Welcome to Franschhoek
French Huguenots settled in this spectacular valley over 300 years ago, bringing their vines with them. Ever since, this Winelands town has clung to its French roots, and July visitors will find that Bastille Day is celebrated here. Franschhoek bills itself as the country’s gastronomic capital, and you’ll certainly have a tough time deciding where to eat. Plus, with a clutch of art galleries, wine farms and stylish guesthouses thrown in, it really is one of the loveliest towns in the Cape.
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Franschhoek activities
Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl Valley Wine Day Trip
Leaving Cape Town you'll start the day with a visit to Paarl and the spectacular Paarl Valley. Here you can enjoy a wine tasting and cellar tour at one of the local estates. The tour continues to the beautiful village of Franschhoek, deep in the Cape Winelands, surrounded by vineyards, verdant valleys and rolling mountains. Fantastic Cape Dutch Architecture remains preserved in the town thanks to restrictions that help retain the spirit of the original Huguenot settlers. We will stop in Franschhoek for lunch (for guest's own expense) and another wine tasting at an excellent wine estate.Then it's on to Stellenbosch, the second oldest town in South Africa and the historic heart of the country's wine region. The final wine tasting will take place here at one of the well-known estates. The red grape variety Pinotage is unique to the area, but all the classics are represented here: Shiraz, Chardonnay and Semillon.With the air scented with sweet grapes and the trees softly swaying in the wind, the Cape Winelands is a wine lover's paradise and a truly relaxing way to spend the day!Please note: this tour may run in reverse.
Cape Winelands Private Tour and Tastings from Cape Town
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: Cape Town Wine ToursThe wine regions- Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl will be visited with a tasting of 5 wines in every region together with city tours and scenic drives.Duration: 8 hours
Cape Winelands with Stellenbosch: Private Tour from Cape Town
ItineraryThis is a typical itinerary for this productStop At: Stellenbosch UniversityA campus drive will be conducted after a city tour -5 wines will be sampled at a beautiful wine estate in the Stellenbosch region.Duration: 2 hoursStop At: Franschhoek PassAfter a Main Street drive along interesting galleries the tour will take you to a viewpoint in the pass to capture the scenic beauty of the town on camera. 5 excellent wines will be tasted.Duration: 2 hours
Western Cape Wine Tasting and Culinary Tour from Cape Town
Departing your accommodation, you're taken along the Stellenbosch Wine Route to the Zevenwacht Wine Estate, located about 20 minutes from Cape Town. Admire scenery that is completely different from the landscape of the Cape Peninsula. Numerous grapes are grown in the region, such as chenin blanc, shiraz, pinotage, and the méthode cap classique (sparkling wine). Upon reaching the small but vibrant town of Stellenbosch, enjoy your first tasting at a wine cellar.Next up is the Marianne Wine Estate, located in Franschhoek, an old Huguenot village translated as the 'French Corner.' You will be enchanted by the town's charm and tranquil atmosphere while you taste of the region's best wines and cheeses.En route to Paarl, your guide will point out Drakenstein Prison, a low-security prison where Nelson Mandela spent the last part of his sentence for campaigning against apartheid. On arrival in the town, which offers a fascinating window into Afrikaner cultural traditions, learn about the former haven for Huguenot pioneers who came from Europe at the beginning of the 17th century. Your day trip ends with the return to Cape Town and drop-off at your hotel.
Full-Day Winelands Tour with Tastings from Cape Town
You will be picked up at your accommodation between 09:00 and 09:30 AM by a tour guide/driver in a luxury minibus and head off on an all-inclusive, full day Cape winelands tour. Follow the Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek wine route in all its splendor and enjoy lunch surrounded by vineyards. You’ll enjoy wine tasting at up to 5 wine estates, 3 of which wine tasting fees are included, and will also visit monuments, enjoy a town orientation tour in Stellenbosch and explore the town of Franschhoek. Travel along the scenic N2 and stop at DeMorgenzon wine estate in Stellenbosch for the first wine tasting of the day. DeMorgenzon is unique in that they have musical speakers scattered across the vineyards from which soft classical music can be heard. They also produce one of the best Chenin Blanc wines in the region. (Wine tasting fees included) From there, proceed to one of the oldest towns in South Africa, Stellenbosch, for a town orientation tour. Continue to Marianne Wine Estate in Paarl to experience biltong and taste their wines. Marianne believes that pairing different types of biltong with red wine enhances the flavors of their wines. (Wine tasting fees included) Continue to Fairview Vineyards and Goats Cheese for a cheese and wine tasting. Purchase your favorite cheese and condiments from the deli, as well as wine from a choice of 3 ranges in the tasting room. (Wine tasting fees included) As you follow along this route you’ll stop in front of Drakenstein Prison to see the Nelson Mandela monument. This prison is where Nelson Mandela spent his last days of incarceration before his walk to freedom. Next you’ll have a chance to explore the town of Franschhoek, known as the food and wine capital of South Africa. It is home to some of the finest restaurants and wine estates in the country. Learn about the French influence on the Cape winelands and explore a bit of the town itself. Take a break for lunch (at your own expense) and later visit the Mont Rochelle wine estate owned by Sir Richard Branson. (Wine tasting fees excluded = R50.00 per adult) Your last wine tasting for the day will be at Delaire Graff, known as the jewel of the Cape winelands. (Wine tasting fees excluded @ R50.00 per adult) Afterwards, you’ll head back to Cape Town and be dropped off at your accommodation.
Full-Day Franschhoek Valley Guided Wine Tour including Wine Tram from Cape Town
Your day tour starts with hotel pickup in Cape Town for the transfer to Franschhoek Valley, home to picturesque vineyards, fine wines and cuisine, and a centuries-old history. As you board the Franschhoek Wine Tram, look forward to stops at two distinguished wine estates, with the chance to explore the wine farms with their charming heritage and natural scenery and also enjoy two wine tastings and a delicious lunch (food and drinks, except for two included wine tastings, are at your own expense). Franschhoek is home to a variety of cellars, from boutique wineries to large operations. Enjoy award-winning varietals, from plump reds to elegant whites to sparkling wine, as well as fantastic Franschhoek cuisine that the area is acclaimed for. Your storytelling guide takes you on a tour through Franschhoek village, sharing with you the fascinating history of the French Huguenots as you visit the Huguenot Memorial Museum (museum visit for 2018 season only). You'll also learn about wine cultivation in the valley as you take in views of the vineyards. When the Huguenots first settled in Franschhoek Valley more than 300 years ago, they brought with them their knowledge and traditions of winemaking and viticulture from their home country of France, transforming their Franschhoek surroundings into one of the most beautiful valleys around. This proud heritage is still evident today in the village and farms. For 2019 season: the tour will include a visit to the well-known Cape Dutch Farm, Babylonstoren. When your time in the valley is up, you'll return to Cape Town to end your tour.