Africa Day 25 May

Today is Africa Day!
The day commemorates the founding of the #africanunion
It is intended to celebrate & acknowledge African #solidarity , #unityindiversity ,creativity,challenges and successes!
A continent rich in raw materials, natural wonders, dramatic coastline, wildlife, which makes it attractive to people from other continents.
Africa is the world’s second-largest and second most-populous continent. It covers 6% of the Earth’s total surface area ( if you include the adjacent islands)

Have you visited Africa? Let me know in the comments

#africangirl #africamonth #africanamazing #africalove #africatravel #bbcafrica #afriquedusud #africanadventure #africanlife #exploringafrica #mybeautifulafrica
#rhinoceros #safarilife #wildlifeprotection #wildlifelovers #natureisbeauty #wildlife_perfection #safariafrica #africanimals #blogger_at #bloggerlove #trendingafrica #trendingposts #trendingnow #natureblogger #traveltheworld #travelphotographer

Fun Travel Fact Friday (21 May 21)

Travel Fun Fact Friday (Africa Edition)
1. Africa is not a country, it is a continent that consists of 54 countries.
2. Lake Victoria is the largest lake in Africa and the world’s second-largest freshwater lake.
3.Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain on the continent.
4.Victoria Falls is the largest waterfall in Africa; it is 355 feet high and one mile wide.
5.African continent is the world’s oldest populated area.
Comment below on your thoughts on todays fun Africa Facts
#africangirl #africamonth #africanamazing #africalove #africatravel #bbcafrica #afriquedusud #africanadventure #africanlife #exploringafrica #mybeautifulafrica
#rhinoceros #safarilife #wildlifeprotection #wildlifelovers #natureisbeauty #wildlife_perfection #safariafrica #africanimals #blogger_at #bloggerlove #trendingafrica #trendingposts #reelsinstagram #trendingnow #natureblogger #traveltheworld #travelphotographer #wildlifephotos #safariphotography

Interview with Chef Pasqualino Barbasso 15 May 21

I had the pleasure of interviewing the amazing Chef Pasqualino Barbasso who told us about his adventures as a pizza chef He grew up making pizza as his parents own a restaurant in Sicily! He tours the world to show his skills! His next stop is Cameroon. He also plans on visiting Mexico and Dubai later on this year We wish him all the best with his ventures. If you want to find out more about him ,check out his Instagram https://www.instagram.com/pasqualinobarbasso/ #italia🇮🇹 #pizzachef #italianfoodporn #pizzadough #triplover #bloggergirls #interviewskills #watchthis #trendingnow😍 #sicily🇮🇹 #foodiefeature #eatsplorations #foodofthedaypic #instagood #pizzanapolitana #pizzasiciliana #ilfuturoècroccante #sicilianfood #sicilian #sicily🇮🇹 #foodielove #deliciousfoodies #pasqualinobarbasso #diversamentenapoletana #instacoolfood

Instagram Live with Chloe (@Chapters of Chloe )7 May 21

I had a chat with Chloe from @chaptersofchloe (Instagram)!

Chloe is from Australia and lives in #barcelona🇪🇸 #spain❤️
She has been there for 2 years, studying and teaching English
During her time in Spain Chloe has traveled to more than 24 countries
Her top tip to female travelers is don’t hesitate about whether or not to travel -JUST GO !!
Thanks so much, @chaptersofchloe for coming onto NSOS ! It was an absolute pleasure having you on and we look forward to seeing more of your adventures

https://www.instagram.com/tv/COk_0NzKZSy/?igshid=v7ekzagd29ou

Fun Travel Fact Friday (7/5/2021)

Fun Travel Fact Friday 

Here are today’s facts :

1)The Isle of Sark, in between England and France, doesn't have street lamps, cars, or outdoor lighting.

2)The whole of China operates on Beijing time, even though the country covers five time zones.

3)The city of Monaco is smaller in size than Central Park in New York City

4)Dubai owns 20% of the world’s cranes.

5)The total length of the world’s coastline is approximately the same distance as the earth to the moon,350,016km

Did you enjoy today's fun facts? 

#travelpassion #travelismylife #passiontravel #femaletravelbloggers #followmytravels #travelawesome #travelmore #girlstravel #postcardsfromtheworld #travelaroundtheworld #traveldiary #femmetravel #femalesolotraveler #bloggerstravellovers #blogtravel #bloggerstravellovers  #_travelbeautiful_ #lovesark #monaco  #travelmakeshappy #trendingnow #funfactsoftheday #funfacts #travel_drops #blogger_tr #_travelsoulmates #dubai🇦🇪 #chinagram

#sarkstories 

NSOS-Nicole Stepping Out Sessions (1 May 2021)#2 Interview with Bokyung...

Today I spoke with Bokyung who lives in Madrid, Spain, and is originally from South Korea. She has lived in Spain for the past 8 years and told me that she was always interested in travel for as long as she could remember. She traveled to Australia at the age of 16 to study. She fell in love with Spain after traveling there with her friends. She works and blogs part-time. She has traveled to more than 45 countries (that she can remember ). Bok doesn't have a favorite country and she finds the best in every place she goes to. She considers herself a 'spontaneous traveler', and she doesn't plan too much before she travels. Costa Rica is one of her favorite countries as it has everything with beaches and jungles, nature, and as well as cities. She really enjoyed the delicious food there as well. Madrid is her favorite city in Spain because it has everything that is easily available and it is a lively city. She tries to travel as often as possible and is based in Europe she sometimes takes quick trips to other European countries besides traveling internationally. Bok makes the best of every situation and sees the positive side of everything which I think is a great quality to have as an avid traveler Her top tip for female solo travelers is that women should not feel intimidated/limited because you are a woman. Also, be careful in places that are not safe and try to stay in groups at night in strange places Her platform name is a play on words kimchi(Korean traditional food) + chihuahua (she loves them). She has already booked her next trip so follow her IG to see where she is off to. She is also about to start her blog so keep an eye out for it on her page I thoroughly enjoyed my session with Bokyung, check out her IG https://www.instagram.com/kimchihuahuatravel/ #trendingreels #viralposts #exploretheworld #seetheworld #destinationearth #travelpassion #flyaway #letsflyaway #southafricanblogger #bossbabetribe #workanywhere #digitalnomadlife #bloggerin #faunaiberica #spainsnow #summerinspain #spainin10sec #españateespera #spainsnow #historicplaces #femalesolottravel #gltlove #girlslovetravel #digitalnomadlife #digitalnomadgirls #bloggerlifesyle #travelingplanet #travelislife🌏 #passionpassports #passionfortravel

Nicole Stepping Out visits Colmant Cap Classique& Champagne -Franschoek, South Africa

'Champagne is one of the elegant extras in life -Charles Dickens

The entrance

I must confess my knowledge of wine and champagne leaves a lot to be desired.

Many people I know may have a preference for a 'Shiraz' or Pinotage, for example, however, I only know that I like a semi-sweet, fruity taste.

Champagne is synonymous with festivity and happy times and I had a sense of this from the team at Colmant

The owners, Jean-Philippe Colmant and Paul Gerber, clearly run this farm with love and it is much more than just a business for them.

The farm is located very close to the town of Franschoek, hence it is very easily accessible. 

When you enter the tasting room the first thing I noticed besides the bottles of champagne, were the figurines of the characters from the popular cartoon, Tintin which was created by Belgian cartoonist Georges Remi, which gives visitors a hint of the owners' heritage

Tintin in his car between the bottles of champagne

The staff are really friendly and willing to share their vast knowledge of wine and champagne production.

I spoke to JP(Jean-Philippe) Colmant about the farm. He told me that he emigrated to South Africa 18 years ago and built the winery making exclusively Cap Classique, therefore, holding the accolade of being South Africa's first cellar solely dedicated to the production Cap Classique

They produce about 60,000 bottles of Cap Classique per year.

                                                

                                                              Interview with Jean-Philippe Colmant

                                                              

                                                             

What is Cap Classique?

Méthode Cap Classique(MCC) is a South African term for a sparkling wine made in the traditional method (the same way as champagne ) by undergoing a second fermentation 

The team (Jessica and Cara) are really friendly and willing to share their vast knowledge of wine and champagne production.

I was given a tour of the property by Jessica Steyn, who impressed us with her extensive knowledge of the product. She gave us a lovely synopsis on the riddling process as well as Brut Plaisir, Brut Reserve, and Brut Rose 

                                             The riddling process

Riddling :

The process of moving the sediment remaining in the bottle from the second fermentation to rest in the neck of the bottle for easy removal

I had an opportunity to visit the cellar! I was impressed by the huge French oak barrels from the best coopers in Champagne, Jerome Viard of Tonnellerie de Champagne

It was lovely to visit the Colmant Cap Classique and Champagne. My knowledge of the production of the 'bubble' has certainly improved!

For more information check out the below links :

https://www.instagram.com/nicolesteppingout/

https://twitter.com/nicolestepping1

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoot1u1Q80wectlyaJCAeVg?view_as=subscriber

Colmant:

https://colmant.co.za/

https://www.instagram.com/colmantmcc/

The Lavender Farm Guesthouse -Franschoek ,South Africa

                                                      

'Take a deep breathe...

 Inhale peace .

Exhale happiness. '  A.D.Posey 

Do you love the look and smell of fresh lavender? If you do ,you will love this place !

I visited this charming guesthouse in October 2020.

It is a lovely little property that is nestled in the Franschoek Valley, located just a few minutes from the town.

It is surrounded by mountains and the view is spectacular!

I spoke with the General Manager, Schalk, who told me that the guesthouse has been operating for around 9 years and they have done many improvements and added more rooms during this time 

They also plan on adding a picnic and 'braai'(barbecue) area initially for in-house guests,then for the general public.

                                                     Rooms

The accommodation is just lovely. The room has a high ceiling, which opens up the room, making it feel much more spacious.
There are 14 rooms on the property and there is accommodation for 28 guests.My room had twin beds, a couch,a desk, television, wifi and a shower /toilet with a private terrace (perfect to relax and enjoy the surroundings)

My room 

                                                   The Lavender Field 

If you want some tranquility, to get away from the craziness of the city, or just to enjoy an amazing view, this is the spot. It also boasts being the ONLY lavender field in Franschoek.
The field is 3 hectares and is simply stunning! I loved the view and it almost seemed like I was immersed in a real-life painting. A sense of happiness will overwhelm you when you take in these lovely surroundings.
Lavender is known for its calming properties which aid in sleep, reduces stress and anxiety amongst other amazing benefits and I know I was very relaxed during my visit so I can manifest to this.

                                                    Breakfast

The breakfast is served daily and you can choose from either an a la carte or buffet menu I ordered the traditional English breakfast with eggs, bacon sausage tomato and a hash brown which was delicious .The dining area decor is as enchanting as the rest of the accommodation .

                                                    Bar

There is a bar outside which is surrounded by jasmine and other flowers and is located near the pool area. It serves in-house guests every day and is stocked with a variety of local products amongst others 

                                                   Wine farms 

You can visit a variety of wine farms from this location eg Colmant Cap Classique &Champagne  which is right next door 

                                                   Conclusion

The entire experience was wonderful. The staff are always available to help. The accommodation is clean, spacious and very beautiful.

The food is really well prepared though they only serve breakfast so visitors have to get lunch/dinner in the town which isn't very far away.

There is also a lovely swimming pool area with lounge chairs to relax 

The view is amazing and somehow I felt an amazing sense of calm and peace, probably because of the pungent smell of lavender in the air (who knows ). 

I simply loved the combination of classic style and elegance this accommodation offers, reminiscent of the period when French Huguenots lived.Whether you are looking for a romantic getaway or if you want some calm and tranquility this is a really lovely option to consider when visiting the Franschoek area in the Cape, South Africa 

For more information check out the below links :

https://www.instagram.com/nicolesteppingout/

https://twitter.com/nicolestepping1

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoot1u1Q80wectlyaJCAeVg?view_as=subscriber

http://www.lavenderfarmfranschhoek.co.za/

https://www.facebook.com/lavenderfarmguesthouse/

https://www.instagram.com/lavenderfarmguesthouse/?hl=en