The luxury of a winter sun vacation never tires for those who reside in the northern hemisphere. For travelers seeking an enchanting destination, while the frost settles at home this is simply the best time to visit South Africa.

Watch the summer sun set on safari as wildlife gather around a waterhole. Enjoy golden beaches and pristine waters. Sip pinotage at a world-renowned vineyard.

South Africa’s allure lies not only in its breathtaking landscapes but also in its ability to create unforgettable memories that linger long after the summer sun has set.

Idyllic weather

South Africa’s summer, which falls between December and February, promises a blissful escape from the winter chill in other parts of the world, with its pleasant climate and ample sunshine.

Days are typically warm, with temperatures ranging from 57.2°F (14°C) to 78.8°F (26°C). This offers the perfect climate to explore cities such as Cape Town, swim in the crystal-clear waters, and ascend the famous Table Mountain.

Balmy evenings are perfect for enjoying a cocktail on a terrace, and dining under the stars. Radiant sunsets paint the sky in vivid hues, casting a magical glow over the landscapes making this the best time to visit South Africa.

Discover this on: Spectacular South Africa

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Ripening vineyards

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Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Constantia. South African’s wine regions are recognized worldwide for their vintages. For connoisseurs of fine wines and those seeking a tranquil respite, a visit to the vineyards provides the ultimate decadent escape. The country’s summer sees the vines in full bloom, with sprawling fields of lush grapes ripening in the sunlight.

Fine wine takes center stage on our Spectacular South Africa tour, as we spend time in the historic Cape Winelands. Enjoy a scenic drive through the wine towns of Paarl, Stellenbosch, and Franschhoek. Taste the wines at Vergelegen Estate and, at Boschendal Estate, savor a seasonal Farm-to-Table lunch before returning to Cape Town in a chauffeured vintage car.

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Seasonal cuisine

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A delightful array of seasonal produce is brought forth in South Africa’s summer, making it a haven for culinary enthusiasts seeking winter sun and fresh, vibrant flavors. The abundance of sunshine and fertile soil during this time of year results in a bounty of ingredients that grace the menus of renowned restaurants across the country.

Local farms and markets offer a vibrant selection of summer fruits and vegetables. Juicy tomatoes burst with flavor, while succulent berries, including strawberries and blueberries, are at their peak. Oranges and grapefruits lend their refreshing zing to dishes and cocktails. While crisp greens, including lettuce and spinach, are plentiful and add a touch of freshness to summer salads and light, healthy meals. For all lovers of gastronomy, this is the best time to visit South Africa.

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Sensational seafood

A sensational destination to savor the flavors of the ocean, when it comes to seafood coastal regions come alive during South Africa’s summer months. Fresh catches of line fish, such as yellowtail and kingklip, are readily available, and mussels and oysters are in abundance.

For the ultimate seafood experience, Azure Restaurant blends panoramic sea views with a menu of exceptional Cape cuisine. Azure is the in-house restaurant of the Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa, home for four nights on Spectacular South Africa. The menu champions local ingredients, particularly local seafood and sustainably caught fish. Mussels, crayfish, oysters, prawns, langoustines and squid all take center stage on their elegant, fine dining menu.

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Sunshine safari

Witnessing some of the planet’s most majestic creatures in their natural habitat is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. South Africa is renowned for its spectacular wildlife, a paradise for travelers seeking to explore its vast game reserves.

The country’s summer brings forth an abundance of wildlife activity, as the lush vegetation provides nourishment for an array of animals. Wildlife is also easier to spot as animals gather around water sources to cool off, making this the best time to visit South Africa for safari.

Witness the “Big Five” – lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards and buffalos. Plus, many other mammals and birdlife, including zebra, giraffe, vultures and eagles. The thrill of seeing these magnificent creatures up close is an unforgettable sensory experience, only heightened by the warmth of the sun.

A luxurious three-day safari in the heart of Big Five territory, Kruger National Park is a highlight on our Spectacular South Africa tour. The exquisite Lion Sands Lodge welcomes you with luxury suites with private decks and plunge pools. Daily private game drives offer many opportunities to see the wildlife up close.

Read more: Private Game Drives and Five-Star Stays: How Luxury Gold Does Safari Differently

A treasure trove of culture and heritage

Beyond its natural wonders, South Africa’s rich cultural heritage adds an enriching dimension to any summer itinerary. The country boasts a multi-ethnic society with 11 officially sanctioned national languages. Twenty percent of the country’s population is of mixed ancestry, with many having descended from European and Asian immigrants. The indigenous population speaks different Bantu dialects, while the relatives of white settlers know a variant of Dutch called Afrikaans. These wide influences offer a wealth of history traditions, music and art, made even more enjoyable to explore by the summer sun, the perfect time for South Africa travel.

Visit South Africa with Luxury Gold and ecplore UNESCO World Heritage Site Robben Island. Here you’ll have the opportunity to meet with Christo Brand, former prison guard to Nelson Mandela. Learn about life with the inspirational leader, and the work of the non-profit Amy Foundation, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience.

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To discover the winter sun of South Africa for yourself, take a look at our Spectacular South Africa limited edition journey.

Kind and endangered, the Ojibwe Spirit Horses of Mādahòkì Farm have an intriguing story to tell. An important part of Canada’s Indigenous history, they once roamed the lands freely. But through hunting and loss of wild habitat, their numbers dwindled dangerously close to extinction.

To learn of her mission to revive the breed, we spoke to Trina Mather-Simard, CEO of Indigenous-Experiences a non profit indigenous arts and culture organisation and owner of Madahoki Farm. Trina herself is Ojibwe, a status member from Curve Lake First Nation. Her passion is preserving the Ojibwe Spirit Horses and all they represent.

Guests on Indulgence of Eastern Canada are welcomed to Trina’s Mādahòkì Farm. Here you are invited to explore Indigenous history through the lens of these charming equines. Enjoy Indigenous tea and Bannock by the fire. Meet the Ojibwe Spirit Horses and learn about their place in Indigenous culture.

See their history brought to life through the beautiful works of artist Rhonda Snow. Her exquisite artworks tells a series of stories she collected from the memories of Elders.

The Ojibwe Sprit Horses

Photo credit: Mādahòkì Farm

Once upon a time, Ojibwe Spirit horses roamed Ontario’s lands, living in harmony with the Indigenous communities since time immemorial. The only known Indigenous breed of horse to Canada, they were hunted to the point of extinction, with their wild lands disappearing.

By 1977, only four wild mares were left in Lac La Croix First Nation area, in northwestern Ontario near the U.S. border to Minnesota. To save them, a group of men from the United States and Canada took them across the frozen ice to Minnesota. Here the mares were matched with a Spanish Mustang to save the breed.

Nowadays there are over 180 Spirit Horses in existence. Dedicated groups and people including Trina continue to work hard to protect the breed as a vital, and adorable, legacy of Indigenous culture.

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Living in partnership

Small, sturdy and built for the Canadian winter, these inquisitive, kind ponies played a key role in indigenous culture. Living in isolated communities where horses roamed free as deer, whenever someone needed a horse, they just went out and caught one.

“They weren’t domesticated, they weren’t corralled. They lived wild, but in partnership with our community,” explains Trina. Still showing their heritage links, many have the prehistoric tiger striping on their legs and dorsal stripes on their backs.

 So many untold stories

Photo credit: Mādahòkì Farm

“The fact that so few know about the story of the Ojibwe Spirit horses is indicative of the huge tapestry of Indigenous history, culture and heritage in our country,” says Trina. “There is so much for everyone to learn, each element playing an important role.”

“Even though I am Ojibway myself, very involved in indigenous tourism and part of the equestrian world, I only heard about these horses at the beginning of the pandemic.

“I was listening to a podcast on CBC where I heard artist Rhonda Snow, an Ojibway horse caretaker and knowledge keeper, talking about the Ojibwe Spirit horses. So, when travel opened back up, we went to go visit them.”

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The inspiration behind Mādahòkì Farm

“I thought it was a really important part of our history to share,” Trina explains. “It offers a similar kind of story to the Indigenous community. Our relationship with our lands and the resilience and strength of our community still being here.

“So, they really inspired us to move in a whole new direction with our business. We moved our entire organisation to Madahoki Farm and we purchased our first few Ojibwe Spirit Horses. Then we started building a way to share their story and show people the importance of the reciprocal partnership with the horses and our communities.

Breeding, awareness and education

Photo credit: Mādahòkì Farm

“We started with two geldings and two young colts. In talks with the Ojibway Horse Society that is managing the resurgence of the breed, we kept one of our young colts as a stallion. So we intend to continue the breeding and help rebuild this breed as well as our role generating awareness and education about them.

“We now have 10 horses, and we bred a foal last year which was very special. We have a few different pastures, some geldings and mares, and our stallion lives very naturally with his little herd of mares.”

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The works of Rhonda Snow

“We also connected with Rhonda Snow, and her work has become a huge part of our education offering here at Mādahòkì Farm,” says Trina, talking of the author and artist from whom she first heard about the Ojibwe Spirit horse’s story.

“What really fascinated me about Rhonda is that she went out and met with Indigenous communities to collect her stories. She spoke to the Elders that remember these ponies and had the oral history. As well as the teachings and stories about the ways that they had been part of their community.”

Artist Rhonda Snow is the recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from Rare Breeds Canada for her tireless work preserving the Ojibwe Horse breed.

“She paints these beautiful, vivid woodland style paintings that tell all of these stories that she’s captured from the oral histories,” explains Trina. “We have a series of the paintings that she allows us to share, with the stories and teachings that go along with it. It’s a captivating way to demonstrate how our community and horses lived on these traditional lands.”

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Why they’re known as Spirit Horses

“I think it’s really about that deep connexion to the lands and the way that we as indigenous people view all of the animals,” says Trina. “A reciprocal partnership with equal respect. The horses would be wild and free living near our communities. And, as their elders would tell us, we would have that understanding and that respect for each other.

“They were willing to help transport items and work with the community. And the community would take care of them and help feed them over the winter months. And so I think it just really speaks of the sacred connexion that we see between all living things with Mother Earth.”

Tosee the spender of Eastern Canada, meet the Ojibwe Spirit Horses of Mādahòkì Farm, and take a journey into Canada’s Indigenous history for yourself, take a look at our Indulgence in Easter Canada limited edition tour.

A sea of pink, so dense you cannot see the sky. Japanese cherry blossom is a mesmerizing sight. The significance of cherry trees goes back centuries in Japanese culture. Known as ‘sakura’ the pink flowers symbolize how short and precious life is.

Travel with us on our Majestic Japan tour and have the privileged opportunity to meet with a specialized Cherry Blossom Doctor. In the beautiful setting of Hirosaki Castle in Amouri, you will learn how they take meticulous care to nurture the cherry blossom trees. This ensures that each and every one is healthy and thriving during the blossom season each April.

Discover this on: Majestic Japan

The symbolism of Japanese cherry blossom

As well as their beauty, the cherry blossoms hold great symbolism for the Japanese. Said to be like the clouds, as they bloom all together and sit at the top of the trees. Then, like clouds, they suddenly disappear. This has come to symbolize ‘ephemerality or transient nature of life.’ Reflecting a longstanding of Buddhist concept in Japanese culture known as ‘mono no aware,’ or roughly, ‘the pathos of things,’ which recognizes both the beauty and mortality inherent in life.

For travel inspiration: Japan destination guide

Japan’s cherry blossom obsession

If you travel to Japan in the springtime, you will be swept up in the changes to the atmosphere and landscapes. Promises of new life and new beginnings mix with soft scents as plants and flowers burst into life. Japanese cherry blossoms take pride of place, a source of conversation as people become entranced by the trees. It is not uncommon to see people taking their time to photograph the blooms from every angle.

Shops and stores fill with pink products in celebration, and the Starbucks Sakura tree-themed drinks are in everyone’s clutches. Cherry blossom festivals are held in many parks and castle grounds across Japan. And the Japanese cherry blossom flower is seen on everything from wall paper to clothing.

Read more: A journey of a lifetime: unearthing Majestic Japan, with Luxury Gold

The cherry blossom doctors

Tree doctors, or arborists, are the specialists that keep the Japanese cherry trees healthy all year round. They’re able to diagnose the condition of a tree just by looking at the color of its leaves and branches or listening to the sound of the trunk. Throughout the year they take care of these precious trees, both to guarantee the most magnificent blossoms, and the ensure they can survive for further decades.

In Hirosaki, where Luxury Gold guests will meet a cherry blossom doctor, these guardians are known as the known as the sakuramori. Sakuramori literally means “people who look after sakura” in Japanese.

Most of Hirosaki Park’s cherry blossoms are the variety called ‘Somei Yoshino’ which live around 60 years. But Hirosaki also has trees that are over 100 years old and still blossom profusely. The oldest cherry blossom tree in Japan is over 2,000 years old. Called ‘Jindai Zakura’, it grows within the grounds of the Jissoji Temple in Yamanashi, with a root circumference of 13.5m.

Read more: Sakura: The story of an obsession

Preserving the green spaces in Japan

Whilst the volume of green areas in Japan’s cities has generally increased over the last two decades, in many places it is becoming more difficult for trees to grow healthy and strong. This is because of new diseases and pests. Urban forests are important to clean air, reduce flood risks and even lower stress, which is why the Japanese cherry blossom doctors are vital for keeping Japan’s cities green.

The tree doctors are highly skilled in trimming any branches that appear sick or are preventing other branches from growing. They also keep an eye out for mushrooms as these rot the branch from the inside, meaning the branch is more likely to fall.

Hirosaki Style Management

Hirosaki style management was first introduced in the 1960’s. The way sakuramoris take care of sakura trees originated from the highly successful pruning methods used by Hirosaki’s apple farmers. Local farmers grew apples on the lower part of the trees to facilitate harvest, and this technique has proved useful for managing sakura today.

Sakuramoris first thin the branches to allow new branches to grow. After pruning and fertilization, sakura flowers can then blossom from the lower part of the tree. This is why, compared to the average Somei Yoshino, each bud in Hirosaki Park can develop one to two more flowers. When cherry blossom season arrives, after a winter of loving care the flowers are simply spectacular.

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Hirosaki Castle and park

The most stunning setting, Hirosaki city is an old castle town in Aomori, Japan. Beautiful any time of year, its vast park is home to Hirosaki Castle. Widely considered as one of Japan’s most beautiful castles, Hirosaki Castle is the symbol of the park. It is one of the few Japanese castles that has been preserved in its original structure.

Constructed in the Hirayama style, the main tower was built on top of a hill for easier defense and surrounded by defensive walls, moats, and yagura towers. The park surrounding the castle is filled with cherry trees, and when spring arrives in late April the cherry blossom festival always draws huge crowds. The park has about 50 varieties of Sakura tree, with over 2600 trees overall.

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To have the opportunity to meet a Japanese cherry blossom doctor for yourself, and to explore the best of this enchanting country, take a look at our Majestic Japan luxury guided tour. Discover and elegant, enchanting and ever-changing Japan, with exceptional hotels and exquisite dining bookending each unforgettable day.