South Africa Winelands Experience
Fleewinter has the perfect week-long holiday for wine aficionados, the new self-drive South Africa Winelands Experience which can easily be combined with a beach stay in Cape Town or a safari.
Commencing in Cape Town, accommodation for the holiday is at a guest house located in a quiet street in the old town of Stellenbosch, just a short stroll from the local shops, restaurants and bars with a chance to relax and explore.
After breakfast on day three, there will be a half-day guided walking tour which will give you a chance to learn about the town’s history, gastronomy and wines. A traditional South African lunch is included and accompanied by some local wines.
The following morning after breakfast, you will be met by a tour guide for a full day out visiting wine farms, en route to Franschhoek for a cellar tour at Haute Cabriere (home of Pierre Jourdan) and a traditional French Sabrage (opening of a champagne bottle with a sword).
This will be followed by a 3 course lunch accompanied by wine. The afternoon will be spent visiting a further two more farms to sample yet more wines from the Stellenbosch region.
The following day is a free day to relax, go out and explore the sites or just relax at the guest house or soak up some sun by the pool.
Day 6 combines a mix of local hospitality & culture blended into a day including more wine tasting in the lesser known Idas Valley – a local community nestled under the Simonsig Mountains.
It will commence with a visit to the home of Sarah Carstens, a local lady who opens her home for any thirsty visitors – providing tea accompanied by some traditional homemade pastries whilst recounting stories about the history of the area before visiting the local barber who has as many stories of his own (including being the barber of some famous people) and then onto more wine farms for tastings.
Lunch will be enjoyed at the home of another local lady who also opens up her house and cooks the most delicious ‘home cooked’ meals – served with yet more regional wines. A final wine farm visit will ensue before returning to the guest house.
The final day of the itinerary provides a chance to take the road to the Helderberg region visiting Vergelegen estate for some wine tasting before being driven by your guide along the spectacular coastal road to Hermanus – one of the most famous whale-watching locations in South Africa if not the world – to enjoy sightings of the magnificent mammals.
A fish and chips lunch will be enjoyed in the fishing village of Kleinmond, accompanied by yet more wine, before heading to the Hemel & Aarde Valley for more imbibing before heading back to the guest house.
Day 8 is spent at leisure, either relaxing or exploring Cape Town before flying home the following day.
The holiday costs from £1695 pp which includes international flights, car hire, 7-nights’ B&B, all tours as detailed in the itinerary, 4 x lunches with wine, all wine tastings, and a driver/guide.
Visit fleewinter.com for more information.
