CALL ME BACKWhat’s the best way to escape the winter blues? It’s heading off for a spontaneous weekend getaway! Nothing beats the feeling of turning your back on the city to explore the roads less travelled and discover South Africa’s hidden gems. And with access to a comprehensive list of AA-approved accommodation, you can rest assured that you’re getting the best value for money during your stay.
Need inspiration? We’ve got you covered.
Take a sho’t left from Joburg
When it’s time to put some space between yourself and the fast-paced city of Jozi, you’ve got some great options. For a safari stay, head to the Pilanesberg National Park. Spend the weekend perusing museums and monuments in Pretoria on a culture trip, or journey back in time to the quaint Victorian village of Cullinan.
Escape to the Cape – weekend trips from Cape Town
Winter in Cape Town is wet, windy and wild – and provides the perfect excuse to find a warm spot beside a fire and spend the weekend wining and dining in true Capetonian style. For weekend trips that are all about the food, head to Franschhoek. For romantic getaways that are all about grey skies and crashing waves, head to the Langebaan lagoon and cosy up inside a seaside cottage enjoying the ocean views. Of course, with winter, comes snow. If you’re keen on a true-blue winter getaway, take a sho’t left from Cape Town to Ceres and build a snowman!
Stay and play in the Eastern Cape – getaways from PE
Trade in the Friendly City for a weekend of wintery fun in the wildest province of all. Make it a safari in the Addo Elephant Park, a beachy break in Port Alfred, or a culture trip in Grahamstown. With weather that ranges from temperate to tempestuous, winters in the Eastern Cape make for adventurous and exciting escapes.
Getaways done the Durban way! Weekend trips from Durbs
Let’s be honest. Most people escape to Durban to flee the cold, not the other way around. If you’re itchy-footed for a flip outside of the city, why not relish the winter chills in the aptly-named Winterton? For safari thrills, there’s no place better than the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park in Zululand. And for culture vultures, the Midlands has your name written all over it!
Blooming great getaway from Bloemfontein
The winter is not all wine and roses in the City of Roses. With temperatures hitting icy lows, you’ll be forgiven for taking the road straight to Durbs for a week or two. But with only a weekend to spare, make the most of winter and cuddle up with your better half in Clarens. This lovely town is conveniently situated for rock art viewing, hiking, horse trails and fly fishing, as well as game viewing at Golden Gate. For something completely different, check out the Cinderella Castle, which is built out of more than 50,000 beer bottles!
Whether you’re a details-orientated planner or a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants spontaneous traveller, we don’t take accommodation recommendations lightly. When you book AA Quality Assured Accommodation, you’re assured a comfortable stay with great service and excellent value for money. Browse all our recommended accommodation options here.
