• Waterford Estate - We head north to Paarl

At our first stop we experience a cellar tour followed by a cheese and wine tasting

We continue to Franschhoek with a photo stop at the Groot Drakenstein Prison where Nelson Mandela was released in Feb 1990

A short tour of the little town and a second wine tasting in Franschhoek

Lunch stop (optional – own account)

After lunch we continue to Stellenbosch where your guide will point out historic buildings and tell you interesting facts

Time permitting, we will include a third wine tasting before returning to your hotel

• Dorpstraat Stellenbosch - The beautiful little town of Stellenbosch, roughly an hour from Cape Town, lies surrounded by the Stellenbosch Mountains in the Jonkershoek River Valley in one of the most picturesque settings in the Cape.

The second oldest town in South Africa has fondly been called ‘Eikestad’ or city of oaks and its streets are lined with some of the most beautiful surviving examples of Cape Dutch, Georgian and Victorian architecture in the Cape. Dorp Street is a national monument and taking the time to walk around this cosy old part of Stellenbosch, with its secluded lanes, water furrows, cosmopolitan restaurants and coffee bistros, with superb views of mountain, vineyards and orchards, is an idyllic morning venture.

The name ‘Stellenbosch’ is almost synonymous with the wine industry. Not only does it have the oldest wine route in the country, and arguably the most famous, but the town has one of the most modern experimental wineries in the world, and the only viticultural and oenological department in the country at its university.

• La Motte Wine Estate - The French corner of the Cape, Franschhoek lies in one of the most beautiful wine valleys in the world, just 45 minutes’ from Cape Town and within half an hour of the Stellenbosch, Paarl, Wellington and Somerset West wine routes.

This traditionally French town is the food and wine capital of the country and one would be hard pressed to dispute the claim. Eight of the top 100 restaurants in the country are found in Franschhoek, there are nigh on 30 wine cellars and over 28 restaurants from which to choose for your gastronomic experience. The Franschhoek valley has recently launched a Cap Classique route that includes nine cellars, within a distance of 4 km, in a combined marketing initiative. The sparkling wine tour includes teaching visitors about the methods of making Cap Classique in a unique attempt to add value to wine consumption.

Originally known as the Valley of the Huguenots, a community of French Huguenots were granted land in this valley by the Dutch government of the Cape, after fleeing their homeland when Protestantism was outlawed in France in 1685. Today, many of the wine farms still bear their original French names and most of these farms have beautiful examples of Cape Dutch architecture.

• Fairview Wine and Cheese - The third oldest settlement in South Africa, Paarl is steeped in history and culture. But there’s far more to it than that! While the town is close enough for a day adventure – just an hour’s drive from Cape Town – you’ll probably want to make a weekend of it.The Paarl Wine Route, which is the second oldest in the country, is known for its full-bodied spicy reds and crisp whites. Shiraz is the most important varietal from the area, but Paarl wineries also produce remarkable chenin blanc, chardonnay, pinotage, viognier and mourvedre.

Be sure to check out Under Oaks, Nederburg Wines, KWV Wine Emporium, Fairview, Black Pearl Wines, Boland Kelder, Ridgeback Wine Farm and Rhebokskloof Wine Estate. Stop for a lazy lunch at the Grande Roche Hotel or at Harvest at the Laborie Wine Estate.

• In-vehicle air conditioning

• Lunch

The Cape Winelands Tour is unique for several reasons:

1. Scenic beauty: The tour takes you through some of the most stunning landscapes in South Africa, including the picturesque towns of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, and Paarl, surrounded by majestic mountains and lush vineyards.

2. Wine region: The Cape Winelands is one of the oldest wine-producing regions in the Southern Hemisphere, with a rich history and culture of winemaking. You’ll have the opportunity to visit renowned wine estates, taste some of the world’s best wines, and learn about the wine-making process.

3. Historic significance: The region is steeped in history, with many historic buildings, museums, and landmarks, such as the Huguenot Memorial Museum and the Cape Dutch architecture.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.