The term ‘daycation’ has been around for a little while now, really coming into its own in the last few years and becoming even more of attractive prospect over the last 18 months. As the world reeled from the impact of the global pandemic and with restrictions on international travel, we've had to become experts in finding out what’s on our doorsteps.
The daycation is the act of booking yourself a day out at a luxury hotel or retreat and enjoying all that’s on offer. Ideally you can reach your daycation within an hour to fully maximise the experience. We’re big fans of the daycation at Virgin Limited Edition and two of our award-winning hotels, Mont Rochelle, in South Africa, and Kasbah Tamadot, in Morocco, offer full and exciting day experiences with special offers for local residents.
At under an hour’s drive from Cape Town, within a 35-minute drive from the Stellenbosch, Paarl and Somerset West wine routes and even accessible by helicopter, lies the town of Franschhoek. Situated in a valley, Franschhoek is a traditional vineyard town in the Western Cape Province, known as the French Corner, and is considered to be the food and wine capital of South Africa. This is where our award-winning hotel and vineyard, Mont Rochelle, is located. The grounds cover about 100 acres of beautiful rolling hills and are encircled by the Dassenberg Mountains. So, why have a daycation at Mont Rochelle?
Photo credit to @Jaredincpt
Picnics
The perfect daycation at Mont Rochelle should be centred on a picnic. Hamper in hand, explore the grounds with a gourmet selection of delicious, local fare - South African cheeses and charcuterie, arancini with a honey harissa sauce and zingy fishcakes, or choose a vegan or vegetarian basket full of exciting bites. The baskets are perfect for two adults to share and can be accompanied by the wine made in our own vineyards. For any little ones with you, we serve individual children’s picnic baskets. We recommend picnicking on the banks of the lake overlooking the Dassenberg Mountains.
Photo credit to @Jaredincpt
Wine Tasting
Mont Rochelle is a wine lover’s paradise as we cultivate and nurture various grape varieties including Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon amongst other blends. Wine tastings take place at our restaurant The Country Kitchen so whether you want to taste a chilled glass of Little Rock Blanc on the terrace or enjoy a robust Cabernet Sauvignon in our wine cellar we can tailor the experience to you.
Dining
There are two restaurants at Mont Rochelle. The Country Kitchen is an ideal place for a light lunch or a wine tasting. Or MIKO, our restaurant which enjoys impeccable 180-degree views over the Franschhoek valley, surrounding vineyards and mountains. Sip cocktails and savour cuisine made with the finest South African ingredients!
The Spa
Our on-site spa offers a range of indulgent treatments that can be enjoyed as part of your daycation. Unwind with a relaxing massage or a beauty treatment or pair your experience with a three-course lunch at The Country Kitchen.
We can tailor every element of your day for a bespoke experience so get in touch with us today to book your trip to Mont Rochelle.
Email: enquiries@virginlimitededition.co.za
View all our Mont Rochelle special offers.
You can reach Kasbah Tamadot within an hour’s drive from Marrakech which puts it firmly in the daycation category! Nestled in the foothills of the magnificent Atlas Mountains, Kasbah Tamadot is a place where you can get away from it all to experience the retreat which Travel + Leisure named as the No.1 Resort Hotel in North Africa and the Middle East in 2020.
The story of how the estate came to be in the Virgin Limited Edition collection is the stuff of legend – Sir Richard Branson discovered the property when trying to circumnavigate the globe in a hot air balloon! Everywhere you turn at Kasbah Tamadot you will find something new to marvel at; previously the home of the renowned antiques dealer, Luciano Tempo, Kasbah Tamadot is still filled with his treasures to honour his expert eye for interior design. And then of course there are the stunning views over Mount Toubkal, it’s no wonder the Kasbah was nominated as one of the most Instagrammable hotels in the world in 2021!
Our exclusive daycation package for Moroccan residents is designed for people who want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and retreat to a tranquil oasis.
The Spa
The Spa at Kasbah Tamadot is called Asounfou, the Berber word for relaxation, and for you to leave our retreat feeling relaxed and happy is our main goal. At this time, we are offering traditional Moroccan massages, using local argan oil, aromatherapy treatments, salt body scrubs and beauty treatments all of which are designed to leave you feeling rested and recharged.
Lunch at Kanoun Restaurant
Enjoy a three-course lunch on the terrace overlooking the lush gardens and Atlas Mountains as part of your daycation experience. We serve Moroccan and Mediterranean cuisine, using the finest fresh and local ingredients, many from our gardens.
The pools
Sip mint tea and soak up the sun poolside at Kasbah Tamadot. A day trip to the retreat is incomplete without a swim in the infinity pool and our day package offers unlimited use of all the pools on the estate. Trust us, you’ll just want to float and take in the mountain views.
To book your day trip, contact Kasbah Tamadot directly or speak to our friendly Reservations’ team using the details below.
reservations@kasbahtamadot.virgin.com | 05.24.36.82.00
reservations@virginlimitededition.com | 0800 716 919 | + 44 (0) 208 600 0430
View all our Kasbah Tamadot special offers.