Not many red-blooded South African’s are fond of winter. Most of the things that we love to do suddenly become impossible for us; no braais, no frolicking on the beach and not a whole lot of fun in the sun. There’s no need to feel down and out though, and letting the cold get you down is the worst thing that you can do. It’s much better to embrace the chilly season and explore a side of our rainbow nation that you may not have seen before. With lots to see and do, there really is no excuse for sitting around and feeling blue.

Fun Winter Activities

Do Some Exercise

Just because you can’t wear skimpy summer clothes doesn’t mean that the cooler months are any excuse to let that hard earned summer muscle turn to flab. Sociable and upbeat; some indoor exercise is an excellent alternative to outside activity. Book yourself into your local Thai Bo Class, do some yoga or hit the gym. Whatever you do, get the blood flowing; not only will it make you feel warmer, but it’ll get those endorphins flowing. And you’ll look a whole lot better when the time comes to hit the beach.

Treat Yourself

Winter is a time when a lot of people start to feel miserable and depressed. The oversized tracksuits come out and the cold weather is a good excuse to sit around dong very little. It’s important to realise though that the old adage is true: feeling good is an integral part of looking good, and the converse is also true. A great way to cheer yourself up then, is by treating yourself. A facial or a manicure, or any of a range of luxurious self-indulgences makes for great start.

Try a New Restaurant

Let’s face it, no matter how health conscious we might be, there are few better ways to keep warm than to enjoy some good old fashioned comfort food. Use the chilly season to try out cosy restaurants you’ve been meaning to visit, indulge yourself with a slice of cake, or try and exotic new coffee to get the blood flowing. If you’re one of those people who prefer a liquid meal; there’s nowhere better (or warmer) to shake off your coat than in one of South Africa’s great party venues. Have a shot to warm you to the core, and pretend its summer for a while.

Find an Adrenalin Rush

There’s no time like the present and a little bit of cold shouldn’t put you off enjoying the outdoor sports. Indeed, some sports, like snowboarding are only possible in the cold. So get out that coat, and head into the great outdoors. For some people the cold is quite an attraction, so one alternative is to head to somewhere even colder, like the Drakensburg; revel in walks in the winter snow and afterwards, enjoy a glass of good South African wine next to a roaring hot fire. Alternatively you can migrate to a warmer climate on the KwaZulu Natal coast. Lounge on the beach, and brave the water if you dare.

Winter: A Great Time to Renovate

It doesn’t have to be all fun and games. Practical things are important too. Winter is the ideal time to do those things around the house that need doing. Because people entertain less in the chilly winter months, it’s a better time to make alterations and get things fixed, so that when the warmer weather comes around, everything is looking its bright and shiny best.

Have Some Family Fun

Finding things to keep the kids entertained in the colder weather can be a challenging task; particularly when school holidays come around. All it takes is a little thought to discover that there are loads of great indoor activities that everyone can enjoy together. Play a game of paintball, go to the Planetarium, enjoy some ten-pin bowling, take a child friendly art lesson or go to laser games.

Whatever you decide, winter does not necessitate misery and there are loads of things to do which might make it a season to be enjoyed rather than one to dread. If it all sounds a tad expensive you may be interested in finding out more about voucher based systems that offer you access to a huge range of freebies and discounts on the activities you’re interested in.

More About Amazing Vouchers

Amazing Vouchers is a voucher based system that ensures that for a nominal monthly fee, South Africans can have access to an enormous range of discounts and freebies from the huge number of Amazing Vouchers partners. These vouchers give individuals and families the opportunity to enjoy a great number of things that otherwise would cost a small fortune.

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