Winelands Tour Full Day (scheduled)

Whether you’re a discerning tippler or simply game for a day out in wine country, come along to enjoy wine tasting, vineyards and history.

This tour takes you to the best wine estates around Cape Town, including Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek. It starts at 8:30am as you head north to one of the Cape’s first farming districts – Paarl. Your first stop of the morning is a local wine estate for a cheese and wine tasting.

You’ll continue to Franschhoek with a photo stop at Groot Drakenstein Prison, where Nelson Mandela was released in February 1990. The village of Franschhoek, nestled among the mountains, could be mistaken for Switzerland, but its influence and style are French. It dates back to the 17th century when the French Huguenots arrived. It has a reputation as the Gourmet Capital of South Africa. After a short tour of the town, you’ll have your second wine tasting, followed by a lunch stop (optional – own account) and maybe a chance to try some of the fresh trout Franschhoek is known for.

After lunch the tour continues over the Helshoogte Mountain Pass to Stellenbosch – the heart of the South African wine industry. Walk down canal-lined avenues in the shade of giant oak trees and see well-preserved historic buildings. Coffee shops, galleries, antique shops and wine bars spill onto the sidewalks. Here you’ll enjoy your final wine tasting of the day, time permitting.

Return to the bustle of city life and your hotel at about 5:30pm.