Cape Town Urban Explorer and Winelands Holiday

You’ll be met at the airport and taken by private transfer to Abbey Manor in Cape Town’s quiet residential suburb of Oranjezicht (30 mins).  You’ll stay at Abbey Manor for the next five nights.

Today you’ll have a full day private guided tour of Cape Town and Table Mountain.  You’ll begin the day with a birds eye view of the city, having taken the cable car up Table Mountain.  Your guide will take you to the best  viewpoints, away from the crowds before taking you into the city to explore it’s fascinating streets. You’ll learn about Cape Town’s history through many stories; discover food, design, arts and culture; and explore historical sights such as the Company Gardens, Green Market Square and St George’s Cathedral.  The day is tailored to your interests and may include a visit to the District 6 community and the vibrant, multi coloured houses of Bo Kaap.  You’ll visit community upliftment projects, and spend some time on artisan filled Bree Street.

This afternoon you’ll visit the Langa township on a privately guided tour with a local guide. You’ll have the opportunity to meet locals and share experiences as your guide walks with you, showing you the daily lives and culture of the Xhosa people. In Langa, the streets are the liveblood of the commuity; where children play football, locals trade, walk, gather and socialise. You’ll also have the opportunity (if available) to meet with children from the Happy Feet Youth Project.  The charity was set up in 2007 to provide children with positive role models and create a sense of belonging through dance.

Today you have a free day.  You might like to visit Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years, have a boat cruise from the waterfront or wander round the Kirstenbosch botanical gardens.  In the evening, you might like to listen to a talk by, and perhaps have dinner with, Christo Brando, one of Nelson Mandela’s former prison guards.

Today you’ll leave the city and drive south, exploring the spectacular rugged, wild Cape Peninsula with  your private guide.  The day, which will be tailored around your interests, takes you the length of the peninsula, visiting pretty fishing villages and towns, seeing resident Cape fur seals and African penguins, and discovering the history, culture and nature of this fascinating area.

Your hire car will be delivered this morning and you’ll head north to the winelands, leaving the city behind.  The contrast is stark as you leave the fast paced urban hub and are engulfed by a peaceful landscape of towering mountains and rolling vineyards.  Your destination is L’Auberge Chanteclair, in the small, romantic town of Franschhoek (54 miles), where you’ll stay for the next five nights.

The next four days in Francshoek, ‘French corner’, are free to explore at your leisure.  Soak up the relaxed atmosphere on a stroll around the town’s pretty streets lined with white-washed, gabled Dutch homesteads, visit art shops and the Huguenot Memorial and museum, eat in artisan cafes and enjoy some of South Africa’s finest restaurants.  Described as one of the world’s gastronomic capitals, Franschhoek is known for it’s fine dining, with a large selection of excellent restaurants to choose from.

Today you might like to visit the Sculpture Garden by Dylan Lewis in Stellenbosch, or hike some of the trails on Mont Rochelle that overlooks the valley.

Today you might like to spend the day on the wine tram, a wonderful hop on hop off tour through Franschhoek’s picturesque valley. Stopping at some of South Africa’s oldest and most distinguished wine estates, you’ll have the opportunity to taste wine, have a cellar tour, enjoy lunch and stroll through the vineyards on this social, informative and memorable day out.

Perhaps drive the 60 miles south to Hermanus and Klein Baai today, for a boat trip to see southern right whales (June – December) and/or other marine wildlife such as sea birds and Cape fur seals (January – May).

Today you’ll return your hire car to Cape Town international airport (50 miles) and fly home

Abbey Manor sits directly beneath Table Mountain in the quiet residential suburb of Oranjezicht and enjoys fantastic views across the city.  The house, built in 1905, was designed by the architecht William Black and now offers guests five star service in a quiet area of the city, just 10 minutes from the waterfront.  The nine rooms – seven luxury and two grand – are all individually decorated with a mixture of original elements and contemporary touches to create a romantic, tranquil stay.  All rooms have  wifi, air conditioning, tv, tea and coffee making facilities and mini bar.  The house has an elegant lounge, library, breakfast room, solar-heated swimming pool, rooftop terrace and beautiful gardens.

With jaw dropping mountain views, L’Auberge Chanteclair , is a beautifully converted Dutch farmhouse in the tranquil outskirts of Franschhoek. The house has 8 luxurious rooms, some with fireplaces and underfloor heating, each lovingly decorated to ensure a relaxed and comfortable stay.  The house has an outdoor pool, as well as wifi, parking, tv, mini bar and laundry service.  Your hosts, Josephine and Roger (and their friendly dog), will make sure you have everything you need during your stay.  You’ll enjoy breakfast on the patio surrounded by fragrant gardens, and a sundowner on the veranda overlooking the properties own vineyard and the mountains.