Franschhoek, meaning French Corner, was founded in 1688 by the Huguenots; French Calvinist protestants who fled prosecution in France for their religious convictions. 200 of the highly skilled and experienced French settlers found a new home in the Cape towards the end of the 17th century. The Huguenots went into agriculture and introduced wine production in South Africa. The Huguenot Monument in Franschhoek is a reminder of these immigrants. Many places and families in this area keep their original French names.
An hour's drive northeast of Cape Town is some of the most sublime countryside to be found anywhere in the world - a land of high mountains and green valleys, of vineyards and scented orchards, heavy with a mellow fruitfulness. Historic towns and villages, and gracious homesteads that represent the very best in Cape Dutch architecture, are also to be found here in this region known as the Cape Winelands, an area that produces wines as notable as its scenic beauty.
These were the first rural areas to be taken over by the early white colonists of South Africa, who turned the land over to pasture, the growing of wheat and increasingly, the cultivation of wine grapes. As the farms prospered, the colony expanded and a number of small towns were founded: Stellenbosch in 1679, Franschhoek 11 years later, followed by Paarl, Wellington and Tulbagh, all worth visiting for their history, beauty and award winning wine estates.
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Best of the Eastern and Western Cape, South Africa
12 nights featuring the best the Western and Eastern Cape of South Africa has to offer - priced from £1240.00 per person sharing Mpumalanga, the Southern Cape, the Garden Route and Cape Town - all in one!
Scheduled Escorted Grand Tour of South Africa
Highlights include: Kruger National Park safari, Multi-cultural experiences, Garden Route, Cape Town, Table Mountain. Costs from £1855.00 per person sharing (Land arrangements only - excludes all international and internal flights)
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Cape Winelands
Accommodation
Luxury
Hotels
Mont Rochelle Mont Rochelle (previously La Couronne Hotel) is situated on the slopes of the Franschhoek Mountains, overlooking the village of Franschhoek. The views from the hotel are breathtaking.>>
Lanzerac Hotel & Spa The Lanzerac Hotel & Spa wasestablished over 300 years ago, today the estate is renowned for superb
luxury, first class service, the finest wine and cuisine, superior
pamper and wellness, thereby earning it a coveted place amongst the
most prestigious luxury hotels in the world.>>
River Manor Boutique Hotel and Spa Situated across the banks of the Eerste River, in the historic oak-lined 'Avenue', a mere 2-minute stroll to the village centre with its numerous museums, galleries and restaurants and only 25 km from Cape Town International Airport.>>
Quality
Hotels
Franschhoek Country House & Villas Set in the picturesque wine-producing valley of Franschhoek in the Western Cape, Franschhoek Country House & Villas is a luxury boutique hotel that offers comfort and indulgence to discerning travellers.>>
Bartholomeus Klip Just over an hour away from Cape Town, Bartholomeus Klip Farmhouse is uniquely - and spectacularly - situated on one of the largest farms in the Western Cape. >>
Spier In the heart of the Stellenbosch Winelands, the Village Hotel at Spier has marked a new era in luxury. The emphasis is on maintaing the ecological integrity of the area and, where possible, natural materials are resources were used.>>
Value
Hotels
There are currently no accommodation options rated VALUE
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about Cape Winelands
South Africa's second oldest town, Stellenbosch, lies in the Eerste River Valley beneath the Papegaaiberg. The town is built on history, evident in its architecture, much of which can be seen along the oak-lined Dorp Street and in the Village Museum complex. Stellenbosch University is a leading centre of learning and the town is also the starting point of a major wine route that includes more than 20 wine estates within a 12km radius, with the Lanzerac Manor & Winery to be highly recommended. During summer the Oude Libertas Amphitheatre provides a stunning setting for open-air music, opera and drama preceded by a picnic on the estate's lawns.
Other points of interest include Oom Samie se Winkel, a charming general dealer from a bygone era, the Van Ryn Brandy Cellar and the cellars of the Bergkelder, which have been carved out of the hillside.
The picturesque Spier Estate offers visitors a choice of restaurants, gourmet picnics around the lake, an equestrian centre, a cheetah outreach centre, summer concerts in the open-air amphitheatre and displays of falconry at the on-site Eagle Encounters, along with wine tastings too.
Moyo at Spier is an unforgettable outdoor dining experience that captures the essence of our unique Cape African culture. A fusion of modern sophisticated décor and distinctly African flavoured dishes create an inspiring culinary affair. Relax and enjoy the spectacular vistas while you are treated to a colourful brand of Cape African hospitality. Serving an extensive buffet rich and exciting as the many diverse cultures we draw from.
The tree-lined garden is filled with Bedouin tents and gazebos made from wrought iron and the tree houses are clad with beautiful hand crafted copper water features. Live performers will entertain you to indigenous theatre, dance, opera and traditional storytelling from noon until late. Young visitors (under 12) are also welcome as we offer exciting programmes on ecology, drumming workshops, African storytelling and so much more. This estate can be reached aboard the Spier Vintage Steam Train.
From Stellenbosch, the small town of Franschhoek is reached via the scenically splendid Helshoogte Pass. Founded in 1688 on land granted to the French Huguenot refugees who had escaped religious persecution in Europe, Franschhoek is best known for its first-class restaurants. These include Le Quartier Francais, whose chef Margot Janse, is South Africa's top chef for 2003, as well as old favourite, La Petite Ferme, which offers great food accompanied by sweeping views over the valley below.
Founded in 1720, Paarl, the largest of all the winelands' towns, was named after the granite rock that resembles a giant pearl on the overlooking mountain. The mountain and surrounding area have been proclaimed a nature reserve and the circular route to the top offers the visitor panoramic views of the valley below. Heading back down towards the town, the Afrikaans Language Monument or Taalmonument, makes for an interesting stop.
Other features of the area include the KWV complex - one of the world's largest wine companies, and the wine estates Fairview, which makes a variety of cheeses on-site, and Nederburg, South Africa?s best-known wine estate and host of the annual Nederburg Wine Auction, one of the highlights of the South African social calendar.
Over and above the award winning wine estates, restaurants and great scenic beauty of this area, there are also lovely hiking trails through the vineyards, fly-fishing, gentle ambles and fine golf courses to be enjoyed.
More active visitors could opt to explore this region on horse back or mountain bike, or even in a hot-air balloon. Helicopter flips, aerobatic flights and tandem paragliding can also be arranged.
CAPE SIDECAR TOURSFull day Private / group Have your breath taken away in a World War II vintage 750cc sidecar. Enjoy the unique experience of cruising around the Western Cape on a classic sidecar motorbike - catering for both self-drive and chauffeured drive options.
Options: - Self-drive rental option from half to multi-day (must have a valid big bike license) - Chauffeur drive half or full day
Recommended Drives: - Cape Peninsula round trip to Cape Point - Cape winelands including four scenic mountain passes - Whale watching trips to Hermanus - Wild flower viewing trips along the West Coast
CHAMPAGNE CRAZY TOURSaturdays only Private / group (other days can be planned subject to the availability of the winemaker) Travel to one of the original estates granted to the French Huguenots for a memorable champagne cellar tour given by the eccentric globe-trotting owner and winemaker Achim von Arnim. Achim's passion for his region, his farm and his champagne are infectious. You will not escape without experiencing the whole fountain of house "bubblies". Every Saturday Achim calls for volunteers to assist him with sabrage - the champers bottles are elaborately opened with a sabre! After the tour enjoy a leisurely lunch followed by a winelands meander.
CHEESE, WINE & CHOCOLATE TOUR Private / group max 50 Enjoy a day that celebrates the culinary delights of the Cape's oldest wine region.
Highlights: - Cheese tasting at two estates that produce delicious premium cheeses - Chocolate tasting at a specialist shop in Franschhoek - Wine tasting at some of the Cape's top wine estates - A relaxed lunch at a top winelands restaurant - A scenic meander through the picturesque wine regions of the Cape
Note that for large groups the chocolate tasting will be changed to a brandy and chocolate tasting.
WINELANDS COUNTRYSIDE TOURFull day Scheduled / private / group Visit the Cape Winelands with its backdrop of majestic mountains, lush valleys, quaint villages and scenic vineyards.
Highlights: - Stellenbosch, tree lined streets, historical architecture, alfresco cafés and good shopping - Franschhoek Valley with its endless mountain vistas - Paarl - "the pearl of the Cape" - home to the Afrikaans language - Cape Dutch architecture - visit the acclaimed Boschendal Manor House Wine tasting on some of the finest Cape Wine Estates - Cellar tour
Add-on options for private tours: Horse riding in the vineyards, hot air ballooning, helicopter transfer to the winelands, long leisurely lunch at one of the Cape's top restaurants, pamper yourself with a spa visit.
Architecture SA has a richly varied architectural heritage, to which all the cultural groups in the history of the country have contributed: simple shelters made from branches and grass used by the Khoisan; the different types of mud and grass huts of rural African people; the plain dwellings of early cattle-farming pioneers later followed by thatched roof structures with white washed...
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Day 01 On arrival at Cape Town International Airport, collect your rental car from AVIS and proceed along the N2 highway to your hotel conveniently located adjacent to the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. The Commodore offers stylish accommodation, state-of-the-art conference facilities, attention to detail and service excellence in a peaceful and...
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SOUTHERN AFRICA TRAVEL The Oak Suite, Guardian House,
Borough Road, Godalming, Surrey, GU7 2AE Tel: 01483 425533 Fax: 01483 860391 The air holiday packages on this website are ATOL protected
by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is 4795. Please see our booking
conditions for more information. Click on the ATOL logo above for more information.
Many thanks and credit to the following
photographers whose images have been used in this site: Michael Poliza, Colin
Bell, Dana Allen, David Ross, Nick Melidonas and Wilderness Safaris.
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CAPE SIDECAR TOURS
Full day
CHAMPAGNE CRAZY TOUR
Saturdays only
CHEESE, WINE & CHOCOLATE TOUR
WINELANDS COUNTRYSIDE TOUR
Full day
