The Winelands Tour by The Cheng Family
“Small towns are scattered in the rolling hills and valleys between huge and awe-inspiring mountain ridges. The valleys are beautifully cultivated with endless vineyards.” (more…)
Known for spectacular scenery, charming towns and great wine, South Africa’s Winelands is another region that’s a must see for wine lovers. Located in the Western Cape, just a short distance from the stunning city of Cape Town, the Winelands provides plenty to see besides wine estates - head to the town of Franschhoek, famous for its great cuisine, visit historic Stellenbosch, known as the “heart of the Winelands,” and gaze at the beauty surrounding Paarl, a town known for its granite boulders and hiking trails.
Visiting Franschhoek
Great wine and cuisine abound in Franschhoek. This beautiful valley is dotted with farmlands turned into vineyards, restaurants for every taste, cozy guesthouses and world famous wines. RealTravelers The Cheng Family recently visited Franschhoek during their trip around the world:
“Franschhoek was our favorite little town – beautiful houses, lovely gardens, great arts and crafts, and gourmet food at prices we could afford. Dinner in one of the most recommended restaurants, The French Connection, was affordable even for us misers and budget travelers.” (more…)
Visiting Stellenbosch
With over 100 wine cellars, Stellenbosch is a great place to sample delicious wine. A university town, Stellenbosch also provides plenty of outdoor activities including hiking at the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve, art galleries, museums and other opportunities to experience the culture of the area.
On their tour of the Winelands, Scott and Nancy visited Stellenbosch and especially enjoyed spending the night at the Hawksmoor House, a Cape Dutch country retreat right outside of town:
“Our final day in the winelands, we hit Backsberg (one of the few totally “green” wineries in the world) as well as a great cheese farm which made the makings of a perfect picnic lunch. For our final night in the winelands, we thought we’d book a night in a farmhouse and boy, did we happen upon a good one. We stayed with Maike and Jonathan at Hawksmoor House. Built in the 1700s, it has been beautifully restored and we enjoyed beautiful views of Table Mountain and a stunning sunset - of course alongside a bottle of Hawksmoor wine which was equally lovely!” (more…)
For more on the Winelands, visit:
Winelands Travel Guide
Franschhoek Travel Guide
Paarl Tourism
Winelands Map
To base your trip in Cape Town, visit:
Cape Town Travel Guide
South Africa Travel Guide
Cape Town Tours
