Be Captivated By The Cape Winelands

During my travels throughout the years, both locally and internationally, there is almost no place that quite compares to the natural beauty and diversity than that of the magnificent Cape winelands in the Western Cape. It is no wonder that many international visitors flock here in their droves. There are an abundance of unique wine estates offering award-winning wines and world-class restaurants, luxurious five-star hotels and charming B&B’s, off-the-beaten track adventure and cultural activities, not to mention spectacular vineyard and mountain views that are a nature and photographer lover’s dream.

Franschhoek’s main road on a sunny winter’s day.

I was recently invited to sip, savour and explore my way through the beautiful and historic towns of Franschhoek and Stellenbosch. I never tire of visiting the winelands and was excited to return to some places that I had previously visited, and experience some new places and spaces. Here is what Craig Howes and I discovered during our trip, including an interesting cultural outing to Kayamandi, situated just outside Stellenbosch. Happy reading travel, foodie and wine lovers!

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Celebrate 18 Years With South Africa’s Four Cousins + WIN!

SA’s favourite bottled wine celebrates 18 years with fresh pizzazz!

South Africa’s Four Cousins brand pops the cork on a major milestone this year – its 18th birthday! The grand occasion has seen Four Cousins implement a smashing makeover that underlines its reputation as the wine-lover’s favourite.

Applied to both its famous sparkling and still wine ranges, the new packaging casts fresh light on Four Cousins quality, style and authenticity in every bottle. It also highlights something deeper in in the history of the brand. “It’s very humbling the way Four Cousins has been embraced by South Africans, whether in the traditional Cape Wine region, Soweto and Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, universities and the younger consumer” says Phillip Retief, CEO of Van Loveren Family Vineyards.

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Fancourt Scoops Award For ‘Best Hotel Spa In South Africa!’

If you mention the historic and luxurious Fancourt Estate, located in the picturesque Garden Route with the majestic Outeniqua mountain range serving as the impressive backdrop, many people immediately think of a golf course with a hotel on the grounds. Of course, it does feature both of these, but Fancourt offers so much more for the discerning traveller.

Experience a unique blend of classic elegance and modern luxury when staying at the Fancourt Hotel with breathtaking views. Golf enthusiasts will revel in the choices of award-winning golf courses. There are three Gary Player designed golf courses, all ranked in the Top 15 in South Africa, as well as a Golf Academy. The exceptional service, along with an amazing array of dining options and impressive wine lists, a host of sports and leisure activities, are just some of the reasons why South Africa’s premier leisure resort is in a league of its own.

If this isn’t enough to entice you to stay at this superb world-renowned recreational resort, they recently won the title of ‘Best Hotel Spa in South Africa’! This is an incredible accomplishment in the competitive Spa industry arena. I cannot wait to experience pure sensory bliss at The Spa.

Fancourt has been on my dream travel bucket list for as long as I can remember (I have a VERY long list!). My family and I are thoroughly looking forward to our stay, where we will  enjoy the very best that Fancourt has to offer. Stay tuned as I’ll be posting fun moments on my social media channels throughout our #roadtrip from Cape Town to George (Twitter, Instagram and Facebook). #DiscoverExceptionalMoments

Renowned Fancourt, famed for its luxurious hospitality on the Garden Route, scooped ‘Best Hotel Spa in South Africa’ at the annual Les Nouvelles Esthetiques Spa Awards held in Johannesburg last evening. Last year, they were runner up in the same category, and their Spa Manager was voted the ‘Best’.

These prestigious awards acknowledge and honour the magnificent world-class Spas in South Africa. Recognised by this industry leader, it reflects not only the commitment of Fancourt to exceeding the standard of service excellence but also the dedication of its employees to providing the ultimate guest experience.

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