The city of Bloemfontein is considered to be the Cinderella city of South Africa. It is located between Cape Town and Johannesburg and is the closest city to the kingdom of Lesotho. It is a small city where there are not many attractions; there is no ocean close by and no mountains on which to hike, but it also boasts no traffic and none of the urban complexities. Hence, if you are in need of a vacation that will be simply relaxing; a get away from the hustle and bustle, then this city will be perfect for you.
Bloemfontein means spring of flowers, the name alone brings a level of calmness and piece to your day. When there you will be sure to see the name played out everywhere, the city is planted with a lot of rose bushes, which makes for a spectacularly multihued pavement exhibit. There is also a small nature reserve, smack in the middle of the city. They also have an “Orchid House” which is just what its name suggests as well as the “Free State Botanical Gardens.” The latter is suitable for sightseeing walks, they also have a restaurant as well as a bird hide and an environmental education center and a plant nursery for indigenous plants among other areas that will be more of a learning experience than an attraction.
The accommodation here in Bloemfontein will mainly be guesthouses and bed and breakfasts, with many that are self-catering. They are usually very small, as small as two rooms and thus you will never have the feel of being in a hotel. You will have a nice homey feeling especially if you stay at a self-catering one where you are the only guest.
You can also find restaurants and pubs around the city; you can find music venues that will play lively but good and clean music. There is minimal shopping by you will be able to get souvenirs to take back home with you. The best of which may just be pictures of all the beautiful plants that you may have seen.
You may not choose the city of Bloemfontein as a destination spot, as well as you may. For most persons it is just a pause on their journey to somewhere else. But if you are in search of a vacation that is filled and guided by and with nature, here is a good place to start. If you don’t want a vacation and just want a place to relax and get away from it all, a place that will feel like home away from home, this is also a good place to stay.
With the guesthouses and bed and breakfasts that provide self-catering you will feel like you move to a quiet and beautiful paradise. If you are just passing through you can also find comfort and solace in what this city has to offer, you can bond with nature at the Free State Botanical Gardens and take some pictures to take back home with you as a reminder of the city’s beauty.
