Southern Africa Tour 2018South Africa: Cape Town and Cape Wineland

BEST of CAPE TOWN

Late Morning: Arrival at Cape Town, and conveyed from the airport to our accommodation under the dramatic mountain scenery of Constantia. During a stay in Cape Town we will take advantage of the myriad attractions of this beautiful city, as well as enjoying its many excellent restaurants (with some occasional invited South African guests to provide insights).

We will participate in some of the BEST of CAPE TOWN :

• The National Botanical Gardens at Kirstenbosch, perhaps attending a concert in the gardens
• A walking tour of the City Centre, visiting the “Company Gardens” (the Dutch East India Company, that is), and a series of museums that cover the history of the city and South Africa, e.g. the South African Museum, The Slave Lodge, and the Gold Museum, the District Six Museum,
• A chic and retro-romance Mediterranean Lunch at The Grand Café and Beach, at Granger Bay
• A boat ride around Table Bay with an afternoon of strolling and Shopping at the Waterfront area
• A ride on the rotating Cable Car up to the top of Table Mountain, with the opportunity of bungee jumping!
• A visit down the Cape Peninsular to the spectacular Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope, named by Vasco de Gama in 1497
• A dinner at the renowned “La Colombe” restaurant on the steep slopes above Constantia
• An invigorating hike up “Lions Head”, or even to the top of Table Mountain
• Visits, tastings, and/or meals at some of the oldest and most beautiful wineries in the Cape
• Visits to Penguin and Seal Colonies on and offshore the Peninsular
• A cricket match at the famous Newlands Cricket ground !
• Vibrant Theatre or Cabaret in the city
• A visit to the dedicated efforts of NGO’s in local townships
• Visit to renowned Contemporary Art Galleries, including Everard Reed, the Goodman, as well as the unique collection of Irma Stern’s paintings in her home near the University of Cape Town
• A day visit to the beach resort for well-healed Capetonians at Hermanus, as well as the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, notable for producing the best Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs in South Africa; we will visit the Hamilton Russell and Bouchard Finlayson, two of the best of the best

BEST of the WINELANDS

The Cape Winelands is one of the loveliest places on earth. Dramatic mountains, Mediterranean vegetation and climate, the unique “Cape Dutch” architecture, great restaurants, and flourishing fruit farms and vintage vineyards make for an unforgettable experience. This is a feast for the eyes as much as an oenophilic and gastronomique experience.

We will enjoy some of the BEST of the WINELANDS :

• A Visit to the Vergelegen Estate and Winery, near Somerset West; created in 1700, this fine property, with its old Manor House, 300 year old camphor trees, lovely gardens, and excellent winery is owned by the Anglo American Corporation
• Strolling and shopping in the wine and food town of Franschhoek, including visiting the Huguenot Memorial & Museum to the French pioneers who brought their energy and wine-making skills to where they could enjoy religious freedom
• A guided visit to the amazing gardens of the Babylonstoren Estate, a working farm with 3.5 hectares of cultivated fruit and vegetables, as well as its 1692 beautifully restored Cape Dutch buildings and incredible wine cellar
• A Winetasting at the Le Leeu Estate, owned by Analjit Singh, to taste its Mullineux Wines among its beautifully-renovated buildings and glorious gardens
• A Winetasting at the Rupert Antonij Winery, owned by South Africa’s Rupert Family
• A Winetasting and Lunch at the Orangerie at Le Lude Vineyard, specialists in sparkling wines
• A Winetasting and Lunch at Grande Provence (1694), an icon of the Franschhoek wine industry owned by the owner of the most celebrated Relais et Château in New Zealand, the Huku Lodge
• A Dinner at Richard Branson’s Hotel – Mont Rochelle – with its superb sunset view of the Franschhoek Valley
• A hike in the Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve, with stunning views over the Franschhoek Valley
• A Dinner at the Delaire Graff Estate, owned by the Graff Family Jewellers, with its “degustation-inducing” views over the vineyards
• A visit to the historic town of Stellenbosch, with its gracious streets and public buildings, and bustling University, with an exceptional experience of a visit to the Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden; Dylan Lewis is a South African artist who has emerged as one of the foremost figures in contemporary sculpture; lunch at Ernie Els’ restaurant in the town
• A Picnic on the lawns of the Boschendal Estate, created in 1795, and once owned by Cecil Rhodes, and later by the Anglo American Corporation