The Majestic Cape and Winelands

On arrival at Cape Town International Airport you will be met and transferred to your luxury hotel; The Twelve Apostles Hotel, overlooking the Atlantic ocean. With unsurpassed views of the magnificent Cape coastline, you can soak in the beauty of the majestic Atlantic Ocean and Twelve Apostles Mountain range. And yet this luxury 5-star boutique hotel, voted No 2 Hotel in Africa by Conde Nast Traveler Readers award in 2008, is just a few minutes from worldly, cosmopolitan Cape Town city centre.

Your hired car will be delivered to your hotel offering you the flexibility to explore the Cape and Winelands at your own pace. Embark on a journey of discovery of the Mother City, South Africa's breathtaking jewel. Ride the Cableway to the top of Table Mountain where you will have spectacular views in all directions. The upper cable car station is situated at 1067 metres and the revolving cablecar ensures that your trip up and down gives you a birds eye view of the city. Once on top you can follow paths to various look-outs and make use of the telescopes.

Regardless of the weather, take a windbreaker as it can often be cool on the mountain top.

Once you have descended the mountain make your way to the vibey Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, in the heart of Cape Town's Table Bay working harbour. One of the best ways to enjoy the spectacular scenery is to take one of the many boat or helicopter trips. Enjoy designer shopping, fantastic restaurants and entertainment venues as you stroll around the Waterfront. The Robben Island Ferry departs from the Waterfront. You could take a trip to Robben Island for a glimpse into the political history of South Africa. Return to your hotel for sundowners as you witness the most spectacular sunset.

Explore the beauty of Cape Town as you travel along the Atlantic Coastline. You will travel past Llandudno where below, the might of the Atlantic Ocean crashes on the rocks and coves dotted along the coastline.

Continue on to the picturesque town of Hout Bay, where you can take a Boat ride from Hout Bay Harbour to Duiker Island to view thousands of Cape Fur Seals in their Natural environment.

Drive along the world renowned Chapmans Peak, one of the most scenic marine cliff drives in the world. It was hewn into the side of the mountain between 1915-1922, cut on the dividing line of the base granite and sedimentary sandstone. There are plenty of viewpoints for photos as you make your way to Cape Point.

As you enter the 22 100 hectare Table Mountain National Park, a natural World heritage site, you will be able to view a variety of buck, baboons and other animals as you make your way to Cape Point. This is the most southwesterly point of Africa. Cape Point is one of the highest sea cliffs in the World, 249 m above sea level and is where the cold Benguela current on the West coast and the warm Agulhus current on the East coast merge. You can either walk to the top or take the funicular to the look- out point at the old Lighthouse.

Travel back via the False Bay coastline stopping for lunch at Boulders Beach.

You can visit the Boulders Penguin Colony home to a growing colony of the vulnerable African Penguin. Wooden walkways allow visitors to view the penguins in their natural habitat and there is also a new information centre.

Travel through the quaint towns of Simons Town, Fish Hoek and Kalk Bay while enjoying the magnificent sight of the mysteriously beautiful mountains of False Bay.

Stop off for tea at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, displaying the true beauty of the region. These beautiful gardens cover an area of 528 hectares with 36 hectares of cultivated garden. The gardens are a celebration of South African flora- showcasing only indigenous South African plants. Enjoy a stroll around the gardens or take a tour with one of the Gardens guides.

Travel back to your hotel where you can choose to dine in the Azure restaurant, with its magnificent sea views of the Atlantic Ocean, which has just received the prestigious Chaine des Rotisseurs Blazon Award. If ever a location and its 5-star cuisine were in harmony, it's at the Twelve Apostles.

After a leisurely delicious breakfast set off into the Cape Countryside as you travel to Paarl.

Enjoy a wine tasting at Seidelberg Wine Farm where you can sample award winning wines in a cosy underground tasting room or under a pergola, whilst enjoying majestic views of Table Mountain and the Simonsberg Mountain range. The relaxed, informal atmosphere as well as the tranquil surroundings are perfect for wine tasting. Informative tours give a wonderful overview of the vineyard and cellar practices, giving the visitor a deeper appreciation of the wine making process. Enjoy lunch on the verandah as you take in the views of the surrounding countryside.

Head off towards Franschoek, where you will overnight at the luxurious LA RESIDENCE. At La Residence, personalized service is the order of the day. Enjoy dinner at the Hotel where dining is a leisurely experience, you will enjoy most of the culinary secrets of the picturesque Franschoek Valley, allowing yourself to be tempted by dishes of fine flavours, diverse textures, freshest local ingredients and attractive presentation.

After a relaxing breakfast set off to explore the wonders of the Franschoek Valley, South Africa's very own "French Corner". Here, amidst luscious vineyards and gracious Cape Dutch farmsteads, the picturesque village of Franschoek emits proud, ever-present memories of a 17th century Huguenot culture. Enjoy a horseback ride, take a stroll, or make your choice to visit over twenty-nine wine farms. Or simply amble among an array of art shops, galleries and specialist stores that grace the village centre. Enjoy lunch at La Petite Ferme, where a coveted Top Ten Restaurant award from the 2004 Anniversary Edition of the revered Wine Magazine acknowledges its ability to offer patrons, with selective and discerning palates, the opportunity to savour delectable cuisine. A panoramic glass veranda offers magnificent vistas as you sample this delectable cuisine. As one of the more intimate wineries in the Cape Winelands, La Petite Ferme takes pride in delicately hand-crafting its wines using time as its artisan, with constant respect for terroir. International accolades accredit the winemaker's precise attention to detail. A selection of wine is available at the farm.

Return to your hotel for dinner.

Spend the day exploring the route to Stellenbosch. The distance is only thirty kilometers, allowing you to leisurely explore the Wine Farms along the way. You can sample white wines, elegant and fruity reds and a number of Cap Classique wines at any of the numerous wineries in the area. Visit the Stellenbosch Village Museum which is a collection of historic houses dating from a number of eras which have been meticulously restored and furnished in period style, the gardens planted with the flowers, shrubs and trees that would have graced the original homes.

Visit the Oude Meester Brandy Museum which gives an insight into the history and development of brandy in the Cape area.

Make Neethlingshof Estate on the outskirts of Stellenbosch your last visit, where driving up the imposing stone pine avenue, a beautiful vista unfolds complete with pristine Cape Dutch buildings, rolling green vineyards and a cosy cellar. Travel back to Cape Town International Airport, where you can fly off to another invigorating destination in this country of diversity.

As this is a suggested itinerary, we can add on or alter any part of this trip to suit your preferences.