Have you ever found a sweater you really loved and proceeded to buy it in every color? The material was great, the fit was perfection, and you were convinced this single garment would change your life forever?

Well, The Blonde Abroad retreats are much like that for me.

After attending Kiersten’s blogging retreat in Bali, I was hooked. She brought together a group of driven, like-minded individuals and not only taught us invaluable skills, but also created a community with friendships that far outlasted the trip itself. The retreat was unlike anything I’d ever experienced.

So when I heard about The Blonde Abroad Photography Tour in South Africa I didn’t give it a second thought. Improving my photography skills with one of the best, in one of the most beautiful places on Earth? Sign me up!

And while I went into it with high expectations, I was still completely blown away by how unbelievable the photography tour was.

A Warm Welcome and Details for Days

Our tour began with a night at the historic Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel. Its vintage feel and intriguing history were the perfect way to become acquainted with Cape Town. It’s easy to see why John Lennon would frequently visit for meditations, why it was one of Nelson Mandela’s favorites, and why Winston Churchill declared it to be a “most excellent establishment.”

Fresh fruit and champagne greeted us in our exquisite rooms. On our beds, goodie bags filled with all the essentials – balms and lotions, healthy snacks, and even personalized water bottles so we’d stay hydrated on the go.

And that was just the beginning.

Every night during the tour, we returned to our rooms to find a printed itinerary of what was in store for us the following day. The detailed activity breakdown even included the next day’s forecast and a reminder to charge our batteries. It was an OCD dream come true!

Our local driver, Mueen, was equally detail-oriented. Every day he would show up wearing an outfit inspired by our latest activity. For instance, the day he drove us to the game reserve he wore a safari chic camo ensemble. Being dazzled by his wardrobe was a daily highlight.

The Accommodations

Another unexpectedly wonderful surprise on The Blonde Abroad photography tour was just how amazing our accommodations were. I knew they’d be nice but… wow.

Each was more fantastic than the last!

The Belmond set the bar high, but the villa we headed to next was even more incredible! The sunny interior was only outdone by the stunning ocean views from our balcony pool high above the street. Just a few blocks from the shoreline, it was the perfect vantage point for some jaw-dropping sunsets.

Next it was on to the Gondwana Game Reserve. I expected a cute, rustic lodge. Instead, we stayed in immaculate villas with our own luxurious rooms. In addition to a dreamy bed that looked like it was fit for royalty, I had my own fireplace, wrap-around deck, and extravagant bathroom. Did I mention the bed was heated?

From there it was on to our adorable cottages in the Boschendal Winery. The brightly-colored interiors and charming country accents made for a relaxing final few days. And, of course, we were each greeted with a bottle of the vineyard’s signature wine on our beds (talk about a welcome wagon!)

The Cuisine

There’s nothing worse than getting hangry when you travel. But we certainly never went hungry during the photography tour! There were always delicious snacks to keep our stomachs from growling.

And the meals… oh, the meals!

All the food was out of this world! We had a local chef prepare traditional African cuisine and mouth-watering creations at our Cape Town villa. We sampled dishes from awesome area eateries. There was a sunset beach picnic with catered dishes resembling Food Network masterpieces. We even rode horses up to a campfire breakfast with absolutely incredible views.

And, of course, there was the wine tasting at Boschendal. There are no words.

The Adventures

When asked what my favorite part of The Blonde Abroad photography tour was I never know what to say. Each excursion was more memorable than the last, and each revealed another side of South Africa’s multi-faceted persona.

Helping Kiersten narrate each stop on the tour was Natalie from Tails of a Mermaid. Her humor and infectious charisma made explanations of the local history extremely entertaining.

Here are just a few of the highlights:

Bo-Kaap

The playful nature of Bo-Kaap’s colorful facades is an Instagram oasis. The prismatic hues were perfect for practicing our new photography skills. And as luck would have it, the infamous blue car was parked right out front!

Helicopter Tour

We put on our adventure pants and flew over Cape Town in a helicopter to see the city from above. We even saw a whale (!!!), which made the experience that much more unbelievable.

The Old Biscuit Mill and Woodstock

After a morning spent eating and shopping our way through the Old Biscuit Mill, we photographed graffiti art around the nearby Woodstock neighborhood. Some were political, some were fun, and all were excellent for photos!

Sunset Beach Picnic

You haven’t lived until you’ve watched the sun dip below the horizon while sipping cocktails underneath a parasol while enjoying foods that tickle your tastebuds. Talk about a pinch-me moment! It was phenomenal!

The Penguins at Boulders Beach

Hanging out with penguins. Yup, that’s a thing.

An undeniable highlight of the tour was getting up close and personal with these dapper, tuxedo-wearing waterfowl. On a 1-10 scale of cuteness, it was easily a 12.

Sunrise On Lion’s Head

For those of us willing to forego a little shut-eye, we greeted the sun from atop Lion’s Head. And to reward our efforts for making the 45-minute hike, Kiersten’s team even thought to bring coffee for us!

Talk about the best part of waking up!

Muizenberg Beach Huts

If Bo-Kaap wasn’t colorful enough, then the beach huts in Muizenberg had us covered. The rainbow exteriors are an exclaimation point along the serene shoreline. It was literally impossible to take a bad picture with them.

Safari Time

An African safari had been on my bucket list for as long as I could remember. And the Gondwana Game Reserve definitely did not disappoint!

We got up close and personal with 4 of the Big 5 (including my fave – elephants!) We even had an incredibly close encounter with a pride of lions… at night… when they surrounded our vehicle.

Every game drive was memorable and being able to see these gorgeous animals in their natural environment was something I’ll never forget.

Cape of Good Hope

While not technically the southernmost point of Africa, it still feels like you’re on the edge of the world.

Our visit to the Cape offered breathtaking views, a picturesque lighthouse, and wind. Lots and lots of wind. Bright side? It made us look fierce in our photos. Jackpot!

The Workshops

At the heart of The Blonde Abroad photography tour was sharpening our skills to effectively capture the world around us.

We practiced shooting on manual settings, perfecting composition using the rule of thirds, and utilizing editing tricks within Lightroom.

And despite already being familiar with all of this before, I still learned a lot. The tips and tricks I picked up while on the photography tour have already made my life infinitely easier.

My favorite workshop? Night photography! We got creative with sparklers, captured the cosmos, and unleashed our creativity with light painting. The resulting images were spectacular!

The Friendships

But aside from amazing accommodations, delectable cuisine, unforgettable experiences, and priceless knowledge, the best part of The Blonde Abroad photography retreat was the lasting friendships.

Just like Kiersten’s blogging retreat in Bali, the ladies I met in South Africa quickly became some of my favorite people. Coming from different corners of the globe and from different backgrounds, we all shared a love for adventure and capturing the world around us.

We supported each other, learned from each other, and laughed together like we’d been friends for years. Bags weren’t even packed before making plans for our next adventure together.

Kiersten and her team at The Blonde Abroad have a knack for taking a simple idea and turning it into pure gold.

Bringing a group together to teach photography skills seems straightforward enough. But throw in a few beautiful villas, mind-blowing meals, unforgettable experiences, and planning every last detail to perfection and you have something truly unique.

I’ll take one in every color, please.

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