We debate long and hard about where to spend our hard earned jollies and there’s a whole load of research that goes into it. South Africa was one that had been on “the list” for a long time and so, with 11 days to spare over Easter, we thought we’d fly right in…The trip begun with two nights in Cape Town where we hit up Neighbour Goods Market for street food, climbed Table mountain (via the cable car), explored the coast line including stopping at the beautiful Noordhoek beach and Boulders beach where we played count the penguins and spent a day pottering round the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens before retiring to our peaceful hotel, The Alphen.
We then moved onto Stellenbosch where we set up camp at the stunning Boschendal Wine Farm before heading out on a Bike Tour with Adventure Shop which took us around the old town and up to Lanzerac vineyard for a special wine and chocolate tasting. That night we had dinner in one of the most popular restaurants in the winelands, Terroir, which is located at Kleine Zalze Wine Estate; here we found our favourite red wine of the trip, the Kleine Zalze Shiraz. Other highlights included the picnic at Spier Wine Estate and another dinner at the Japanese inspired Tokara Restaurant at Tokara Wine Estate with the most spectacular views.
After consuming as much wine as we could we moved onto South Africa’s other big attraction…or should we say attractions. Safari at Gondwana Game Reserve…we’d use beautiful again but we’ve already milked it however it really is hard to get into words how pretty everything is in South Africa. You can read more about our two day Gondwana adventure here. All those early starts meant we were in need of some MEGA R&R so the next, and final stop in our journey, was Ellerman House and it didn’t disappoint. The only thing we were upset about was the fact we had to leave after two days. This place has everything you might need and more.
If you’re planning a holiday and want more than just a beach vacay, then South Africa really does offer something for one and all. Beaches, cities, safaris and wine farms AND all in 11 days. NAILED IT.