You
will marvel at the Cape-Dutch architecture of the historical
Groot Constantia homestead, before sampling the wines of Klein
Constantia and Buitenverwachting. Lunch at La Colombe, rated
SA's premier restaurant, while sipping the glorious wines
of Constantia Uitsig. Drive via the newest in a list of truly
world-class wine-estates, Steenberg, up to Silvermine Forest
to savour the view across False Bay before returning to the
Cellars-Hohenort.
DAY THREE
After a scrumptious breakfast, be prepared
to be exposed to the Paarl Wineroute as we drive via the famous
Bloubergstrand with its unforgettable view of majestic Table
Mountain, through the Durbanville Wineroute, pausing for an
aperitif at Allesverloren or Nitida, to the Grande Roche Hotel,
regarded by many as SA's truly great hotel. The newly opened
KWV Cellars are a must-see, as is the breathtakingly beautiful
homestead of Nederburg, where you will sample wines from SA's
internationally most renowned estate. After climbing up to
the Paarl Monument, from where you overlook the entire Cape
Peninsula, you return to savour the discreet luxury of the
Grand Roche, before dining at its five-star restaurant, Bosmans.
DAY FOUR
This is a true heavy-weight wine tasting
day, so be sure to have a substantial breakfast in the gardens
of Grand Roche. We will start with Glen Callow Vineyards,
then go to Baksberg Estate and then have some of Fairview's
famous goat cheese with their Chardonnay before driving through
the beautiful countryside to Rhebokskloof for a light lunch.
Return to the Grand Roche for a well-deserved rest and a second-time
round tastes even better dinner at Bosmans.
DAY FIVE
It's time to lookup the French and what contribution
they made to South Africa's wine industry. This will take
us back to the post-30-year war in Europe when the French
Huegenots were forced out of their homeland and fled to Holland
and from there some were brought by the Dutch-East India Company
to their new settlement and supply station at the Cape of
Good Hope around the 1660s. They were settled in the most
fertile and gloriously beautiful valley called Franschhoek
(the French corner), surrounded by quite intimidating mountains
like Great Drakenstein.
Before visiting the museum which tells the
story of the early French settlers, we will visit some of
the historical wine estates like L'Ormarins and La Provence,
and then enjoy our lunch at the perennial favourite local
inn, Le Quartier Francais (5-star). After driving-up to the
creat of the Franschhoek pass, we will proceed to our boutique
hotel, Le Petit Ferme or La Couronne, situated above the valley,
with glorious views of vineyards and mountains. A quiet dinner
at he exquisite restaurant of the hotel.
DAY SIX
Can things can get any better? Well, actually
yes, because we will now visit what everyone calls South Africa's
most original, most authentic and most beautiful town, Stellenbosch.
En route from Franschhoek, however, we will have tea (or wine,
of course) at the spectacular homestead of Boschendal and
a wine-tasting at Thelema Vineyards. The little town of Stellenbosch
is best discovered on foot, so we will allow you some time
to explore its oak-lined streets and to marvel at the Cape-Dutch
and Cape-Georgian architectural styles, clearly reflecting
the influences of the two major colonial powers in our history,
Holland and Great Britain. The Stellenbosch Museum is an absolute
must-see, as is the central square, Die Braak. After an afternoon
visit to the world-renowned Bergkelder, you will be delighted
to go and stay at the Lanzerac Hotel, beautifully restored
by its new owner, Christo Wiese, and situated in the midst
of vineyards which epitomize what this region has become known
for - its wines. But wine-making always brings with it a essential
by-product which is a cultured life style. In the magnificently
furnished public rooms of the Lanzerac, and the sophisticated
elegance of its suites, you will be able to relax and enjoy
your final two nights.
DAY SEVEN
As it says in the Bible, the seventh day
is a day of rest. Today you just relax and enjoy the pleasures
of Lanzerac. We will arrange a lunch and/or dinner visit to
one of the many excellent taverns or restaurants in the area,
like L'Auberge du Paysan for dinner or L'Auberge Rozendal
or Die Ou Pastorie in Somerset West for lunch. But you will
most likely wish to take a full day to take it easy before
the end of your south african winelands tour. On the next
morning, en route to the airport or your next destination,
we would drive the famous Route R44 to Somerset West and visit
one of the very oldest and most impressively beautiful estates,
Vergelegen. With the taste of their wines in your mouth, the
smell of their extensive herb garden in your nostrils and
the view from the hills across the expanse of False Bay towards
Table Mountain in your eyes, your mind will simply tell you
: this must be the most memorable trip I have ever done in
my life!
ALL OF US AT VIP & EXECUTIVE TOURS CERTAINLY HOPE THIS
IS SO!
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