A Taste of South Africa - Food and wine tour and holiday

Upon arrival at Cape Town International Airport, you will be met by a representative for your transfer to the Vineyard Hotel, located in Newlands, a lush green suburb of Cape Town. Check in, enjoy a light meal or afternoon tea in the Garden Lounge, book a spa treatment at the Angansana Spa or take a relaxing garden walk on the seven acre estate. Dinner will be a five course experience of the region’s flavours paired with South African wines. Overnight at the Vineyard Hotel. Dinner included. 

Depart for Cape Town’s Cape Malay Quarter to learn more about the Cape Malay community’s culture from a culinary perspective. Discover the secrets of mixing masala, making daaltjies (chilli bites), preparing samoosas and rootis as well as traditional Cape Malay curry. These delicacies will be enjoyed during a sit-down lunch. Take a recipe booklet together with the masala mix home with you to spoil your loved ones and show off your new skills. Overnight at the Vineyard Hotel. Breakfast and lunch included. 

After breakfast, depart on a guided food & wine tour to the Elgin Valley, a region known for its cooler climate wines, about an hour’s drive from Cape Town. Visit one of the oldest farms in Somerset West to taste award-winning olives and olive oils produced in South Africa. Continue over the impressive Sir Lowry’s mountain pass crossing the Hottentots Holland mountain range towards Grabouw. Stop at the legendary Peregrine Farm Stall for some coffee and rusks and browse the many locally produced farm goods, from honey and chocolates, to preserves and cheeses and local apples produced in the valley.

Visit one of the many boutique wine farms in the Elgin Valley where you will taste some of the best wines this region has to offer and experience the ‘off-the-beaten-track’ intimacy that Elgin is famous for. Once you’ve had your fill of wine, head off for a leisurely lunch at Oak Valley’s The Pool Room (for own account). This restaurant is famous for locally sourced produce, pork from acorn-fed animals and free-range beef – and this can all be taken in in a beautiful setting amongst the estate’s majestic oak trees and swimming pool.

Continue to a family-run craft cider farm and be treated to some of the most innovative ciders in the country and a leisurely tractor ride through the farm orchards, capping off a perfect day in Elgin. Overnight at the Vineyard Hotel. Breakfast included.

After breakfast, a rental car will be delivered so that you can start your journey to the Winelands, overnighting in Franschhoek. Stop in Stellenbosch at the beautiful Waterford Estate for a 2.5 hour Wine Drive Safari. You will be greeted with bubbles and be taken on a cellar tour. Depart in a safari vehicle through the 120 hectare estate. Special stops will be made to taste estate wines before heading back to the tasting room to end off the experience with a wine and chocolate pairing. Continue to the picturesque town of Franschhoek. Overnight at Franschhoek Country House & Villas. Breakfast included. 

After breakfast, depart for Stellenbosch. A guided walking tour will take you through the old town centre that charms visitors with its shady oak trees and architectural diversity. Stop for a taste of South African teas, traditional snacks and a lunch platter of local favourites. Visit the oldest shop in town – Oom Samie se Winkel – to view some nostalgic South African treats. The afternoon will take you on a hop-on-hop-off Stellenbosch Winelands tour where you will have the opportunity to visit two or three wine estates (tasting fees for own account). Overnight at Franschhoek Country House & Villas. Breakfast and lunch included. 

Depart for Hermon and opt to stop en-route at Babylonstoren, a Cape Dutch farm, for a walk in their incredible fruit and vegetable garden. Continue to Bartholomeus Klip Farmhouse that finds itself on a working wheat and sheep farm in the Riebeek Valley where peace, tranquillity and good food will take your breath away. Explore the fynbos nature reserve on game drives or by mountain bike and admire spectacular mountain scenery. Bartholomeus Klip is renowned for its delectable food, with lavish brunches and high teas, and gourmet three course dinners. Overnight at Bartholomeus Klip. Breakfast and dinner included. 

Some highlights of a stay at Bartholomeus Klip are the nature drives through the 10 000 acre nature reserve. A morning drive departs after coffee and rusks, entering a completely different world from the farmlands and gardens of Bartholomeus Klip. Fynbos with its rich and varied plant life surrounds you, where at any moment you might spot a zebra or perhaps even a strikingly patterned geometric tortoise. Partake in a two hour afternoon cooking workshop, making some of the farmhouse’s favourite recipes. Each participating guest will receive a Bartholomeus Klip apron, visit to suppliers when available, recipe cards of the dishes prepared and refreshments. Overnight at Bartholomeus Klip. Breakfast and dinner included. 

After breakfast, return to Cape Town where you will drop off your rental vehicle at Cape Town International Airport before departing for your onward flight. Breakfast included.