One of my favorite holidays was a stay at Bushman’s Kloof, one of the world’s best luxury nature retreats. On my last trip to South Africa, we drove over from Cape Town to the Cederberg Mountains, where it is located, for a few days of wellness and safari.

WELLNESS AT THE BEST LUXURY NATURE RETREAT IN AFRICA

For our stay, we’d created a full itinerary of safari drives, yoga lessons, meditation sessions and spa treatments. So we were booked from early morning to midnight with activities most people only dream about.

Bushman’s Kloof really is the perfect wellness destination. And the team at Bushman’s Kloof topped our holiday with some truly magical dining experiences that I’ll remember forever.

WELLNESS RETREAT AT BUSHMAN’S KLOOF

Our wellness retreat involved a lot of yoga, of course. And at Bushman’s Kloof, guests can arrange for private yoga lessons in the most amazing locations on the reserve.

So each day at 630 AM, our ranger Martin waited at the gate of the beautiful Cederberg House, with two yoga mats in hand. He would then drive us to some beautiful clearing for our private yoga lessons with Stephanie.

Martin always met us on time with a cheerful countenance. He was always unfazed by the task of executing three or four events everyday as we basked in the good energy of the Cederberg Mountains and eagerly awaited the next surprise.

“Good morning!” He boomed as we trudged out half asleep. “Are you ready for yoga?”

For our private yoga and meditation lessons each morning, Martin always drove us to a perfect spot with shade and a view of the Cederberg mountain range. Here yoga instructor Stephanie guided us through the motions. At my request she even performed a therapy treatment with her Tibetan singing bowls while I marveled at the blue skies. 

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HOW TO ACHIEVE TRANQUILITY

Cool winds blew, trees shuddered with a comforting sound, and chirping birds flew overhead as I advanced towards inner tranquility in 90 minutes. By the end of each session, I was ready to make peace with myself and with anything that breathed.

Then, when my personal reverie was over, we had fresh juices and eggs cooked-to-order in a garden next to a river bed where monkeys played. These are simply semantics, though. In reality, the chefs at Bushman’s Kloof are actually willing to create anything guests fancy on a best effort basis. Yes, it’s the kind of place that seriously likes to make its guests happy.

THAT INDIVIDUAL STYLE

After breakfast, I had some time to read a book back at Cederberg House before our scheduled massage. Our villa, set amidst spacious gardens within a fenced enclosure, was straight out of a design magazine. Decorated in the classic country style, it was elegant and inviting, with decorative items and artworks chosen by the owner.

Beatrice Tollman, a self-made travel magnate who reportedly selects Christmas presents for every employee in her vast empire, also reportedly chose many decorative items in our villa. Her taste is literally evident everywhere on the estate as well. For example, guests can try her favorite lemon pie for dessert at lunch. 

Because it was so comfortable, Cederberg House was difficult to leave even for a moment. We loved the stacked bar, the sketchbooks and paintboxes in the bedrooms, and the interesting books on every table so that one always caught my eye. I’d picked up a book on South African writers as soon as I entered, and it almost never left my side. 

Every afternoon, I did a couple of sketches by the pool too. This was one of my absolute favorite things to do just at sunset. The Cederberg mountains are mesmerising and I tried to capture the colors around me.

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ABOUT CEDERBERG HOUSE

Bushman’s Kloof sleeps only 34 guests and each lodging offers luxurious comfort in the bush. Cederberg House, where we stayed, is built in the traditional Cape Dutch style on the banks of the Boontjies River.

It has two spacious master suites and a large living area with whitewashed walls and a vaulted ceiling. It leads out onto an expansive terrace with a swimming pool and a grand view.

AFRICAN ART IN BUSHMAN’S KLOOF

The house also showcases excellent South African art including works by Esias Bosch, Gabriel de Jongh, and Walter Battiss. We loved stargazing by the private pool every night and listening to music in the living room before dinner. 

The villa can accommodate four people. Bookings include meals and activities including the services of a dedicated ranger, nature drives, rock art excursions, spa treatments, mountain hikes and cooking classes, among others.

Read more stories about beautiful nature and wellness retreats in South Africa in Travelife Magazine.

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Every morning in Fes, Morocco, we looked forward to a healthy and delicious Moroccan breakfast at the Palais Amani. This jewel of a luxury riad in the heart of the Old City of Fes happens to be my favorite. I stay here each time I am in Fes. 

The Palais Amani is not an over-the-top place, but everything is in very good taste so that you will find nothing wanting.  There is enough space and greenery, and everywhere you look is a feast for the senses.

THE ROOFTOP OF THE PALAIS AMANI

Breakfasts were pretty much served the same way each day. Everything was beautifully presented so I always felt like taking photos before eating. The Moroccan breakfast wasn’t a buffet, unlike in other luxury hotels, and there was never a table groaning with food. Nevertheless, we were never hungry, even if we’re both used to eating a lot at breakfast.

READ ABOUT THE MOST ROMANTIC WEDDING VENUE IN SPAIN

HEALTHY MOROCCAN BREAKFAST

We so enjoyed the breakfasts here, which were different everyday. There was always lots of fresh fruits and a very good quality Moroccan yoghurt which I spooned lots of honey on. The chefs also made us an incredible juice based on fruits in season.

And then we were always served some sort of Arabic or Moroccan soup that seemed so healthy. The soups, made with vegetables and spices, were so good. I always felt like I was starting the morning right, having yoghurt and vegetable soup in my tummy.

FRESHLY BAKED BREADS AND EGGS TO ORDER

The assorted breads were freshly baked somewhere in the medina, and I loved also having these with the local honey.

For a hot meal, it was always eggs done anyway we wanted. And everyday, we always ordered an omelette with everything in it. You’d think an omelette with everything in it would be pretty standard fare, right? Not at the Palais Amani in Fez.

Every day we had a different kind of omelette. Each one was as delicious as the previous one, so that we looked forward to breakfast every morning. Just like we were excited for every wonderful but different day in Morocco, living our never-ending, and never-endingly eventful Travelife.  

Christine Cunanan is the publisher of Travelife Magazine.

The post Moroccan breakfast in Fez appeared first on TRAVELIFE Magazine.

A great start to the day makes all the difference to rest of it, and when we are staying at some of the most luxurious hotels in the world, we simply must enjoy breakfast and oftentimes this becomes the most important meal of the day. Savor these photographs of the best breakfasts around the world with us.

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BREAKFAST IN ISTANBUL

at the Four Seasons Bosphorus

Healthy starters at the Four Seasons Sultanahmet in Istanbul

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Mornings and breakfasts at the Hyatt Regency  in Thessaloniki, Greece

BREAKFAST IN MOSCOW
at the Standart Hotel

Caviar over Eggs Benedict at The Standart in Moscow

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BREAKFAST IN MARRAKECH
at The Selman Marrakech

Al fresco breakfast and croissants  at The Selman in Marrakech

A morning spread prepared by Palais Amani, Morocco

Fruits and olives for breakfast in Chateau Les Crayeres in Champagne, France

Oysters, green tea, seeds, fruits and champagne for breakfast at the One & Only Cape Town in South Africa

Continental breakfast at the Rachmaninoff Hotel in Veliky Novgorod, Russia

BREAKFAST IN TURKEY
at the CVS Park Hotel Bosphorus

Eggs and fruit at the Park Hotel Bosphorus

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BREAKFAST IN AFRICA
at the Oceana Wildlife Reserve
in the Eastern Cape

The Eggs Benedict at the  Oceana Beach and Wildlife Reserve, South Africa  makes early mornings worth it

The Japanese breakfast at Amanemu in Ise, via room service, came in a beautiful lacquer trio of boxes

Breakfast at the Beau Rivage Palace in Lausanne

Spicy eggs in Tel Aviv, Israel

Breakfast in Otaru, Japan,  a port city known for known for glasswork and sake distilleries

Santorini, Greece breakfasts are a feast for all senses

Farm to table breakfast at a farm in Rostov, Russia

An energizing morning meal in Crete, Greece’s largest island

A French morning spread courtesy of Les Crayères

Crystal Cruises breakfasts are both eye-catching and delicious!

A really delicious made-to-order omelette at the Grand Hotel in Tver, Russia

The post The best hotel breakfasts in the world, from Russia to Japan appeared first on TRAVELIFE Magazine.