No one should visit Cape Town without spending time in the adjacent Winelands, which are less than an hour’s drive away. The landscape is glorious and the food and wine are world-class.
This itinerary takes you through the unspoiled town of Franschhoek, founded in 1688 by Huguenot refugees, and other picturesque towns such as Paarl and Stellenbosch. You will spend a week tasting spectacular wines, enjoying picnic lunches among the vines and touring some of South Africa's finest museums.
Our itineraries are for your inspiration. Please contact a travel advisor to customize this itinerary to fit your needs.
After a safari in South Africa and/or Botswana, check in at your hotel, One&Only Cape Town.
In the morning, head into one of Cape Town’s oldest and most colorful quarters to cook fragrant Cape Malay cuisine in the home of a local family.
Learn about the fascinating history of the Cape Malay people and their rich culinary heritage while preparing and eating a delicious traditional meal.
Take the afternoon at leisure to explore Cape Town on your own or relax at your hotel.
Transfer a short distance by private car into the chief wine-producing area of the Cape, centered on the picturesque towns of Paarl, Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. Mr. Harper describes this area as “among the most beautiful winelands in the world, backed by jagged mountains and, from November to March, reliably bathed in sunshine.”
En route to your wine country resort, stop at the Glen Carlou Estate, home to the world’s largest privately owned contemporary art collection. This estate, affiliated with the Hess Collection, also produces an array of excellent award-winning wines available for tasting.
Spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing at your resort, the Grande Provence Heritage Wine Estate.
We recommend beginning your first full day in the Winelands with a walking tour in French-flavored Franschhoek, a historic wine town and an ideal spot for lunch.
The impressive La Motte winery, owned by mezzo-soprano Hanneli Rupert-Koegelenberg, has a Harper-recommended restaurant, Pierneef à La Motte, that celebrates Winelands ingredients.
In the afternoon, visit two or three nearby wineries for tastings. You can of course customize your itinerary, but if you need some ideas, we recommend considering fine wineries near Franschhoek such as Boekenhoutskloof, Graham Beck, Bellingham and L’Ormarins (home to a notable classic auto museum).
Start exploring the area around Stellenbosch today with a half-day Winelands “safari” experience. Head into the vineyards of Waterford Estate in an open Land Rover.
As you traverse the scenic slopes of Helderberg Mountain, learn first-hand about the terroir and taste some wines among the vines.
After a relaxing picnic lunch, taste wines in some of the top Stellenbosch estates. Again, we can arrange visits of whichever wineries you like; some of the most renowned are Vergelegen, Morgenhof, Rustenberg and Meerlust.
Take this day at your leisure to keep exploring the Cape Winelands. We can arrange all sorts of activities in the area. You might like to bicycle with a guide from vineyard to vineyard, or perhaps meet with a local winemaker to try your hand at blending your own wine.
Alternatively, visit the elegant Rupert Museum showcasing South African art created between 1940 and 1970, or take a gentle hike in the Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve, situated in part of a UNESCO-declared biosphere reserve with glorious views of Franschhoek.
Or head up to Paarl, home to numerous notable wineries, such as Fairview, Backsberg and Avondale.
After one more leisurely breakfast, make the short transfer back to Cape Town and the airport.
Contact a travel advisor to book your custom itinerary. Fill out the form or call (630) 734-4610.
Andrew Harper members have access to full travel-planning services through Andrew Harper Travel.
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