WINE AND WHALES TOUR
- 3-days / 2-nights land package
- LUXURY: 5-star accommodation
- STANDARD: 3-star accommodation
TOUR AVAILBALE JULY TO NOVEMBER.
Price:
LUXURY
R12785pp sharing; single supplement R719
(September 10 – end November 10)
CLASSIC
R8495pp sharing; single supplement R473
(September 10 – end November 10)
Inclusions: wine specialist guide (2 days); transport; accommodation (including breakfast); all tastings and entrance fees included in the itinerary; whale cruise
Exclusions: all beverages – alcoholic or non alcoholic; all meals except breakfast, unless specified; where meal suggestions are provided, these are for your own account
Itinerary:
Day 1
Our tour kicks off in the historical town of Stellenbosch. Get up early and have a good breakfast, because you have an exciting day to look forward to. After we collect you from your hotel, we'll head off to Spier Estate. Spier has changed from a fairly modest wine farm to one of South Africa's premier tourist attractions, without losing an ounce of its charm and appeal.
The wines are something special, but perhaps even more memorable than the tasting will be your (optional) visit to Spier's Cheetah Outreach Programme. You'll get a chance to bury your fingers into the surprisingly rough fur and tickle the chin of this beautiful animal. After a short drive through the oak lined streets of Stellenbosch, Next stop is at Alto Estate whose tasting room has breathtaking views across to Table Mountain, where we will sample the renowned red wines in which this estate specializes.
The lunch stop is at Avontuur (for your own account) where you can sample Cape country cuisine while watching the stud horses relaxing in paddocks. Then, as confirmation that you are having a really divine time, we head off to the Hemel-en Aarde (Heaven and Earth) Valley where we visit Whalehaven and and Bouchard Finlayson to sample and compare some superb Pinot Noir. Then we take the winding valley road down into Hermanus, renowned as one of the few places in the world where whales can be seen from the shore. Keep a look out and you may see a mother and calf in the distance.
Dinner is at your guest house, Schulphoek, (first evening only, is included in 5 star packages), where you know that the food has to be something special to compete with the view of whales and dolphins from the lounge and dining room windows.
Accommodation on 3 Star package is at the equally charming Misty Waves Hotel, close enough to walk to the cliff paths to see the whales.
Day 2
It's an early start to the day, but it will be worth it. You'll be taken to Kleinbaai where you board the boat to get a closer look at the Southern Right Whales that breed in Walker Bay. There are strict rules about how close the boats may come to the whales, but you'll certainly get close enough to get an unforgettable view of these magnificent creatures.
Arrange a collection time with the shuttle company, as you may want to stay on for a fisherman's lunch at the Great White House (for your own account).
Spend the afternoon at leisure, exploring Hermanus' eclectic shops, or just sitting at the old harbour, soaking up the sun and the atmosphere.
Day 3
Today you will experience the real beauty of the Cape as you travel over three mountain passes on your way to the French Huguenot town of Franschhoek. As you drive, you'll see the fynbos vegetation this region is famous for. The Western Cape is one of the world's five floral kingdoms, with an incredible diversity of plants. You'll have some time to explore the art galleries and specialist shops in Franschhoek, before heading on to a tasting and early lunch at the internationally acclaimed Backsberg. After lunch its time to visit Vrede en Lust, a black economic empowerment farm which has embraced the ethos of the new South Africa.
Tour ends.
* Itinerary subject to change: every effort will be made to keep the itinerary as it appears here; however, the final itinerary may vary due to wine producer schedules, availability, and factors beyond our control.
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