950 million | 4 Bedrooms | 4.5 Bathrooms | 3 Garages

Discover this stunning contemporary light filled home featuring four spacious bedrooms all en-suite with a North-facing position for optimal sunlight. Nestled in a private setting, this home is flooded with natural light and boasts impressive double-volume ceilings. A wonderful mezzanine floor which is currently used as an office. Enjoy outdoor living on a sun-soaked patio overlooking a shimmering pool. Kim Edges: 072 562 4472; Suritha van Tonder: 084 440 4283; Office: 021 867 0065; Web Ref: SIR117824.

PEARL VALLEY GOLF ESTATE, PAARL

Asking: R24.750 million | 4 Bedrooms | 4.5 Bathrooms | 3 Garages

This exceptional residence is a modern family home designed with thoughtful layout and refined finishes. Positioned on a prominent corner stand, the northfacing orientation maximises natural light and privacy, offering commanding views of the adjacent fairways and green spaces. Enjoy world-class facilities within Pearl Valley Golf & Country Estate – home to the acclaimed Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course. Annette Barnard: 082 820 1888; Office: 021 867 0065; Web Ref: SIR117022. Lew

FRANSCHHOEK

Asking: R15.450 million | 3 Bedrooms | 4 Bathrooms | 2 Garages

Introducing a high end, meticulously detailed home in the prestigious 32 resident estate of LÁfrique Verte in Franschhoek. This perfectly positioned estate sits on the edge of the Franschhoek village centre. The estate further enhances the lifestyle with a tranquil eco swimming pool available to all residents. This Immaculate, newly completed home offers an exceptional blend of contemporary luxury, refined finishes and effortless indoor-outdoor living, all with spectacular mountain views and sunsets. Gary de Valle: 082 464 8038; Office: 021 876 8480; Web Ref: SIR117399.

STELLENBOSCH FARMS

Asking: R29 million Excl VAT.

A sanctuary of light, space, and calm, this architect-designed retreat sits on 4.5 hectares of north-facing, wind-sheltered land in the heart of the Stellenbosch Winelands. Minimalist, contemporary architecture meets the natural landscape, creating a home that is at once striking and serene. Set among approximately 1 hectare of indigenous fynbos and about 100 olive trees, the residence unfolds through open, flowing spaces where every frame captures the surrounding landscape. Detlef Struck: 079 597 1727; Office: 021 809 2760; Web Ref: SIR117530.

WINELANDS ESTATE, PAARL

Asking: R36 million | 4 Bedrooms | 4.5 Bathrooms | 3 Garages

Positioned in the prestigious Winelands Estate just outside Paarl, this extraordinary property offers an unparalleled lifestyle shaped by privacy, natural beauty, and world-class craftsmanship. Designed and master-built by its current owner with meticulous attention to detail, the residence spans an impressive 842m² under roof and is set on a magnificent 8,004m² landscaped erf overlooking a private dam, with sweeping views of the surrounding mountains. Reghardt Human: 071 554 5056; Office: 021 870 1011; Property ID: 5DFVCB sothebysrealty.com.

STELLENBOSCH FARMS

Asking: R59 million Excl VAT.

Set high above the surrounding countryside, this stunning boutique wine farm is defined by its sense of calm, space and effortless sophistication. The elevated position offers uninterrupted views, creating a feeling of total privacy and connection with the land. The property embraces a philosophy of “less is more,” letting the natural beauty, light and tranquility of the environment take centre stage. Approximately three hectares of dry-farmed vineyards deliver exceptionally pure fruit, resulting in grapes with elevated acidity and vibrant character, that form the foundation of the estates award winning wines.

Detlef Struck: 079 597 1727; Office: 021 809 2760; Web Ref: SIR117529.

RIEBEEK KASTEEL

Asking: R5.3 million | 3 Bedrooms | 3.5 Bathrooms

Tucked away at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac, beyond modest garden gates, this contemporary country-style home is a hidden gem offering peace, privacy, and effortless indoor-outdoor living. A rare lifestyle property that blends the comforts of modern design with the serenity of rural charm, all just minutes from town.Surrounded by a lush, established garden, the home welcomes you with a pathway lined with fragrant white roses - setting the tone for the elegance and warmth within. A strong borehole and reservoir, along with an irrigation system, makes keeping up this beautiful garden a delightful joy. Lizette Visser: 072 826 0555; Office: 021 870 1011; Web Ref: SIR116876.

BANTRY BAY, CAPE TOWN

Asking: POA | 2 Bedrooms | 3 Bathrooms | 3 Parkings | 340 sqm

This exceptional double-storey penthouse in Bantry Bay offers over 340sqm of refined coastal living with panoramic ocean views. Expansive open-plan kitchen, living and dining areas open onto a large terrace with a private rooftop pool overlooking the Atlantic. Two en-suite bedrooms with potential to create four. Direct lift access to both floors ensures privacy and convenience. Features include fireplaces on both levels, three secure parking bays and two storerooms an exclusive urban retreat by the sea. Carl-Emil Knox: +27 (0) 72 984 1831; Office: 021 401 4338; Web Ref: SIR118013.

BANTRY BAY, SEA POINT

Asking: R16.950 million | 2 Bedrooms | 2 Bathrooms | 2 Garages | 135 sqm

Brand New | Oceanfront Renovation Opportunity in Bantry Bay – Exclusive to Sotheby’s. Set on the ocean’s edge, this 135m² beachfront apartment offers side sea views and the sound of waves in one of Bantry Bay’s most coveted locations. Requiring a full renovation, it presents a blank canvas to create a modern retreat or timeless coastal escape. Highlights include an oceanfront communal pool with uninterrupted bay views and a rare double garage an exceptional opportunity to craft a bespoke seaside residence. Chad Shapiro: +27 (0) 83 668 1414; Office : 021 401 4338; Web Ref: SIR117915.

SEA POINT, CAPE TOWN

Asking: R17.5 million | 3 Bedrooms | 3 Bathrooms | 3 Parkings | 434 sqm

Exclusive sole mandate – Perched on the upper level, this exceptional threebedroom penthouse offers privacy, abundant natural light, and sweeping Atlantic Seaboard views. The spacious open-plan living area flows effortlessly, ideal for entertaining and relaxed coastal living, complemented by a cosy TV retreat. All three bedrooms are en-suite, ensuring comfort and seclusion. A rare private garden adds a unique, homely touch. Complete with three secure parking bays and generous proportions, this light-filled residence delivers space, serenity, and iconic sea views. Taurin Craze: +27 (0) 60 571 4230; Office: 021 401 4338; Web Ref: SIR117932.

BAKOVEN, CAPE TOWN

Asking: R79 million | 5 Bedrooms | 5 Bathrooms | 2 Garages | 359 sqm

Escape to Oceanfront Perfection. Exclusive to Sotheby’s International Realty, this exceptional oceanfront villa sits steps above a secluded beach with uninterrupted sea views. Designed for effortless coastal living, it features expansive openplan interiors, five en-suite bedrooms, a work-from-home space, plunge pool, private pool, and sun-drenched terraces. The lower level is fully self-contained, ideal for guests or rentals. Secure parking includes two underground bays plus two additional spaces. A rare Atlantic Seaboard investment opportunity. Price includes VAT. Andrea Glew: +27 (0) 79 893 9197; Office: 021 401 4338; Web Ref: SIR117414.