One of the most gorgeous spots to retreat to on a weekend, the rustic little village of Tesselaarsdal has a delightfully undiscovered feel to it. A characterful low-ceilinged main farmhouse and two cottages sleep 14 in a cluster of bedrooms around the enclosed pool and Kol-Kol hot tub, making it a great escape for family get-togethers. Inside, Bella Rosa house is lux farm style. You’ll enjoy beautiful white bed linen and thick towels, handpicked art pieces and walk on worn Persian carpets.

My name is Niki and I live with my husband in Cape Town. We have 4 cats, Hans, Claud, Triss and Allan, and I love all kinds of creatures. (You will often find me picking up snails or giving names to creatures I will never see again.) I love painting and cooking, and my ultimate goal in life is to teach my cats how to pee in the toilet. Carol will be available in person if you need her. I am also reachable.

Bundle the kids in the car, pack the mountain bikes, and within two hours (from Cape Town), you’ll arrive at this charming 7 ha smallholding above set on the hillside above the village, in an almost undiscovered area of the Overberg. One of Bella Rosa’s original cottages is a barn-like room that dates back to the 1700s and is steeped in history. The farm was part of Johannes Tesselaar’s original farm, which he bequeathed to slaves in 1810. The cottage on Bella Rosa housed the descendants of freed slaves until just 30 years ago. 35 minutes from Stanford, 20 minutes from Creation Wines on the Hemel en Aarde wine route, and just over half an hour to Hermanus.