Have you ever dreamt of living a different life? 

Perhaps, just like me, you have always dreamt of living a different life in some exotic location. 

Well, Tuscany is a dream place, with dream people, dream food and dream music - and even though I have only experienced it in my mind, it is more than a mere dream I have.

I hear a church bell in the distance. I smell wood-fired pizza. I see the busy piazza filled with people and birds - pecking at every crumb which falls from the small coffee tables. 

An old lady shoos away a bunch of naughty children, all giggling and running around, chasing each other from fountain to fountain. There is an unexplained peace as the sun shines down on the cracked walls of the old buildings. 

My Tuscany exists! Does yours? 

Deep in the leafy suburb of Rosebank in Cape Town, such an idealistic and peaceful place exists. It is a small boutique hotel, rich with history called Medindi Manor. This to me is very much like my own Tuscany. My own little Italian dream. 

It is peaceful and quiet. Oh, but do not get me wrong - at times during every day it is buzzing with life and guests who visit it from all over the world. 

But there is some kind of tranquillity that surrounds it. And I figured out what the magic, the secret behind this natural habitat, this ashram of white-washed stillness and peace, is. 

Happiness. 

Two months into the job here at Medindi Manor and I have found happiness. It's the staff and the type of guests who visit us which makes all the difference. 

And with time I am learning more about the rich history of Medindi Manor and the small pieces of happiness which the staff and owners all hold in the depths of their hearts.

Unique - every staff member here is unique and as a team I find that we create our own Utopia.

Mamalema is a family man, and connects with every child who stays with us. Jeanine is a real mother hen – busy, busy, busy. Betty from the Congo, is a fighter, she has been through so much in her native land and still stands strong. Ziyanda and Kedibone are our two sweethearts who never complain and do everything diligently. Blessings carries his name well, as he is a blessing to Medindi Manor and Kudzi is our earlybird who loves spending time cultivating plants and helping Kyle (a top gardener of note) plant and replant the most beautiful things. Lynda is the Queen Bee and has a heart of gold. 

This is our Utopia, MY Italy, and OUR family. 

We only want our family to grow bigger - so why not come and visit us soon? 

Stella.