Why Our Teens Still Talk About Our Trip to Petervale Guest Farm

Two years ago, we took a family trip to Petervale Guest Farm in Ceres that my teens still talk about today, and trust me, that is saying something.

It was actually our wedding anniversary, but instead of a romantic weekend for just Steve and me, we decided to make it a family trip. We realised a long time ago that we enjoy our time away more when we take the kids with us. I know not everyone will agree, but for us, it works.

We are not the type of family that wants to pack millions of activities into a holiday and come home more tired than when we left. We prefer trips where we can slow down, relax, and reconnect as a family. Petervale was the perfect spot for that.

Petervale Guest Farm is a working farm about 140 km outside Cape Town. It offers self-catering cottages and a camping ground. We stayed in a lovely cottage, and, since we visited in the middle of winter, we ended up having the whole place to ourselves. Yes, it was cold and wet, but that just made the fireplace even more inviting.

What We Loved Most
Father–Son Hike
James and Steve went on a hike to a nearby waterfall. It was such a good bonding experience for the two of them and they both thoroughly enjoyed it.

Feeding the Animals
Connor’s favorite part of the trip was feeding the farm animals every morning. He even got to milk a cow. At first, he was unsure, but by the end he was laughing and said it was one of the highlights of the weekend.

Cozy Evenings
The fireplace in our cottage made it feel so warm and welcoming. Both evenings we sat in front of it, played board games, and talked about anything and everything.

No Wi-Fi
This might sound like a nightmare for some families, but for us it was a blessing. Everyone put their phones down and was present. It gave us a chance to really connect.

5 Tips to Make Your Next Family Trip Stress-Free

1. Keep It Simple
We enjoy just being together, so we avoid overscheduling. We choose one or two activities and then let the rest of the day flow naturally.

2. Plan for Downtime
Holidays are our time to rest and reset. We work hard during the week, so our trips are about disconnecting from screens and slowing down. I know in a few years the boys will be grown up and family holidays will be rare, so I enjoy every chance we have to be together.

3. Get the Kids Involved
Although I do the research, we always make the final decision about where to stay and what to do as a family. When everyone has a say, we are all more invested and excited about the trip.

4. Pack Smart (but Light)
We usually do self-catering, so we take everything we need with us and try to pack as light as possible so it all fits in the car. Our basic packing list includes:
Clothes
Board games (non-negotiable)
Towels and toiletries
Cell phones and chargers (we take a lot of photos)
Food staples
Plenty of snacks

5. Build in a Treat
Every trip, we stop somewhere fun for lunch on the way, even if it is a short drive. It makes the trip feel special and sets the tone for holiday mode. And of course, we stock up on snacks for the drive and the stay. In my opinion, calories do not count on holiday.

Final Thoughts
This trip reminded me that family holidays do not have to be complicated or expensive to be meaningful. With a little planning (and a lot of snacks), you can create memories your teens will still be talking about years later.