The majestic Boland Mountains surround this beautiful area. It is often referred to as the cradle of the wine industry in South Africa. In 1680 the French Huguenots brought the art of making wine to the valleys of the Boland. There is a 300 year old heritage of good wines and stately Cape Dutch homesteads.
Various wine-routes provide opportunities for the wine lover to taste the regions superb wines and get an insight into the wine making industry. The Cape Dutch architectural style have elements from traditional Dutch architecture, colonial Indonesian styles and most important the local Cape environment. The houses have a gabled section built around the front door and flanked by symmetrical wings extending to either side.
Franschhoek was originally called Le Quartier Francais when this beautiful valley of the Berg River became home to the Huguenots in 1688. Apart from the excellent wine estates in the district of Franschhoek, the town has become known as the 'food and wine capital' of South Africa, with tourists flocking here from all over the world to enjoy its hospitality.
The picturesque main street is lined with many old cottages housing interesting shops and art galleries. At the mountain side of the village stands Huguenot Monument and Museum. Boschendal lies between Stellenbosch and Franschhoek and is in my opinion the most beautiful of all the Cape wineries. Tucked in below some startling mountains, the Cape Dutch homestead, winery buildings, and vineyard are almost too beautiful to be real. They serve excellent food at reasonable prices in the garden café.
Home to eight of South Africa's top 100 restaurants, Franschhoek is a food lover's dream. Most of the wine farms in the region offer top-class restaurants on their individual estates. The town boasts many excellent restaurants varying in cuisine, ambience and style and of course all include impressive wine lists!
Many of the local restaurants are noted for their innovative cuisine and warm hospitality. Particularly noteworthy is Le Quartier Francais - rated as South Africa's top restaurant, and one of the Top 50 restaurants in the world.
Tip: Take a trip up Franschhoek Pass for lovely view of the valley and visit Boschendal, a must for the finest Cape Dutch buildings.
Mountains near Stellenbosch "Copyright: South African Tourism"
Stellenbosch is in the heart of the South African wine industry. Stellenbosch is a place of great beauty and culture that is steeped in South African tradition. The heart of town lies amidst the oak lined Dorp Street. With its venerable old buildings, this is the university's main thoroughfare, were modern student life mingles side by side with our history and architectural heritage. The best way to explore Stellenbosch is on foot. A guided tour is conducted daily, for more information call Stellenbosch Tourism (021) 883 3584.
In Market Street the Rhenish Complex is one of the finest restoration undertaken in the area and now houses the toy and miniature museum. The VOC Kruithuis (powder magazine) built in 1777 is the oldest surviving powder magazine in the country. It now houses the military museum with 17th century cannon, flintlock, muskets, and items from military regiments.
Tip: "Oom Samie se Winkel" is a 100 years old junk-shop for excellent homemade preserves and curious collectibles. In the backyard is a restaurant.
Paarl is situated between the second largest single granite rock in the world and the majestic Du Toit's Kloof Mountains. Paarl is often called the pearl of the Berg River Valley. It was picked as the site for the Afrikaans Language Monument as it played an important role in the development of the Afrikaans language.
The huge KWV wine co-operative, well known for its excellent wines, offers excellent tours and wine tasting. The popular Paarl Mountain Reserve is dominated by three giant granite domes. The reserve has mountain fynbos and a particularly large number of proteas. The Oude Pastorie is the old vicarage built in 1714 and now houses a collection of Cape Dutch antiques and relics of early Afrikaans culture.
Tip: Paarl Mountain Nature Reserve is really worth a visit. Climb the 2nd largest granite rock in the world.
Wellington is surrounded by beautiful countryside in particular the Bainskloof Pass is one of the most spectacular roads in a part of the world that has more than its fair share of spectacular roads. The Wellington Museum houses a large archaeological and ethnological collection, as exhibits about the history and development of the town.
Tip: Bainskloof is a must for its spectacular views
Somerset West is special in that it has the Mountains, the Sea, the Vineyards the Climate and the Country Feeling. Whilst it has grown substantially over the past 10 years, it's beauty remains unchanged. As a holiday destination, one could not ask for better as it is in close proximity to all the important attractions and destinations that make the Cape what it is in the top three holiday destinations of the world.
Part of the famous Wine Route in fact some of the very well known wines come from Somerset West. Cape Town International Airport is 20 minutes drive down the N2. Stellenbosch is 10 minutes drive False Bay and the Strand Beach is 5 minutes drive. Somerset West is situated on the side of the Helderberg Mountain and has views over False Bay Somerset West lies at the foot of the Hottentot Holland Mountain Range. The beautiful town of Gordons Bay is situated about 10 minutes drive from Somerset West The town of Hermanus, famous for Whale watching is just over the Mountain about 40 minutes drive.
Strand's main attraction is "the strand" 5 kilometers of beautiful white sandy beach lapped by the warm waters of False Bay. The beach is known to be one of the best and safest bathing areas in the country. Facilities on or nearby include Dune Park with a supertube and mini-golf and Harmony Park which boasts a huge tidal pool. Watersports may be conducted from various points along the beach front.
Gordons Bay is the ideal town to base yourself in when in the Western Cape. It is so central to all the Cape's Tourist attractions, and itself is the perfect town for a sea side holiday. It is on the fringe of the Stellenbosch wine route which starts in Somerset West, 10 minutes drive from Gordons Bay, whilst Strand shares the coastline.
Cape Town is across the bay and is only 30 minutes drive, and the Cape Town International Airport is half way between Gordons Bay and Cape Town. To the south, over Sir Lowry's pass, about 30 minutes drive, is Hermanus, famous for Whale watching, whilst Gordons Bay and False Bay has it's fair share of Whale sightings.
Tip: Take a trip up"Sir Lowry's pass, from the top you have a magnificent view over the False Bay.
