With the shops filling up with already anxious shoppers, not to mention the parking spaces – yikes, we’re taking the time to unplug here in Stanford. After all, we’re a Heritage Village nestled between a gorgeous mountain range and a tranquil river – what else would you expect? But what does it mean to unplug? Are we saying toss your iPhone into the cool depths of the Klein River? Well, not quite.
Instead we’re suggesting taking the time to unplug from the busy, that white noise constantly buzzing in your ear telling you there’s too much to do, hurry, hurry huuuuuuurry. Here it’s about taking it slow, about doing more of what you love, and less of the headache stuff. Walk more instead of driving everywhere, ride your bike, paddle along the river or go on a cruise and if you want to use tech, use it to capture beautiful moments with friends and family, or send someone a “wish you were here, let’s do this together next year” message.
Get together with friends and family and enjoy the beauty of the Klein River with a river cruise (image: Lady Stanford)
And down the river he goes…(image: Annalize Mouton)
Enjoy lazy lunches, sample some magnificent local food and wines, let the kids just play and play and play and skip a bath or two if you’re feeling rebellious.
Family-friendly restaurants like Stanford Hills where kids can play and mom and dad can relax
Springfontein’s Cellarmaster, Tariro, soaking up country living at Springfontein Wine Estate (via @springfonteinwine on Instagram)
Farm life at White Water Farm (via @whitewaterstanford on Instagram)
Unplugging can be as joyous as growing your own veggies – Goodwill Mountain Farm (via @goodwillmountain on Instagram)
Do your last minute Christmas shopping at a local market (try the Stanford Street Festival for some lovely ideas on December 16th) or shop right here in the village and support local entrepreneurs doing what they love.
The Stanford Street Festival on December 16th is a great day out to shop, eat and soak up a charming Christmas market right in the village’s main street.
Shop beautiful treasures at Stanford’s Antique and Vintage shops, this beautiful collection available at Bellairs Withers.
Handmade Soaps and body products along with a myriad of gifts and goodies from Antjie’s gift shop in Queen Victoria Street.
Sit on a beautiful stoep and take in the sights and sounds of village life, or go an adventure – hike to a waterfall or soak in the wonder of an ancient milkwood forest.
The dreamy stoep of Lavenders Blue (image: Stanford Country Cottages)
And if you need more inspiration, pop into the tourism office, we’d love to make some suggestions and help you make the most of your stay.
Whatever you do, and however you choose to spend your time in Stanford these holidays, do it at your pace, or even better, at ours. Let us rub off on you a little bit, and go home with some Stanford magic dust and a heart (and memory card) filled with memories.
Beautiful cover image of this blog by Annalize Mouton.