A trip to South Africa would be incomplete without a visit to the Winelands of the Western Cape. The region boasts more than three hundred years of history dating back to the time of the Dutch East India Company in the mid 1600’s and stretches over four wine producing regions.

A trip to the Winelands (1) will take you to the towns of Stellenbosch, Paarl, Franschhoek and Wellington, a little more than 30 minutes outside of Cape Town.

Stellenbosch (2) , the heart of South Africa’s wine industry is the oldest wine route and you will find many historic buildings dating back to the time of the Dutch settlement in the area. Steeped in tradition, Stellenbosch is a place of great beauty and culture and a vibrant, youthful atmosphere permeates this historic town as it is the home to one of the largest universities in South Africa. The oak lined streets are home to excellent restaurants offering a wide range of cuisines from traditional South African to continental, and sidewalk cafe’s bustle with life.
Stellenbosch also offers a wide range of activities for all ages and tastes, from museums, art galleries and theatre to sporting and outdoor activities such as skydiving, golf, paragliding and endless mountain biking and hiking trails.

Franschhoek (3), often referred to as South Africa’s food and wine capital, boats many fine restaurants and famous vineyards and produces some of the world’s finest wines, with spectacular vineyards covering the surrounding mountain slopes. You can experience some of the country’s best culinary delights, from light meals to world class cuisine, utilising the extensive range of fresh produce from the region.Franschhoek offers a wide variety of restaurants, each with their unique style, with eight featuring in the country's Top 100. Franschhoek’s main street is a treasure chest of antique shops, art galleries, craft shops, restaurants and coffee shops. Outdoor activities include hiking, cycling, horse riding and fly fishing.

Paarl, set at the foot of breathtaking granite domes from which it takes its name is one of the Cape’s first farming regions, dates back to the French and Dutch settlements and boasts a rich architectural heritage and is an important agricultural and commercial centre. Famous for it’s holistic approach to winemaking, the Paarl region is regarded by many as the country’s leading wine producing region with the world-renowned (4) Nederberg Wine Auction which is held each April, attracting multitudes of visitors from around the globe. For the outdoor enthusiast there is fishing, hot-air ballooning, mountain biking, 4 x 4 trails, horse-riding, golfing and much more.

Wellington (5), steeped in 300 years of history is an architectural jewel boasting many Cape Dutch and Victorian buildings. Most industry revolves around winemaking, leather and fruit farming with the South African Dried Fruit Industry founded here in 1890. The spectacular scenic drives and a magical and tranquil atmosphere of Wellington offers something for everyone, from fine restaurants and local delights such as olives, olive oil, berries, sauces and jams and preserves to sporting facilities include: rugby, tennis, cricket, squash, golf and well as horse riding and biking and hiking trails.

With winemaking being one of the region’s main attractions a visit to one or more of the many wine estates, where you can taste and buy local products, is not to be missed. Some estates are open by appointment only, but many boast excellent restaurants where you can enjoy lunch or even a picnic in the breathtaking setting of the Winelands.