Picture it. You arrive to your boutique hotel-slash-farm and the intoxicating scent of lavender coaxes you inside. You’re escorted into a room with a view of a purple field that seems to stretch for miles and you’re pleasantly surprised by the lavender shampoos, soaps and lotions that are complimentary in your hotel room. South Africa is a haven for lavender fields and of course, that comes with multiple farms and a hotel that centers around this aromatic herb. Here are the top lavender farms that will take your senses away in South Africa.
Courtesy of www.lavenderfarmfranschhoek.co.za
Lavender Farm Guest House – Franschhoek
Right outside of Cape Town is the hilly terrain town of Franschhoek that provides a stunning backdrop for a lavender field. The white Cape Dutch style guest houses are nestled in the foothills of the mountains facing the open field. Because Lavender Farm Guest House is located in the middle of the winelands, guests will enjoy wine tasting by the pool before retiring to their rooms for a lavender-scented bubble bath. Guests will notice their luxurious room is lavender themed with purple lampshades and lavender art pieces to match the field that they can see through their windows. It’s advised to book a room as soon as possible as there are only 28 guests permitted per night.
Courtesy of http://www.canettevalleilavender.co.za/
Canettevallei Lavender – Stellenbosch
Kill two birds with one stone at this farm. Canettevallei Lavender doubles as a winery and a lavender farm. Guests can explore the three hectares wide blueish purple field before heading back to the shop to take home souvenirs of lavender beauty and health products. The shop also sells shabby chic goods like locally-made kitchen towelettes, embroidered toys, lavender cordials and much more.
Courtesy of http://lavender-farm.co.za/Home.htm
Swellendam Lavender Farm – Swellendam
Swellendam Lavender Farm is a family-owned business in Western Cape. The farm owner went to Provence in France to study the plants and learned how to make the oils and other spa products. Today, visitors can visit the cottage farm overlooking the field in the middle of the Langeberg Mountains and purchase products made from the plants from the very same field. In addition to beauty and health products, guests can also try out lavender cookies, plus get helpful tips on lavender recipes and gardening.
Courtesy of Joe Shoe/Flickr.com
Owl’s Rest – Robertson
Located in Western Cape, Robertson is a small town with a population of about 27,000 residents. Farming is a big deal in this town that’s full of one of a kind farms like an ostrich farm, wineries and most importantly, a lavender farm. Owl’s Rest is the place to stock up on your essential oils, lotions and soaps while admiring the very purple field they were harvested from. In fact, locals love to keep this under-the-radar place a secret so they can have their own idyllic escape during peak season. The farm is surrounded by the Langeberg Mountains, giving visitors a breathtaking view. The staff are more than happy to educate you on the benefits and the history of the herb (for example: did you know that Cleopatra used lavender to seduce Mark Antony?) The farm also grows and sells rosemary and rose geranium products.
Courtesy of http://www.lavendersa.co.za
Lavender SA – Pretoria
The Western Cape isn’t the only place to get your lavender fix in South Africa. Pretoria is home to the Lavender SA, a farm where wild lavender grows. Unlike what you’ll see on most lavender farms, the plants are not groomed into perfect ovals, but are freely growing, getting several feet tall like the wild lavender you’d see in Provence. The farm operates as a gift shopping selling potted lavender plants, lavender bath salts, and lavender posies (dried lavender as centerpieces).
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