|
|
 |
|
No place on earth combines nature's magnificence and man's refinements as does South Africa. Breathtaking country enchants you while wonderful food and wine seduce your palate.
Cape Town Area (4 nights)
We begin our tour in the Cape Winelands, just outside of Cape Town at Constantia Uitsig Country Estate. This very small hotel is set among sprawling vineyards as well as polo and cricket grounds. Two of South Africa's finest restaurants share this magnificent estate, and we dine famously at Constantia Uitsig and La Colombe.
Cape Town touring
Tours of the District Six Museum and Robben Island bring South Africa's recent history into context. District Six was an area of Cape Town that figured prominently in the history of apartheid, and Robben Island housed the prison that held Nelson Mandela and many other political enemies of apartheid until about ten years ago. We also visit Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve.
Dining and wine tasting
In addition to sampling the great restaurants at Constantia Uitsig, we visit some of the classics like Africa Café and Bukhara. We also enjoy a special tasting dinner at Buitenverwaching Wine Estate and a visit with the winemaker.
Franschhoek Valley in the Cape Winelands
|
Franschhoek (3 nights)
The French Huguenots settled this valley in 1658, and their descendants have been making wine here ever since. We stay at Le Quartier Francais in the heart of this small town and enjoy the Relais and Chateaux amenities of this quaint hotel as well as one of the most highly regarded restaurants in South Africa.
Wine Country Touring
Wine is at the center of the three valleys that come together around Franschhoek.
Dining and wine tasting
In addition to the delightful foods of the restaurant at Le Quartier Francais, we enjoy a visit to Le Petit Ferme and a visit to the highly regarded Boekenhoutskloof wine estate for a tasting and visit with the winemaker.
We visit and taste at several of the finest wineries, including those in nearby Stellenbosch and Paarl. If you like what you taste, you can easily ship bottles back to the States. You won't find these wines on many shelves in the U.S. nor on restaurant wine lists, although you will wish you could! These wonderful wines are a bargain by American standards.
Cooking Lessons in Cape Town and Franschhoek
We have arranged five unique cooking classes:
- A morning class with Frank Dangereux of the incomparable La Colombe
- A lunch prepared with Cass Abrahams, known as the Queen of Cape Malay cuisine
- A private class at The Institute of Culinary Arts of South Africa, with lunch
- Dinner preparation class with highly regarded Margot Janse of Le Quartier Francais, recently named to the "World's 50 Best" list by Restaurant Magazine
- Special bread-making class at Moreson Wine Estate
|
Kersefontein (1 night)
Julian Melck, gentleman farmer and philosopher, welcomes us to his sprawling Western Cape Ranch, a property his family has farmed since 1770. Julian entertains us in a unique, gracious style that has long since vanished from much of the civilized world. He takes us on a memorable step back in time.
Safari scene....Yes, you really get that close!
|
Tanda Tula Safari Camp (3 nights)
Luxurious Tanda Tula Safari Camp is situated amid 20,000 acres of private nature reserve. No fences separate Tanda Tula from adjacent Kruger National Park, where one finds the greatest wildlife diversity in Africa. More than 200 species can be found, ensuring a spectacular game-viewing experience. Leopards, black rhino, lions and cheetahs share this region with elephants and water buffalo. Prepare to be pampered in tented suites with en suite bathrooms and private timber decks. Tanda Tula's lounge and pool overlook a waterhole, where, day and night, animals come to drink. Sumptuous dinners are served in an open-air boma around a log fire.
Fly to Johannesburg and return home.
|
|
|
