South Africa’s Cape Peninsula has such a mixture of environments and communities that it is an instantly likeable and captivating place. Few places (other than Tassie!) can offer wide open spaces, mountain hiking, lazing on a beach and world class wine tasting all in one day!
Cape Town
Cape Town has been influenced over time by the Dutch, the English, the French, Indonesian and the Malay. We are staying at the Victoria & Alfred Hotel, smack bang in the Waterfront Precinct – and very central to our needs with restaurants and shopping at the door step.Here, original buildings stand shoulder to shoulder with new modern architectural delights including shopping malls, boutiques, alfresco restaurants with Table Mountain looming in the background. The “MyCiti” Red bus system is a great way to get to know a city quickly and Cape Town is no exception, we travelled around 17 fascinating stops on the upper deck taking it all in.
Table Mountain
The highlight is of course the Table Mountain Cable Car – and the sheer majesty of this trip to the top – that’s 1080 metres above sea level. The cable car has been operating for over 80 years, but the new car design carries 65 persons in comfort, and the floor revolves so everyone gets a great view of the ocean, the city centre and beyond.
Robben Island
Despite harsh and brutal times those imprisoned on the island succeeded in turning a prison into a symbol of freedom and personal liberation none more so than in Feb 1990 when Nelson Mandela sent the world a message of tolerance, reconciliation and hope that moved the world and still moves the South African people.
The island is now a World heritage site by UNESCO. Daily ferries operate at 0900,1100,1300,1500 with local guides were themselves have been imprisoned on the island.
The Winelands
The world famous Cape winelands are visually stunning with green valleys, rugged mountains, and dramatic scenery often with Cape Dutch architecture with distinct gables and thatched roofs. We start our journey in the small town of Paarl, which means in Dutch Pearl. It is here we enjoyed ‘the pearl of Paarl’, the Grand Roche Relais & Chateau; a truly stunning boutique hotel in the quaint village.
A few miles along the road we visited Fairview Estate and tok part in a Master Tasting. This winery is famous not only for wine but is one of the country’s leading cheesemakers and is also famous for its olive.
Stellenbosch
On the main street we stop at an emporium – “Oom Samie Se Winkel” which has to have the motto, ‘in store we’ve got it if we can find it! It’s like stepping back in time – Stellenbosch is probably the most well known outside of Cape Town but it’s also a large university town and popular with students. A divine place to stay would be Lanzerac Hotel and Spa and you could easily base yourself here and tour out each day for a week,
Our lunch stop is superb, a recommended restaurant ‘Indochine’ belonging to the Delaire Graff Lodges and Spa with two restaurant choices and 10 villas with private plunge pools. Views to die for!
Franschhoek
This wine village is very French influenced and is home to arguably the best patisserie in South Africa; Le Quartiers Francais. Our bubbly tasting was at Haute Cabriere Cellar where the champagne is great but of course they can’t call it that much like we can’t in Tasmania!
Recommended accommodation in this wine region would be Le Franschoek Hotel; a little out of town so a car would be necessary.
Cape Point
Another ‘bucket list’ item in the Cape of Good Hope. Following the Chapman’s Peak Road out of town, which can be compared to Italy’s Amalfi Coast, we pass through 114 scenic bends/view points on our way to Africa’s south-western most tip, where 360 degree elevated views await – the views are nearly as breath-taking as the hilly hike down to the point!
