The Delights of Africa s Western Cape Oceans, Mountains, Wine & Wanders S outh Africa is so often described as a world in one country and this could not be more true. It offers a sense of unravelling scenery from its world renowned seascapes, majestic mountain backdrops and vineyard-lined countryside. We will gently explore the Western Cape, enjoying many of its marvels. We start our journey with six nights in Cape Town, crowned by the spectacular Table Mountain. We explore the mother city mainly on foot, seeing all the best sights, including a trip up Table Mountain allowing us to experience a spectacular view of the city and ocean below, and walks along the Cape Peninsula and the Cape of Good Hope. We also visit places of interest such as Bo-Kaap where we enjoy a cooking safari and Boulders Beach where we have the chance of seeing the native breeding colony of penguins. We also take a day out from the city and visit the Aquila Private Game Reserve where we have the chance of spotting some of the Big 5! Moving on we head east to Franschhoek for two nights, which we ll find nestled between towering mountains in the winelands. Spectacular vineyards cover these mountain slopes settled more than 300 years ago by the Huguenots, who brought with them their age-old French wine and food culture. Widely known as South Africa s culinary capital, we will enjoy sampling the splendid wines and cuisine which have given it its reputation. As well as its great food and wine it offers beautiful scenery through which we enjoy gentle walks and allow time to relax in the surroundings. Table Mountain Travelling south to Hermanus, which is situated in the heart of the Cape Whale Coast, we spend our final two nights on the historic Hermanus Harbour. Known for its spectacular marine life and the best land based whale watching in the African continent, we may be lucky enough to spot some of these magnificent creatures. From Hermanus we take a visit to the Grootbos Private Nature Reserve and explore its 2500 hectares which encompass 750 rare fynbos and 120 bird species. A truly thrilling holiday, with a cherry-picked itinerary, which includes all the best parts of this beautiful region. We have tried to keep as much of the sightseeing on foot as possible, as we believe that there is no better way to explore the world. Proposed Daily Itinerary O ur itinerary is expected to follow the daily schedule outlined below but please bear in mind that the order of the days may be amended, or walks substituted, due to weather conditions or changes beyond our control. Day 1 We fly to Cape Town on an overnight flight from ondon Heathrow. Day 2 We should arrive early into Cape Town Airport and then transfer by road to the President Hotel (30 minutes), situated in beautiful Bantry Bay. After freshening up we will have an orientation walk, followed by some free time before dinner at the hotel. Meals included today Dinner. Day 3 After breakfast we visit Kirstenbosch National Botanical gardens, acclaimed as one of the greatest botanical gardens in the world. Few gardens can match the sheer grandeur of the setting of Kirstenbosch, against the eastern slopes of Table Mountain. It was the first of its kind, devoted to displaying its country s indigenous flora; it displays a wide variety of fynbos and plants from all over South Africa. After lunch we visit the Steenberg Hotel and Wine Estate, situated on the oldest farm in the picturesque Constantia Valley, where we enjoy a wine tasting before returning to the hotel. Dinner will be taken in the hotel this evening.
Day 6 A full day tour of the Cape Peninsula, travelling to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. We can take a funicular ride to the summit to view the meeting point of the two Oceans, but we would recommend doing the walk instead. We will then head for the naval port of Simon s Town. After a leisurely lunch we visit Boulders Beach. There are few places in the world where you can get this close to a breeding colony of penguins and enjoy their private sandy beach. Boulders Beach is situated near Simon s Town in False Bay between Fish Hoek and Cape Point. We will return to Cape Town in the late afternoon. Tonight we will head to the Waterfront for dinner. The Winelands Day 4 Morning visit to Table Mountain, taking the cable car to the top. From the top of Table Mountain there are magnificent views of Cape Town, surrounding suburbs and the Atlantic Ocean. We will spend time exploring the mountain on foot; some landmarks in view include Robben Island, Camps Bay beach and Cape Town Stadium. Or why not try and spot some of the resident Dassies? In the afternoon there is some free time; why not walk to the Waterfront or the Green Point area where there are delightful delis and cafés on the main road. Or maybe take a trip over to Robben Island? Dinner will be taken in the hotel this evening. Day 5 Today we will visit Bo-Kaap, where our adventure begins. Perched on the slopes of Signal Hill, overlooking Table Bay, Bo- Kaap is as idiosyncratically Cape as the spicy scents and flavours that waft downhill from its eccentrically colourful cobbled streets. Here we take part in the Cape Malay Cooking Safari, a truly special Cape experience. Starting at Bo-Kaap museum we visit the photo exhibition to get a feel for the history and traditions of the area. Your local guide will then lead you on a leisurely stroll through some of the historic streets with their pre-1840 architecture before heading to the local shops to purchase ingredients to make your own Cape Malay dish. Day 7 Today we will spend the day at the Aquila Private Game Reserve. A Big 5 game reserve, it is an ultimate safari getaway whilst staying in the city. On arrival we will have a welcome drink and enjoy a lovely lunch before embarking on an afternoon game drive, operated by open 4x4 safari vehicles. The drive will also include a visit to the ARC (Animal Rescue Centre). We will then travel back to Cape Town. Dinner is not included this evening but your Adagio leader will be more than happy to recommend somewhere to dine. Meals included today Breakfast & unch. Day 8 After an early breakfast we leave Cape Town and travel to our next destination, Franschhoek, in the majestic winelands. Here breathtaking scenery, warm hospitality, world class cuisine and the finest wines all combine to create lasting memories. During an informal cooking workshop in a Bo-Kaap family s home we learn how to mix Masala, fold Samosas and how to balance the delicate flavours of a Cape Malay Curry. Then it s time to sit back, relax, and appreciate your handiwork as you dig in to a traditional Malay lunch. In the afternoon we visit the Houses of Parliament, Company Gardens, City Hall and some of the local museums. We return to the hotel late afternoon. Dinner is not included this evening but your Adagio leader will be more than happy to recommend somewhere to dine. Meals included today Breakfast & unch. e Franschhoek Hotel & Spa We leave our luggage on the coach and spend the morning on the Wine Tram hop-on hop-off tour, a unique and leisurely way to explore the Franschhoek Valley as you journey through rolling vineyards stopping in at some of South Africa s oldest and most distinguished wine estates. We will have time to stop and explore some of the wine estates and try some of these world renowned wines. In the afternoon we visit the local chocolatier, located in the Main Road of the village. A chocolate-making demonstration will be given, followed by a chocolate tasting. Afterwards we continue to our hotel for two nights. Dinner is taken in the hotel, in one of the conservatory-style dining areas outside, overlooking the valley. Street in Bo-Kaap
makes it an important part of the Cape Floral Kingdom, one of only six in the world. After exploring the nature reserve we will have a relaxing lunch in one of the local restaurants before returning to our hotel in Hermanus. Dinner is not included this evening but your Adagio specialist will be more than happy to recommend somewhere to dine. Meals included today Breakfast & unch. Franschhoek Wine Tram Day 9 Today is a day at leisure. Your Adagio eader will have an organised walk planned, exploring this beautiful vineyard lined countryside. Or you may prefer to spend the day wine tasting and eating all the delicacies for which the region is famed. We will meet for dinner in the evening taken in a restaurant in one of the wine estates. Day 10 After breakfast we depart for Hermanus via Babylonstoren, where we spend our final two nights. Babylonstoren is one of the best preserved werfs (farm yards) in the Cape Dutch tradition, with not only the manor house from 1777, but pioneer structures that date back to the founding of the farm in 1690. The Babylonstoren garden is at the heart of the farm. It was inspired by the company gardens of the Cape, where for centuries ships would replenish with fresh water, vegetables and fruit at the halfway station between Europe and Asia. It also hails back to the mythical garden of Babylon. Day 12 After breakfast we head back to Cape Town via Stellenbosch. Stellenbosch is the second-oldest and undoubtedly the most scenically attractive and historically preserved town in Southern Africa. Your Adagio eader should lead you around this wonderful town with time for lunch before our coach journey to the airport in the early afternoon. We have an overnight flight back to the UK. Meals included today Breakfast & In-Flight Meal. Day 13 Arrive back in the UK. The walking on this holiday involves mainly city sightseeing on foot, however some walks will be out of the city on well maintained tracks. A good majority of the walking will be on flat terrain, though sometimes we will be walking on uneven, cobbled or undulating paths. Distances will vary depending on the location of the sights visited. We will use funicular railways and cable cars to reduce some of the walking time involved. Distances covered when sightseeing can be deceptive, but our holidays allow a large amount of flexibility in how much or how little you walk. Cape Town A magnificient city which not only boast the typical traits of other cities in the world, but also offers spectacular scenery and a diverse range of opportunities which many other cities would fail to offer. Pristine beaches and aqua-blue oceans, a mountainous backdrop with ample walking opportunities, in addition to the trendy restaurants, bars and boutique shops. The V&A Waterfront is a great place to go for a bite to eat or a drink, it is a five minute drive away from the hotel, and the hotel has a complimentary shuttle bus which you can book in advance to take you there, or a twenty - thirty minute beautiful stroll down the Sea Point Promenade. Five minutes walk away from the V&A is a shopping mall that has a supermarket, foreign exchange facility in addition to plenty of other shops that one may expect from a city. There are banks, a post office and several cashpoints too. Hermanus We take part in a garden tour, followed by tea/coffee, selections of sandwiches and a garden salad. Afterwards we will continue to our hotel in Hermanus. We will take dinner in a local restaurant. If you wish to visit Robben Island during our stay in Cape Town we advise that you book it in advance using the website below. The excursions operation is subject to sea conditions; if your excursion is cancelled they will offer to transfer you to another date/time, or will refund your ticket. www.webtickets.co.za/robbenisland Meals included today Breakfast, lunch & Dinner. Day 11 Our final full day will be spent at Fernklook Nature Reserve, located along the Kleinrivier Mountain Range. The famous Cliff Path cuts though the reserve, which offers breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean. In the reserve alone there are 1600 different species of fynbos, all of which are indigenous to the area, which
Franschhoek T he culinary capital of South Africa and renowned for its incredible hospitality, the winelands are a must when visiting the Western Cape. ocated forty six miles from Cape Town, Franschhoek is set in whimsical surroundings between two mountains in the valley; this is a valley rich in history centred around a picturesque village of friendly, welcoming people. Our hotel is located approximately one mile from the village of Franschhoek. Hermanus ocated on the Southern Coast of the Western Cape, Hermanus is a marine paradise. Known for its status as the best landbased whale watching destination in the African continent, it is a haven for all types of sea and wildlife. The southern right whales visit from June through to December, we may be lucky enough to hear the horn call of the Whale Crier if a whale comes into sight. We are in the heart of the village, so we are close to all local amenities. Accommodation President Hotel**** 4 Alexander Road, Bantry Bay Cape Town 8060, South Africa +27 21 4348111 reservations@presidenthotel.co.za / www.presidenthotel.co.za T he four star President Hotel is idyllically situated facing the Atlantic coast, offering wonderful views of Table Bay and the Atlantic shoreline. The hotel is decorated in a contemporary, sophisticated design and rooms are airy and spacious. President Hotel bedroom Hotel en-suite bedroom facilities include: Satellite TV, telephone, wireless internet access, electronic safe, mini bar, tea and coffee making facilities and kitchenette with microwave. Evening turndown service is provided, and bathrobes and slippers can be provided on request. All major credit cards are accepted. e Franschhoek Hotel & Spa***** 16 Minor Road, Parklands 7690 Franschhoek South Africa +27 21 876 8900 reservations@lefranschhoek.co.za / www.lefranschhoek.co.za e Franschhoek is a luxurious five star hotel and spa, situated in the world famous winelands. This really is a special hotel with an elusive charm and contemporary Cape Dutch feel. e Franschhoek Hotel & Spa President Hotel Hotel facilities include: The Senate Bar, Island Restaurant, outdoor terrace, hair salon and nail bar, spa services, outdoor infinity pool and a curio shop. The building and its rooms have a wonderful feeling of grandeur but do not compromise its relaxed atmosphere. It is a wonderful retreat in the centre of the winelands, and it makes a great base from which to explore. We will dine in their restaurant which offers an award winning wine list, perfect after a day looking around the vines!
Hotel facilities include: An infinity pool, and lookout terrace, which is one of the best whale watching sites in Hermanus. Breakfast is taken in the hotel and is both a scrumptious hot breakfast and fresh continental buffet. Dinners will be taken at a local restaurant. Bedroom at e Franschhoek Hotel & Spa Hotel facilities include: Three Restaurants, bar, laundry service, swimming pool, wellness centre and spa, transfer shuttle facilities and travel desk. Hotel en-suite bedroom facilities include: Air conditioning, telephone, TV, hairdryer, tea and coffee making facilities, electronic safe and internet connections. All major credit cards are accepted. Harbour House Hotel Hermanus**** No. 22 Harbour Road 7200 Hermanus South Africa +27 28 312 1799 book@harbourhousehotel.co.za / www.harbourhousehotel.co.za ocated in the most prominent position in the heart of the Old Harbour area and looking out to the ocean beyond. The hotel has both a historic thatched roof Manor House built in the 1920s, and a contemporary new wing, and a mix of luxurious, modern and sophisticated design throughout. Harbour House Hotel Hotel en-suite bedroom facilities include: Rooms are spacious and include a lounge area, kitchenette with kettle, toaster, microwave and tea and coffee making facilities. Nespresso machine, minibar, satellite TV, Air conditioning, telephone, hairdryer and wireless internet access. All major credit cards are accepted. Meals A ll breakfasts, seven dinners and three lunches are included in the price of the holiday. Plentiful breakfasts will be taken in the hotels; lunches and dinners will be taken as noted in the itinerary. When lunches are not included, normally these can be taken as a picnic or in a pleasant café or restaurant. When dinner is not included your Adagio eader will be more than happy to recommend and assist with dinner reservations. We suggest that you allow approximately 25 per head for an evening meal. You should allow approximately 6 a day for a reasonable packed lunch; lunch in local restaurants will cost more. ocal Sightseeing ocal transport costs and entrance fees are included in the holiday cost. We have a wonderful programme of walking, sightseeing, funicular and cable car trips (dependent on local conditions) to keep you busy along with plenty of opportunities to relax and enjoy your surroundings and the wonderful hotels. There will be time to indulge in all things that make South Africa famous! Harbour House Hotel We will have some energetic and relaxed days; some days will be spent leisurely walking around areas of special or historical interest, whilst on other days we may be walking on regular trails.
Adagio eader A n Adagio eader will accompany you throughout the holiday. They are all experienced travellers with a love and knowledge of the places you will visit. They are well-organised, pay great attention to detail and enjoy being with people. They are there to help make your holiday as enjoyable and stress free as possible. Passports, Visas & Insurance and other important information P lease make sure you are insured for guided walking below 2000m. You will need a full passport to visit South Africa and your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 30 days from the date of exit from South Africa. Although South African authorities state officially that only one blank passport page is required, some officials insist on two blank pages. You should therefore make sure you have at least two blank pages in your passport on arrival. Cable car Table Mountain What to bring W e recommend you bring the following items with you: Walking boots with a good sole and waterproof uppers. A good pair of walking shoes is ok if you know you have strong ankles. Waterproof jacket and trousers. It does rain sometimes! A sunhat, fleece hat and gloves to cover all weather eventualities - particularly when we head up into the mountains. It will be significantly cooler on the top of Table Mountain than Cape Town below. Sun cream. The sun can be very strong. A litre water bottle. A picnic lunch box, knife, fork and spoon, as required. A simple basic first aid kit. A daypack to hold all the above. Camera to capture those special Kodak Moments. Binoculars so that you can have a close up of the spectacular South African wildlife, particularly on the game drive and in Hermanus. South African plug adaptor. Evening wear in South Africa is smart casual. Passport, visa and health requirements can change at any time. It is your own responsibility to ensure that you inform yourself from a professionally qualified source on, and comply with, such requirements. Advice on vaccinations is available from your GP, or can be obtained from the Medical Advisory Services for Travellers Abroad (MASTA). In addition, general travel advice is available from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office at www.fco.gov.uk/travel. _ Travel Information W e fly from ondon Heathrow to Cape Town and return with British Airways. The flight is approximately 11 hours and 40 minutes. Details of your baggage allowance will be confirmed in your travel documents, sent to you approximately 10 days before departure. During the week we ll travel on foot, road, funicular and cable car. We will have private coach transfers. Transfer times between centres are as follows: Cape Town to the Winelands 40 min Winelands to Hermanus 1 hour & 30 min Hermanus to Cape Town Airport 1 hour & 30 min If you intend joining the party at our hotel in Cape Town and leaving the party at our hotel in Hermanus, we assume, unless you have advised us otherwise, that you will meet and leave the party at our hotels. If this is not your intention, please let us know in writing at least 5 weeks before departure. _ Maps, Books and Websites Various maps are available for the area and it is largely down to personal taste as to how much detail you would like. You may like to contact: The Map Shop 15 High Street Upton upon Severn, Worcs WR8 0HJ England Tel: 01684 593 146 Fax: 01684 594 559 Cape Dutch Farm Website: www.themapshop.co.uk E-mail: themapshop@btinternet.com
The Rough Guide to South Africa has several pages on the areas we plan to visit and lots of other in-depth information about the country. There is also a Rough Guide specifically for Cape Town and the Garden Route. Notes The South Africa tourism website, www.southafrica.net has lots of information on all sorts of things in the Western Cape including detailed information on Cape Town, Franschhoek and Hermanus. If you cannot find the maps or books locally we recommend: If you key many of the local places mentioned in this holiday fact sheet into YouTube (www.youtube.com), you will find a vast array of spectacular footage of the area. _ Holiday Dates 2017 Holiday: The Delights of Africa s Western Cape Tour Code: 58000 Departures for twelve nights on: Fri 10 November Booking and Further information Please call us on 01707 386700 or email us at info@adagio.co.uk Hermanus Sunset This document issued: 07 September 2016