There is something unexpectedly comforting about discovering that escape does not have to be far. That relief, that exhale we’re all chasing, can exist just an hour outside the city. For me, it arrived at Riverside Sun, on the banks of the Vaal River, at a time when I needed it most.

Day two of no gym. An injury that had me limping and, more than anything, forced to slow down. Not by choice, but by circumstance and maybe that is what made this stay feel less like a trip and more like a reset.

The drive down to the Vaal is one of those gentle transitions you don’t quite notice happening. The city slowly disappears, replaced by open space, softer air, and a different pace of living. I slept through most of it, which somehow made arriving feel even more surreal.

We were welcomed with breakfast and then, just like that, the day opened up. No pressure. No urgency. Just time.

Time to sit by the river. Time to take in the view. Time to do absolutely nothing and feel no guilt about it.

The Vaal River moves differently. There is a calm to it that you feel before you even realise it. We leaned into that energy quickly, adding a few snacks into the mix and, of course, margaritas. Mine was non-negotiable. Somewhere between the first sip and the second, the city fully left my body.

Lunch followed, easy and satisfying, before we checked into our rooms. Spacious, comfortable, and most importantly, quiet. The kind of quiet that feels rare.

But the highlight of the afternoon came in the form of a hidden gem within the property, the wine cellar. Beautiful, intimate, and unexpectedly refined, it set the stage for a wine and chocolate pairing that felt indulgent in all the right ways. Local wines, thoughtful pairings and conversations that stretched effortlessly.

There is something about slowing down that sharpens your senses. You taste more. You notice more. You feel more present.

By the time we headed back to our rooms to get ready for dinner, the day had already done what it needed to do and yet, it wasn’t finished.

Golden hour introduced my favourite moment of the entire stay, a boat cruise along the river. Floating between Gauteng and the Free State, watching the sun set over the water, it felt cinematic without trying. The kind of experience that reminds you how much beauty exists in the simple things.

Dinner followed under soft lights and open skies, easy laughter, good food and that lingering sense that time had slowed down just enough and because the day still had one more offering, I ended it with a swim. Very necessary.

The next morning arrived gently. Breakfast, again, exactly what it needed to be and then, the final act, a massage by the river. The kind that makes you realise how much tension you’ve been carrying without noticing. It was grounding, restorative, and, in that moment, felt like the real reason I had come.

And just like that, it was time to leave.

There is always that feeling at the end of a good stay, the quiet wish that it lasted a little longer but maybe that is the point. To leave wanting more. To leave knowing you can come back.

For those still deciding how to spend Easter weekend, consider this your sign. You don’t need to travel far to feel far away. Sometimes, the perfect escape is closer than you think.