African Journey Month | Visiting the Cape Winelands

Quick Read!

Visiting Cape Town, South Africa? Then don't miss a couple of days in the stunning Cape Winelands, home of South Africa's award-winning wines. South African wine has a history dating back to 1659 with the first bottle being produced in 1659 by its founder and governor, Jan van Riebeeck.

The region’s three main towns — Franschhoek, Stellenbosch and Paarl — form a triangle that you can easily visit all in one trip. Our South Africa specialists have tour and lived in the region so many times, and can give you tips on what to see and do, creating a Winelands itinerary that suits your interests. It is a great add-on to a holiday in the City of Cape Town.

Stellenbosch is an absolutely must on any itinerary and a perfect starting point if you are limited on time. Its leafy, oak-lined streets are home to many fine examples of gabled Cape Dutch architecture. It’s South Africa’s second-oldest European settlement, established in 1679 by Dutch Governor Simon van der Stel. You can soak up its colonial heritage, from the dazzling-white Cape Dutch buildings to the Victorian and Georgian mansions set along oak-lined streets. Add the beautiful town of Franschhoek, founded by the French Huguenots, to the mix for a perfect day out. We always recommend booking a qualified driver and guide for your trip to the Winelands unless your designated driver is teetotal! There are so many different wineries to visit, some specializing in particular varieties of grape and type of wine. Most Cellars will offer a tour and a wine tasting and many have outstanding restaurants, often located on mountain slopes with sweeping vista's of vines and valleys. Our team can arrange everything from cycle tours from winery to winery or how about a ride of the famous Wine Tram in Franschhoek?

Many travellers seem to think that the Cape Winelands end in Franschhoek which is quite the opposite of the truth. There are a number of different regions with fantastic wineries and the changing terroir affects the taste and quality of the wines produced. Many of the vines in the Overberg region, for example, near Hermanus, are cooled by the ocean breezes from the Atlantic Ocean while the dryer Olifants River and Klein Karoo regions produce a totally different taste.

While a great experience can be enjoyed on a full-day excursion from Cape Town, we highly recommend at least 2 to 3 nights in the Winelands themselves, not just for the fabulous scenery and wines, but some of South Africa's best accommodation establishments can be found here too. From small self-catering cottages to bed & breakfasts and luxurious boutique hotels and spa resorts. The team at The Luxury Travel Co. are on hand to assist you in planning the very best Cape Winelands experience. Get in touch to start a conversation! Call us on +357 26221634, email us on: info@theluxurytravelco.com or visit our flagship store in the heart of the Old Town in Paphos.