As well as fantasic african safaris, South Africa also boasts one of the oldest wine regions outside of Europe…far older than those in North America, and even predating the European discovery of Australia and New Zealand by a couple of hundred years.

In the heart of one of the most beautiful valleys in the Cape Winelands is the village of Franschhoek which is well known for its excellent food and wine. 

Franschhoek Country House is surrounded by vineyards and majestic mountains, is offeing 3 nights for the price of 2 between 13 April 2009 and 31 July 2009, and this makes an excellent base for exploring this charming region.

Their famous Monneaux Restaurant, rated as one of South Africa’s best, serves an inspired fusion of French and Eastern cuisine, complemented by an extensive wine list.

Our new searchable map of  Cape Winelands Accommodation, including places to stay in Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, and Paarl, is now online.

We have added new photos to a number of 4* and 5* hotels and guesthouses in the Cape Winelands:

Franschhoek Country House & Villas
Grande Roche Hotel
Lanzerac Manor
Le Quartier Francais
Summerwood Guest House

South Africa is today one of the major producers and exporters of wines worldwide, and has been producing wine since the middle of the 17th century.   The Cape Winelands are ony a short drive from Cape Town and are set amongst rolling mountain slopes and valleys, with some of the oldest surviving colonial architecture in South Africa.

There are literally scores of wine estates, and whilst the region can be easily visited in a day trip from Cape Town, staying in the area will give you more opportunity to search out the labels you are familiar with from home or to go on a voyage of discovery and find new favourites.

Staying a couple of nights in the beautiful village of Franschhoek allows you to enjoy the scenery, wines, and foods of this charming region.  Franschhoek has earned itself the title of ‘Food and Wine Capital of South Africa’, and quite rightly so.  In the village itself, there are many award winning restaurants, and many of the surrounding vineyards also offer excellent lunches as well as wine tasting.

Stellenbosch, only a mere 40 minutes drive from Cape Town, is a pretty university town, with whitewashed Cape Dutch architecture along oak-lined avenues set around a pleasant green, which has earned it its other name of ‘Eikestad’ - the Town of Oaks.  Situated right in the heart of the Winelands, Stellenbosch is a perfect base from which to explore the surrounding area, and the Stellenbosch Wine Route is not only the oldest wine route in South Africa, but also arguably the country’s most famous, with over 100 cellars.