Clarens hosts 23 art galleries which is more than any other town in South Africa. Aspirant artists in the village are well located for the best tuition by eminent residents and well established artists. Successful art classes are regularly hosted and attended by people countrywide. One of the great pastimes when visiting the village of Clarens is strolling from one art gallery to another, buying art.

 

 

In addition to the Ash River rushing from the Khatse Dam to deliver pristine water to the Vaal, it affords exclusive, perennial and heart-stopping rafting experiences for adventurers visiting Clarens, ranging from rigorous outdoor adventures, to golf, fishing, riding, tennis, squash, hiking, birding, mountain biking, white water rafting, swimming in the waterfalls close by, joining a tour of the important prehistoric sites, visiting the battlefields, strolling through the village stopping to add to a collection of handmade knives forged by our knife maker, being treated in one of our day spas and listening to music performed by local musicians.

 

Star Gazing in Clarens

Star gazing is romantic. Star gazing is fun. And I can’t think of a better place to star gaze than Clarens. It’s worth putting on a few extra clothes to go out and look at the Southern Cross riding high above the horizon on these clear, crisp winter nights. Nearby are the very bright stars known as the Pointers.  To Sotho and Tswana cultures the Pointers and the two brightest stars of the Cross represent dithutlwa, the giraffes. You can also spot Venus (also known as the Morning or Evening Star and associated with all things romantic)  low in the west just after sunset, right alongside Mercury (the messenger of the Gods)  - another planet which features in many myths and legends. 

 

Crafty Clarens

Clarens can be beautiful in the winter when the snow falls, the ground is totally covered in white and you can be forgiven for thinking you're in a fairyland. In the warmer months there is plenty to do, Golden Gate is on the doorstep of Clarens so a hike in the mountains should surely be on the cards.

 

Many have visited Clarens and never left, like Chris Pefanis, who left the hustle and bustle of Johannesburg to enjoy a more tranquil lifestyle in Clarens. Chris now runs and owns The Highland Roastery in Clarens. 

 

His partner Sigal Zahavi, left behind a successful career as a computer programmer and loves the peaceful existence that is Clarens.

The town not only has great art, but various beautifully made crafts can be found here. Clarens the town brings out the creative in you and even if you're no 'crafty' yourself, you can definitely pick up some stunning items in this little jewel of a town nestled in the mountains.

 

Sigal an avid photographer took most of these beautiful pics of the town.