Summer Escape to the Beautiful Cape Winelands

Summer is my favourite time of year! I love the holiday vibe in Cape Town as we head towards the festive season or the “silly season” as I like to call it. That said, a Summer Escape to the Beautiful Cape Winelands never goes amiss; a time-out of sorts from the mayhem.

Summer Escape to the Cape Winelands

I do like beach holidays, but there is something particularly relaxing about time spent in the country. With so much natural beauty in the Cape and more especially the Cape Winelands, it is hard not to fall in love. I am not talking about spending your days merely wine tasting, although that is definitely up there on the list. There are so many fantastic activities on offer.

A few of my favourite Winelands areas, which come to mind are Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Paarl, Robertson, Wellington and Elgin. The best way to experience these areas properly is to stay overnight or better yet a weekend, or longer. Accommodation wise there is so much on offer, from beautiful guest houses and boutique hotels to doing the self-catering or farm-stay options.

Below I have listed a few of the fun things to do on your Summer Escape to the Cape Winelands:

Wine Tasting

Naturally, this had to be at the top of the list! Wine lovers are in the Western Cape are spoilt for choice. There are so many amazing, as well as unique wine tasting and pairing experiences on offer. Which experience to choose is a personal preference, but you really cannot go wrong as the majority of farms a bringing their A game. A few of my favourites are Babylonstoren and Boschendal in Franschhoek, Lanzerac in Stellenbosch and Jasons Hill in Rawsonville. The Wine and Salt Pairing with Fleur du Cap Wines, at Bergkelder in Stellenbosch, is also worth adding to your itinerary.

Olive Tasting

There is also a Cape Olive Route, which includes areas such as the Breede River Valley, Paarl Region, Stellenbosch and Helderberg, Durbanville and the Overberg. My most memorable Olive Tasting experience is Kloovenberg in the Riebeek Valley. As well as tasting their amazing olives, I also sampled many of their delicious olive products. Among my favourites were the Chilli Dipping Oil and Lemon Infused Olive Oil.

Eating Out

Where to begin? Some of my favourite dining experiences have been in the Cape Winelands. From ultra fine dining to casually relaxed picnics, you are assured of an experience to remember. Of the areas I mentioned above, I rate Franschhoek and Stellenbosch at the top of my Winelands Culinary chart. There are too many restaurants to mention them all, but a few you really should try are Ryans Kitchen, Haute Cabriere, and The Werf at Boschendal in Franschhoek, and Overture and The Bakery at Jordan in Stellenbosch.

Local Markets

Another popular attraction in the Winelands is visiting craft and artisanal markets. A few in Stellenbosch which are super popular are the Slow Market, Root 44 Market and Blaauwklippen Market. They all offer a variety of artisanal food stalls, wines, crafts, children’s activities, as well as live entertainment.

Arts & Culture

As with good food and wine, so too has art been a much-appreciated experience. Franschhoek has become a particularly favoured ‘art destination’ and is home to some of the country’s finest art collections. A few galleries to add to your list include Art in the Yard, Galleria Gibello and the Holden Manz Collection. Galleria Gibello, situated in Franschhoek’s original brandy distillery, is the new home to wildlife photographer Caroline Gibello’s iconic images of Africa. The Holden Manz Collection is located in the centre of Franschhoek and hosts a portfolio of fine contemporary African art. The gallery schedules regular shows and hosts a selection of work from renowned artists.

Outdoor Activities

Last but certainly not least is exploring the amazing outdoors, whether it is mountain biking, a hiking trail, on horseback or even a Segway. There are many options when it comes to self-guided mountain biking trails but if you are looking for guide tours then check out the Bikesnwines website. As with biking trails, hiking trails are aplenty in the Winelands. My best advice is to check with the local tourism office or the accommodation where you are staying, for maps of recommended routes.

Stay in the Cape Winelands

As I mentioned, there is plenty of accommodation available in the Winelands to suit everyone’s needs. You can choose from guest houses, B&B’s, luxury boutique hotels, self-catering accommodation or farm-stays. Why stay in one place, mix it up and spend a few days road tripping to different areas. To book your accommodation in the Cape Winelands for your Summer Escape visit SA-Venues.com.

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