As South Africans, we generally associate Christmas with summer holidays, beach or pool parties, brais in the hot heat, and afternoon thunderstorms. But how many of us don't want to experience the classic Northern Hemisphere Christmas? You know, as you can see in the film, including grey sky and snowflakes, freshly cut Christmas trees, log fire, mulled wine, traditional lunches with all trimmings, wool scarves, and warm sweaters.
Enter Christmas in July! For Ekko Director Samantha Pillay, forgetting about the slow December and flooded Pablova, July is the perfect time to rethink Christmas. With the very realistic possibilities of frost, fog, log fire and snow in cold regions of South Africa, it is an ideal environment for Yuletide in true winter. “Who says you can't regain the holiday spirit in July with a true Northern Climbing style? It offers a lot of fun from the pressure off,” she says.
So, if you dream of a white Christmas, South Africa has some frizzy tricks on its sleeves. Pillay shares several chilly escapes for his favorite chilly escapes, including the majestic Drakensburg, the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, the rugged Cederburg in the Western Cape, the Hogsback in the Eastern Cape, and the Highlands of Mpumalanga. So, gather your family and friends for Christmas in July and trade fazzy socks and flip flops with hot chocolate and ice cream.
How do you see that authentic winter Christmas magic? Pillay has a few ideas:
Choose your favorite winter escape and if you're a member of Ekko, use stocks to secure a luxurious self-meter accommodation with a cozy fireplace (especially because there's nothing like toasted marshmallows stuck between the Marie biscuits shared around the rooster). Decide on your own Christmas date – perhaps July 25th? Pack your tinsels, festive serviets, decorative candles from the house. Create a gift for fun, with a per person rule. Choose a stupid, convenient, or homemade theme to set spending limits and share the Christmas spirit without the stress of shopping. And Christmas lunch? Use your self-sufficiency facility for traditional but simple festive dishes. Slowly cooked roasted meat with roasted vegetables and gravy or more South African flavours – a hearty Podgiecos with Christmas spices. Remember that in cold weather everything tastes better and ends up with a hot pudding (buy it first or freeze). For the fun of the “Night Before Christmas”: We will hold the “ugly Jersey” contest. Everyone must wear the boldest, most entertaining or the most over-the-top jerseys. It doesn't have to be a Christmas design. I'll go laughing about anything. Try the Gruwayne South African style. While baking the Beaule and chops, spice-scented wine is simmered over coal, adding German traditions and undoubtedly a local twist. Make the most of your festive winter break with a scenic hiking-like activity. The crisp air and clear views make them perfect for walking trails, and many Ecco destinations offer a beautiful route that is ideal for viewing winter scenery. Enjoy a meal or coffee experience. Winter means more time indoors to explore quaint coffee shops and have dinner. Ekko members can take advantage of food and coffee deals to make their meals even more affordable. It's an easy way to try out your local favorites without breaking your budget. Many destinations offer discounted access to local attractions and help keep kids entertained while enjoying the slow, cozy pace of true winter break.
“Many Ekko shareholders are seeing this time to take advantage of off-peak rates and discounts that make these experiences more accessible,” adds Pillay. “Ecco's approach to travel and lifestyle is to make it easier for South Africans to experience quality holidays, meals and activities even on a budget. This means they can enjoy all the magic of the Christmas celebration in July without the insanity of December,” she concludes.
For more information on how to become an Ekko shareholder, please visit www.ekko.co.za.
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