The farmhouse and pool lawn at Nieuwe Sion

Nieuwe Sion · Cape Winelands, South Africa

The Art of Slow Living

Five days to slow down, reconnect and rest.

A curated retreat in the heart of South Africa's Cape Winelands. Surrounded by vineyards, mountains and gardens, discover the pleasure of unhurried days, gentle movement, beautiful food and meaningful experiences.

1 to 5 April 2027  |  Five Days  |  Four Nights  |  14 Guests

An Invitation to Slow Down

Somewhere between doing everything and doing nothing, there is the art of living.

There is something quietly extraordinary about slowing down. About waking with the morning light, moving your body without rushing, preparing food with your hands and gathering around a table long after the meal has ended.

About discovering beautiful places, wandering without an agenda and allowing yourself the simple pleasure of being present. The Art of Slow Living is an invitation to experience just that.

Over five thoughtfully curated days in the Cape Winelands, we bring together movement, nature, food, creativity and culture in a setting designed for rest and connection.

There is no pressure to achieve, no demanding schedule and no expectation to be anything other than yourself.

Just time to breathe, explore, create and enjoy.

The Experience

A celebration of life's simple pleasures.

01

Move

Movement that feels good.

Begin your mornings with gentle Pilates, stretching and movement surrounded by the natural beauty of the Winelands. Enjoy peaceful walks, fresh country air and the freedom to move at your own pace. No experience is necessary. Every session is designed to be accessible and restorative, and all Pilates sessions are optional.

02

Nourish

From the garden to the table.

Discover the pleasure of seasonal food, freshly baked bread and meals prepared with care. From hands-on cooking experiences to leisurely farmhouse lunches and candlelit dinners, food is at the heart of our time together.

03

Create

The joy of making something by hand.

Step away from screens and rediscover the simple satisfaction of creating. Knead dough, prepare fresh pasta and enjoy thoughtfully selected creative experiences inspired by the traditions and natural beauty of the Cape.

04

Explore

A sense of place.

Discover the character of the Cape Winelands through its historic towns, beautiful estates, gardens, art and culinary traditions. Wander through Franschhoek, experience the cultural richness of the region and visit some of its most celebrated destinations.

05

Rest

The luxury of doing nothing.

Find time for quiet mornings, afternoon swims, long conversations and moments of complete stillness. Enjoy restorative spa experiences, beautiful gardens and unstructured time to simply be.

Gentle morning Pilates on the lawnHands kneading bread doughGuests dining together around a harvest table at Nieuwe Sion

The Setting

Nieuwe Sion

Your home in the Winelands.

Nestled among vineyards and mountains in the Cape Winelands, Nieuwe Sion offers a peaceful countryside setting in which to slow down and feel at home.

With its beautiful gardens, inviting interiors and connection to the surrounding landscape, the estate provides the perfect backdrop for five days of rest, discovery and gathering.

Mornings begin with birdsong and fresh country air. Afternoons invite you to wander through the gardens, enjoy the swimming pool or settle into a quiet corner with a book.

As evening falls, the farmhouse becomes a place for good food, conversation and the simple pleasure of being together.

For the duration of the retreat, Nieuwe Sion becomes our home away from home. A place to arrive, unpack and stay awhile.

The pool lawn and umbrellas with mountains beyond at Nieuwe SionAfternoon by the pool with fresh fruit at Nieuwe SionA guest bedroom under the thatched beams at Nieuwe Sion
Arched entrance courtyardPicking oranges in the citrus orchardLiving room with arched brick doorwayA slow drink beside the pool

Photography courtesy of Nieuwe Sion.

The Five-Day Journey

Five days, thoughtfully curated.

Each day offers a gentle balance of experiences and free time. Our itinerary is intentionally unhurried, allowing space for spontaneity, discovery and rest.

Day One

Arrive & Exhale

Welcome to the Winelands

Your retreat begins with a warm welcome at Nieuwe Sion. Arrive in the afternoon and settle into your home for the next four nights.

Enjoy homemade refreshments, explore the gardens, take a swim or simply relax after your journey. As the afternoon draws to a close, we gather for a welcome drink and an introduction to the days ahead.

The evening unfolds around a beautifully laid table with a seasonal farm-to-table dinner celebrating the flavours of the Cape. Good food, local wines and the beginning of new friendships.

Today's highlights

  • ·Arrival and welcome refreshments
  • ·Time to settle in and explore
  • ·Welcome gathering
  • ·Farm-to-table dinner

The intention

To arrive, unwind and feel at home.

Itinerary details and partner experiences are still being finalised and may be subject to minor changes.

What's Included

Everything thoughtfully taken care of.

Accommodation

  • Four nights at Nieuwe Sion
  • Shared accommodation, or a private room for single occupancy
  • Access to the estate's gardens and communal facilities

Food & Drink

  • Daily breakfasts, including brunch at La Motte Bakery on Day Three
  • All lunches and dinners throughout the retreat
  • Farm-to-table dining experiences
  • A traditional bread-making experience
  • A pasta-making evening
  • Selected local wines with hosted dinners
  • Tea, coffee and refreshments

Movement & Wellness

  • Daily gentle Pilates or movement sessions, all optional
  • Guided nature walks
  • Enjoy an optional game of tennis
  • A restorative spa treatment at Babylonstoren
  • Time to enjoy the gardens and relaxation facilities, subject to the arranged spa package

Culture & Experiences

  • A curated visit to Franschhoek
  • A visit to La Motte
  • Brunch at La Motte Bakery
  • A visit to Babylonstoren
  • Artisan workshops
  • Local cultural discoveries

Hosting & Logistics

  • Personal hosting throughout the retreat
  • Transport for scheduled group excursions
  • All organised retreat activities
  • A thoughtfully curated itinerary

Not Included

  • Flights to South Africa
  • Airport transfers, unless arranged separately
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal shopping
  • Additional spa treatments
  • Personal expenses
  • Activities outside the scheduled itinerary
Guest suite at Nieuwe Sion opening onto the vineyards

Accommodation

A home away from home.

For four nights, settle into the peaceful surroundings of Nieuwe Sion.

Our retreat is intentionally intimate, welcoming between 10 and 14 paying guests.

Accommodation is offered on a shared basis, with two guests per bedroom, or as a private room for single occupancy.

With only seven guest bedrooms occupied, the retreat offers an intimate atmosphere where meaningful connections can flourish, while still allowing space for privacy, solitude and rest.

10 to 14 guests. Shared rooms or a private room. One beautiful countryside home.

Grapes on the vine at Nieuwe SionA table set for gatheringWatercolour painting on a slow afternoonA game of tennis on the farm

The Investment

An invitation to invest in yourself.

Sharing

R38,000

per person sharing

A bedroom shared with your partner, friend or one other guest for four nights.

Single Occupancy

R54,000

private room

Your own private room for the full four nights.

Five days and four nights in the Cape Winelands.

Accommodation, meals, movement sessions, workshops, cultural excursions, spa experiences and personal hosting are included.

Between 10 and 14 paying guests.

Enquire About Availability

The retreat runs 1 to 5 April 2027. Pricing is per person: R38,000 sharing a bedroom, or R54,000 for a private room. It runs with a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 14 paying guests. Single occupancy is subject to availability.

Questions

Frequently asked.

The beauty of slowing down.

Some of life's most meaningful moments happen when we stop rushing. When we take the time to notice, to create, to gather and to simply enjoy.

Five days in the Cape Winelands. A beautiful place to stay. Good food, gentle movement, meaningful experiences and the freedom to do a little less.

Come as you are. Leave feeling renewed.

THE ART OF SLOW LIVING

Five Days  |  Four Nights  |  10 to 14 Guests

Cape Winelands, South Africa  |  1 to 5 April 2027

R38,000 per person sharing  ·  R54,000 private room

Between 10 and 14 paying guests.

Reserve Your Place

Enquire

Reserve your place.

Share a few details and we will be in touch with availability.