The product of the vine

As I get older, my appreciation for wine has just increased.

I fell in love with wine through my travels,

but knowing what the wine country is all about definitely makes it my own.
(Jeff Gordon)

As you travel around the Cape, you get to experience spectacular scenery, mountains, the ocean, nature, there's loads to see and do, but something that makes the Cape so unique from other areas in South Africa is its array of wine farms.

The Winelands cover an area exceeding 112 700 hectares.  The earliest recorded wine production dates back to 1659. The climate and soil conditions have made the Cape the ideal region for wine production. As you travel around the country side you will see the vines growing up and around the mountains waiting to produce a full bounty of grapes.

There are over 17 regions in the Cape producing top quality wine. For example there is the famous Constantia, Stellenbosch and Paarl wine routes, Darling, Durbanville and the West Coast just to mention a few.  South Africa is the 8^th largest wine producer in the world, with over 900 million litre's of wine. Whether you prefer red or white,you will be spoilt for choice. There are five main grape varieties Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Colombard, Shiraz and Sauvignon Blanc. Experienced wine makers work their magic in producing wines that appeal to almost any palette.

Visiting the Wine Farms is a treat and you can make a day of it.  Many have a rich cultural heritage, with interesting old Homesteads to view and wonderful restaurants offering food that showcases the best of South African cuisine and of course the opportunity to taste the fruit of the vine.

Do a cheese and wine tasting or walk around the Estates and soak up the beauty of the Cape setting.  As you swirl your glass of wine to get the best bouquet and enjoy the hospitality that is associated with this region, you will know that you are in one of the best places in the world.

"Babylonstoren" in the Franschhoek valley, is a Wine Farm with a difference.  You can join a guided cellar tour that starts daily at 12 noon.  Go through the whole winemaking process from the Vineyard to the end product.  Enjoy a cheese and wine tasting, or perhaps a lunch at "Babel" where you will be treated to freshly prepared food produced on the farm itself. It's a Farm that has won awards and its definitely a place where as one Guest put it, "you can fall in love with the world again"

Experience warm Cape hospitality and spoil yourself to a weekend away from it all.

To book email us at info@travelsatleisure.com or go to

http://www.travelsatleisure.com/ to see what other treasures South Africa has to offer.

Flowers, Flowers and more Flowers

" Flowers whisper "Beauty!" to the world,
even as they fade, wilt, fall. " 

- Dr. SunWolf -

It's the small things in the world that make us sit up and take notice. 

Vast fields of wild flowers, colours of every hue, is one such inspiring occasion!

 The Namaqualand Region which stretches from the town of Garies in the South (which is approx 472 km's from Cape Town) to the Orange River in the North.  The western boarder is the wild Atlantic Coast and the town of Pofadder (approx 651 km's from Cape Town) marks the eastern boarder.  This vast area which in the summer appears dry and heartless  suddenly dresses up for the occasion and produces a spectacular floral banquet. Little wonder that each year huge numbers of visitors flock to see the wild flowers, which can be viewed from  August and into September, after the winter rainfalls.  The flowers are at their most beautiful on a glorious sunny day.

A Tour taken along the Cape's West Coast is definitely a worthwhile one. The tour can be organised in such a way that you will be taken to the best possible places, to view the flowers as well as other places of interest. Because of the limited season it is important that you plan now for your trip. The best time would be the last weekend in August and the first week in September, as many of the annual flower shows will also take place. 

To wet your appetite here is a preview of the trip. One of the ports of call is Citrusdal, which is only a 2 hour drive from Cape Town. This town lies between the Koue Bokkeveld and Swartberg Mountain. This area is well known for it’s citrus orchards and large Rooibos Tea fields. This is the only region in the world where the Rooibos is grown. For those of you who are not familiar with Rooibos Tea, it is a brew enjoyed by many of the local people. Not strictly a tea but rather a herbal infusion. A pure and natural product!


Rooibos Tea


Another place to see is the Ramskop Nature Reserve, where there are 350 different species of wild flower. This is in the Clanwilliam area. In this area you will also visit the Biedouw Valley Reserve, which lies between the Biedouw and the Tra-Tra Mountains. Some of the flowers that you are likely to see is the Yellow/White Nemesias, The Blue Heliophilas and so many more. A wide variety of “Vygies”, and Rooibos plants!

The best kept secret of the region is the Tankwa Karoo National Park. A very unusual plant to see is the Snow Protea, which only grows in the Cederberg area. They can live up to 70 years of age and the flower takes a full year to open. A must see!

Vanrhysdorp, Bitterfontein, Kamieskroon, Ceres and the list goes on and on. 
There are a variety of organised trips to choose from. Some are day trips and others range from 1 night to 3 nights. The tours can also be tailor made to suit the area and parks you would like to visit. 

You could also consider a Farm Stay in Sutherland.  The first night is spent in the town of Sutherland affording a perfect opportunity to view the beautiful Stars, the second night is spent at a Farm 55 km's outside of Sutherland.  Meals (Breakfast, Light Lunch & Supper incl).

The West Coast Flower Line +27 071 320 7146 can provide you with information on the best flower viewing spots if you feel like taking a drive.

For more information on customised Flower Tours contact us at info@travelsatleisure.com

or go to www.travelsatleisure.com to see what else South Africa has to offer.

Take time to stop and see the Flowers
It may just be what you need to recharge!