Those dreaming of Eisbein and beer, while longing for authentic Germanic hospitality, should know that there are plenty of German-esque places around South Africa!

German styled Accommodations:

1. Haus Holzapfel, Beaufort West, Western Cape

Enjoy some warm German hospitality at Haus Holzapfel, where you can ‘sprechen sie Deutsch’ to your heart’s content with your friendly hosts, Marion and Zwingli. The rooms on offer are modern and cosy, with bright colours and 100% cotton linen on German beds, while the spacious en-suite bathrooms offer showers and complimentary toiletries. The lush garden and swimming pool are the perfect place to unwind with a cocktail, after a day of exploration. Find out more.

2. Jorns Guest House, Nelspruit, Mpumalanga

Jorns Guest House is another great German Gastehuis option, and this one offers a whimsical tropical getaway to relax in, with Koi ponds to pass by as you explore the lush area. The individually decorated bedrooms offer outstanding elegance and comfort, with private entrances and spacious beds.  A special treat offered in some of the rooms is that the shower overlooks the African bush, with one-way glass.  Hosts Jörn and Margie offer traditional German dinners with a dash of South African flair by prior arrangement. Find out more.

3. Gasthof Kroondal, Kroondal, Rustenburg

Built by two German immigrants in 1889, converted to a guest house in 1993, restored to its former glory in 2009, and holding a 4-star TGCSA grading, a stay at the historic Gasthof Kroondal will certainly be a memorable one. With only a select few rooms on offer that have country décor, en-suite bathrooms with supplied toiletries, private entrances, and tea and coffee facilities, you’ll certainly not want for anything while here. Find out more.

Eat and drink at:

• Die Kneipe German Pub, located in Kensington, Johannesburg, provides a rip-roaring time for all, so stop in and enjoy the authentic atmosphere offered while eating an Eisbein, Pork Emmenthal, or a tasty Wurst-Käse Salat. As desserts go, an Alfelstrudel will set you right, topped with a decadent serving of cream or ice-cream. Book a table by calling 011-616-8760.

• Café Extrablatt is a little German gem, situated along main road Greenpoint, Cape Town. Here you will find plenty of class and international comforts from the marble tables to the leather benches, carefully selected by German owner, Guido Dierchke. Menu selections range from Schumli coffee and a hearty breakfast buffet with artisan breads and cheeses, to a wide variety of tapas in the evening. Book a table by calling 021-286-0460.

• Siggi’s German Restaurant & Pub, in Salt Rock, KwaZulu-Natal, offers a traditional Germanic experience. With international beers like Paulaner Kristall, Erdinger Hefe Weiss, Bitburger Pils, and Weizengold Hefe, you’re certain to feel right at home before choosing a main meal like Kassler Rippchen, Footlong Frankfurter, or Jaeger Schnitzel from their extensive menu. Book at table by calling: 032-525-7460.

• The Wurst Express, in Sedgefield, will make you fall in love with Germanic hotdogs all over again. Apart from a generous helping of German mustard, over Fleischer Meister (master butcher) approved wursts, the Wurst Express is still the only place in South Africa to enjoy a traditional German Currywurst! To taste this heavenly hotdog during the week, visit Slow Town liquors along main road, Sedgefield, as the Wurst Express food truck parks right next door to them, just off the N2. On Saturdays, you can usually catch them at the Sedgefield Island market.

Entertainment and Places of Interest:

• Although the German Country Club in Gauteng is for members only, guests are welcome to visit and tour the facilities on offer by appointment. Catch Happy Hour every Friday between 17:00 – 19:00, and if you’re visiting this area at the end of November 2013, stop in at the Christmas Market, open to all. There will be German crafts, hand-made toys, stollen (German fruit cake), and other items available.  Find out more.

• The Hänel Gallery in Cape Town has given many budding local artists a hand-up into the European art fair scene, due to its firm roots in Germany. You can view the work of local and international artists within it, such as Rolf König, Nigel Mullins, Andrew Putter, and others. Find out more.

• German-born musical protégé STIMMING will be playing at Club Truth in Johannesburg, for their 14^th birthday celebration, on 30 November 2013. This international artist will be bringing plenty of electronic beats to Jozi, so head on over if you’re in the mood to dance, and watch this phenomenal German performer live! Find out more.

• The little town of Lüneburg in KwaZulu-Natal, bordering Mpumalanga, was a Lutheran settlement created by German missionaries in 1854, and has the oldest German school in northern KZN. Its name means ‘place of the moon’ and you’ll definitely have plenty of exposure to nature’s glory while here, as the town is still quite rural and remote, with only two beautiful stone churches to be seen within the town, and activities such as horse riding offered by activity providers in the area. Find out more.

• If you travel outside of South Africa’s borders, and head to Windhoek, Namibia, you’ll find plenty of German speakers, Germanic Lutheran churches, memorials like the Reiterdenkmal, and restaurants that serve Germanic cuisines. Along with the feeling of being in Germany, there is a unique African flair present that makes this town so enticing to visit!

What German inspired places have you been to in South Africa?

Main image courtesy of momentcaptured1 (Flickr)