Reader Interactions

Leave a comment

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. Knowa

    Where did you purchase the Vespa in CT? Was it new or used? (looks new!). Separately, what’s your opinion of living in Hout Bay (assuming you can work from home)?

    • The Blonde Abroad

      Hey there! I bought my Vespa used on GumTree (it’s like the local Craigslist). It’s really difficult to find Vespas in Cape Town that aren’t expensive as they are a foreign import. And South Africa has a really high tax on everything that’s imported. The guy had slid out and crashed it, so it did have quite a bit of body damage — it’s just not super visible in pictures (the white one). The red one we got from a Vespa dealership, but you’re going to pay a boatload (wouldn’t recommend).

      Opinion of living in Hout Bay: A lot of people do. I personally wouldn’t as it’s very far out of town and you’re looking at 20-30 minutes depending to get to and from town. If you want to be near the beach, shops and have a cool place to work at, it’s not my first choice. I would say if you’re foreign and looking to have an Ex-Pat experience, Seapoint, Greenpoint, Bantry Bay are all good beachfront areas. The closer to the waterfront like De Waterkant — you just have to be mindful of safety. If it’s a secure apartment building on an upper floor, you’ll probably feel a bit more secure than a bottom unit.

  2. Carly

    Thank you for all the great info! How long do you have to leave the country for & how far do you have to go in order to come back on another 90-day visa? Thanks!

    • The Blonde Abroad

      Hi Carly! I hate to give any advice related to visas and immigration restrictions as things may change, but I met with an immigration attorney because I spent so much time in Cape Town and was told that the only way that it’s legal is if you leave the country just before your 90-day visa ends and re-enter after to start a new 90 days. It can’t be a bordering country, but let’s say you left Cape Town 30 days into your 90-day visa and returned within a few days, technically that doesn’t reset your 90 days. It has to be on those specific dates/intervals.

      I always found Johannesberg was way more strict with not resetting your 90 days, but pretty much any time I re-entered Cape Town from a non-bordering country, they would give me another 90 days on entry. But I did ask the attorney and he said that if I was ever questioned, that technically I don’t have a new 90 days. It’s only when you leave the country just before the 90 days expires and then reenter after to reset it.

Instagram

What if you could travel the world… without paying for accommodation? Sounds too good to be true, right?
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Here’s the secret—@homeexchangecom. It’s a social network where you swap homes with fellow travelers, whether it’s an apartment or a house.

While we stayed in a gorgeous, centrally located apartment in Manhattan to celebrate the holiday season, our guests enjoyed a sunny winter in Southern California while staying in our cozy home. It’s a win-win!

No expensive hotel stays, no home sitters needed. Home exchange saves you thousands by giving you a free place to stay in someone else’s home.

You can filter your search for homes with a pool or something pet-friendly or kid-friendly to find your perfect home away from home.

We left a little welcome basket and some local travel tips for our guests to make it extra special for them.

So whether it’s a modern apartment in the city or a beach house getaway, this travel hack can make your dream vacation a reality.
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Bonus: When you sign up using the link in my bio, you’ll get free GuestPoints! These let you experience the magic of HomeExchange as a guest first—even before you host anyone in your home.
A fairytale stay 🏰 
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
I highly recommend staying a night or 2 at @themanor_house in The Cotswolds.

It’s located in the tiny, picturesque village of Castle Combe—one of my favorite stops of our trip.

We had the entire village to ourselves early in the morning and at sunset which was so magical!
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#themanorhouse #cotswolds #castlecombe
I can confirm—The Cotswolds are a dream! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🍂
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
I took a spontaneous trip with my friend to the countryside of England and it was everything I dreamed it would be!

The Cotswolds feel like stepping back in time with historic villages and adorable cottages). While these places might seem similar at first glance, each village was actually quite unique. These are some of the cutest villages we visited:

- Castle Combe
- Bourton-on-the-Water 
- The Slaughters
- Stow-on-the-Wold
- Broadway
- Snowshill
- Bibury

Some amazing villages and towns not featured but also worth visiting include:

- Broadway
- Burford
- Daylesford & Daylesford Farms
- Chipping Campden
- Cirencester

Are The Cotsworlds on your bucket list?
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#cotswolds #england #uk
Share
Tweet
Pin