SHORT AND SWEET
This trip includes the world-famous wine estates of
Stellenbosch, Franschoek and Paarl with its classic scenery and beautiful
Cape-Dutch architecture. You will go on
a cellar tour built into a mountain and enjoy an exquisite wine tasting. There will be time for a cheese and wine
tasting in Paarl and a lovely outdoor picnic under the shade of oak trees as
well. There is plenty of time to relax
and an opportunity to visit some tourist destinations in the wildly recognized
Cape Town. Make a booking
ITINERARY
DAY 1 STELLENBOSCH (guest house - - -)
On arrival in Stellenbosch we will go on a guided walk in this historical town and get an idea of how life was for the pioneers of this spectacular little town. After lunch at one of the many restaurants we will have time for a cellar tour at the famous Bergkelder cellar.
The area is rightly famous for high quality dry white and red wines from noble grape varieties. Award-winning wines are produced at many historic estates in the area, some of which have homesteads dating back to the 17/18th centuries. We visit some of these farms to taste their wines.
DAY 2-3 STELLENBOSCH (guest house 2xB, L, -)
In the morning there is a visit to the oak-lined Stellenbosch, South Africa’s second oldest town, with a chance to explore the town’s beautiful examples of Cape Dutch architecture, its university, shops and galleries. After a leisurely breakfast we take a short drive to the town of Paarl which was founded in 1717.
Here we will enter the Paarl rock reserve and take a 45 min walk on these imposing rock formations, they are the second largest granite domes in the world. We also visit the Afrikaans language museum on the southern slopes of the Paarl mountain range. Afrikaans is one of the 11 official languages and is the dominant language in the Cape.
In these two days we will visit Lanzerac Estate, dating back to 1692, is one of the finest Cape Dutch estates in the region. Vergelegen Wine Estate is one of the most beautiful wine estates in the world, we will have lunch and time to walk around on this enchanting and historical estate.
We shall also do tastings and a visit to Neethlingshof estate as well as
DAY 4 FRANSCHOEK (guest house B - -)
Franschoek valley wine region was settled over 300-years ago by the French Huguenots. Set against the backdrop of the Franschoek and Drakenstein mountains, this quaint village has over 30 wine farms: Akkerdal Estate, Allee Bleue Farms, Bellingham, Boekenhoutskloof, Boschendal Cabriere, Chamonix, Dieu Donne, Eikehof, Franschoek Pass Winery, just to mention a few.
Dieu Donne is situated high on the steep south-west facing slopes of the Franschoek Mountains, encouraging a cool climate and combined with the rocky soils of weathered granite, a unique terrior has been created. In one of the popular cellars, Stephan du Toit, a Cape wine master, takes advantage of the distinct Dieu Donne terrior, making wines unique to this corner of the valley. Visit the tasting facility adjacent to the restaurant or just enjoy a glass of wine on the upper terrace while soaking in the scenery.
DAY 5 HERMANUS (guest house B - -)
Hermanus, the world’s foremost land based whale watching destination, is a thriving holiday resort offering residents and holiday makers all modern amenities, yet retaining its fisherman’s village charm. The popular resort town of Hermanus, situated between mountain and sea, has gained a world-wide recognition as the world’s foremost land based whale watching destination. This has resulted in the former fishing village showing a tremendous growth over the last few years.
After lunch we will have time to explore the coastal path which stretches 12km for unlimited opportunities to study these gentle, wonderful giants (in season Oct-Nov).
DAY 6-7 CAPE TOWN (lodge B - -)
After a leisurely morning taking in views of walker bay and the surrounding mountains of Farenkloof Nature Reserve with its impressive views over Hermanus and its bay we leave for Cape Town. Along the amazing R44 that stretches between Hermanus and Cape Town we will have plenty of time for photo stops and sampling the local fare (own expense).
We will visit the Cape Peninsular with its nature reserves on day 7. The first stop will be in the fishing harbor of Hout Bay where we take in the sites and sounds of the ships entering and leaving the harbor. We then cross over Chapmans Peak (if open) to Cape Point nature reserve where we visit the south-western most point of the African continent. We will also visit Boulders Beach with its protected penguin colony and a brief stop in Simonstown, South Africa’s naval harbor, named after Simon Van Der Stell.
DAY 8-9 CAPE TOWN (lodge B - -)
After breakfast a visit to the famous Table Mountain and cable car (own expense) taking in the breathtaking, panoramic views of Robben Island, the city of Cape Town, Cape flats, Lions Head, Signal Hill, the vast Atlantic Ocean and the Cape Peninsular with its beautiful beaches. In the afternoon we visit the famous Kirstenbosch gardens and have time to take in some of this unique fauna and flora that the garden route has to offer in one of the worlds most beautiful botanical gardens.
On our return in the afternoon there shall be time to visit the famous Contstantia and sample some wine before returning to our lodge to get ready to go for dinner at the famous V&A Waterfront (own expense). “Every stranger who arrives at the Cape…makes a point of visiting the Village of Constantia and those famous wine plantations; for these with the Table Mountain are looked upon as the great and first objects of curiosity at the Cape” (Robert Percival, English officer arriving in the Cape in 1796)
DAY 10 CAPE TOWN (B - -)
After a leisurely breakfast we have the day free to do some curio shopping or take in the sites and sounds of Cape Town. Feeling well rested and ready to return home after a fantastic wine and cape experience, we transfer to the airport for your flight home.
TOUR INFORMATION
PRICE on request, it includes all transfers!!!
This tour can also be customized to suit your needs e.g. 4WD, extra or fewer days and also to include camping.
Includes:
- Transport in a mini van
- Professional guide - driver
- Park entrances
- Driver and cook.
- All meals per itinerary (B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner)
- Fully accommodated
Accommodation
- Guest house/chalets: 9 nights, most rooms are twin with en-suite but sometimes rooms share bathroom facilities.
Food
- We have three balanced meals per day, the main meal is dinner - braai (charcoal/wood barbeque), potjie (stew) or stir fry. Lunch – sandwiches with salad. Breakfast – cereals, toast, tea/coffee/fruit juices and sometimes an English (fried) breakfast.
- When buying ingredients, the tour leader insists on obtaining fresh produce from the local shops.
- The use of melamine camping plates, cups and cutlery will be provided.
- Meals are included except where stated in the itinerary (B- Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner). When the meals are not included we will eat at restaurants (own expense).
- If requested, the tour leader can arrange for special dietary requirements such as vegetarian, allergies, etc.
- Beverages which are not included in the meals as stated will be at your own expense. We don’t supply bottled drinking water although it is available at most shops.
Things you should know
- Anyone who is in good health should enjoy this trip.
- You will need a valid passport (for at least 6 month) for entry into South Africa and surrounding countries.
- Please pack a limit of 15kgs of luggage in a soft sports tog bag.
- Sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, small pair of binoculars and comfortable shoes are highly recommended.
- To avoid disappointment bring a good camera with enough film or memory. We often have electricity (220/230 V) for recharging and also stop for the basics along the way, i.e. batteries.
- The will be opportunities to shop for crafts, carvings, batiks and paintings. If you see something you like, it is best to buy it because it is unlikely that you will see something similar further along. Curios and crafts change from area to area.
- We recommend that you bring extra money for restaurant meals, extra refreshments and curios shopping as some vendors do not have credit card facilities.
- With local conditions being different, road detours and weather, the trip may alter route or schedule – in this case please note that we will make every effort to stick to the itinerary as best we can.
- There will be a guide/camp assistant at all times, but a helping hand is always welcome. Many hands make lighter work!!
- Don’t forget your humour and a spirit for adventure!!!
- Feel free to contact us for any queries.
