Wine Tour to South Africa 21st February - 1st March 2020

South Africa has some of the most beautiful scenery of any wine region of the world and late February is the perfect time to visit. This tour offers the highlights of the Cape Peninsula – the sights and spectacular setting of Cape Town, one of the most beautiful cities in the world; wine tastings in several different wine regions including Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Durbanville and Hemel-en-Aarde; a 2 night stay on a private game reserve, plus…..fabulous settings for meals, varied and dramatic landscapes and unforgettable coastal views. The Western Cape is all about wine, food and scenery. You won’t want to leave…

DRAFT ITINERARY (some winery visits are subject to confirmation):

Day 1: Friday 21st February
Morning arrival in Cape Town and own transfer to Cloud 9 Boutique Hotel & Spa Time to relax and freshen up. Afternoon orientation tour of Cape Town followed by a welcome Group tasting and dinner.

Day 2: Saturday 22nd February
Visit Durbanville Wine Region just half an hour from Cape Town. Visit Diemersdal winery in the morning for a tasting. Continue to De Grendel for lunch and tasting. Late afternoon return to Cape Town. Free evening. Overnight at Cloud 9 Boutique Hotel & Spa

Day 3: Sunday 23rd February
Leave Cape Town and head south-west passing through the regions of Elgin and Bot River to Walker Bay. Today we visit Springfontein winery for a tour and tasting followed by lunch in their highly regarded restaurant which is overseen by a Michelin starred chef! Continue to Hermanus, overnight at Harbour House Hotel Free evening

Day 4: Monday 24th February
This morning a tasting at a winery in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley. On our shortlist are Newton Johnson and Ataraxia. Then for a very special visit we will be welcomed by Anthony and Olive Hamilton-Russell for a tasting at the winery followed by lunch at their house. Late afternoon, return to Hermanus for some free time to enjoy the town. Free evening, overnight at Harbour House Hotel

Day 5: Tuesday 25th February
Depart Hermanus this morning and drive 300 kms east along the Garden Route. After a stop for lunch, early afternoon arrival at Botlierskop Game Reserve, our base for the next two nights. In the afternoon there will be a private Game Drive led by the in-house rangers accompanied by some liquid refreshments! The evening includes a buffet dinner in the grand dining room of the Firehouse Restaurant with a large variety of meats cooked by the team of chefs. Overnight at Botlierskop

Day 6: Wednesday 26th February
Optional early morning Game Drive followed by breakfast, or lie in, stay by the pool and relax! Mid-morning visit to a local winery, Boplass, who specialise in fortified wines and brandies. Return to Botlierskop with free time for lunch and relaxation, and maybe a spa treatment? Mid-afternoon there will be another Game Drive to a different part of the reserve. Dinner at the Firehouse Restaurant. Overnight at Botlierskop

Day 7: Thursday 27th February
After breakfast, check out and drive west back towards the main wine regions. We will stop in Robertson for a tasting and lunch at a winery. On our short list are De Wetshof, Van Loveren and Viljoensdrift. Late afternoon, arrive in the beautiful town of Franschhoek and check in at Marriott Protea Hotel. This evening is free to enjoy one of the many fine restaurants.

Day 8: Friday 28th February
A busy day today with visits to three wineries in the premier region of Stellenbosch, including lunch at one winery. On our shortlist are Rustenberg, Thelema, Tokara and more. Late afternoon return to Franschhoek and this evening is free to enjoy the town.

Day 9: Saturday 29th February
Check out of our accommodation and visit two wineries in Franschhoek including lunch at one. On our shortlist are La Motte, La Bri, Topiary and Glenwood. Late afternoon return to Cape Town and check into the Cloud 9 Boutique Hotel & Spa. Group farewell meal in the evening.

Day 10 Sunday 1st March
TOUR ENDS after breakfast. Free time for sightseeing – maybe a visit to Table Mountain, or Robben Island before transfer to the airport. Depending on your return flight time you could fit in a full day excursion to Boulders Beach, Chapmans Peak, Simonstown and Cape Point.

The Cost of this Tour is £2300 sharing a double or twin room. The supplement for single occupancy is £495, and the supplement for the room upgrade is £250 per person. The Tour costs includes:

9 nights’ accommodation - 7 nights’ bed and breakfast at 4 star hotels or guesthouses + 2 nights half-board at 5 star Botlierskop Game Reserve

9 main meals – 1 welcome dinner in Cape Town and 6 lunches at wineries each with 2-3 glasses of wine; 2 dinners at Botlierskop (drinks not included but BYO available)

Tastings at 11-12 different wineries (including the 6 where we will be having lunch)

2 Private Guided Game Drives with refreshments at Botlierskop

Executive air conditioned coach throughout the tour

Services of Christos as Tour Guide/Wine Expert throughout the tour

N.B. International Flights are NOT included (see Flights below)

ACCOMMODATION: These are the hotels we will be staying at:

Cape Town (3 nights) – Cloud 9 Hotel and Spa https://www.hotelcloudnine.com/ nestled at the foot of Table Mountain, this hotel is within walking distance of a variety of trendy shops and restaurants on vibrant Kloof and Long Streets. Nearby attractions include the V&A Waterfront, the cableway and Camps Bay. There is a spectacular rooftop bar with a 360-degree view of the city and Table Mountain and three on-site restaurants. There is also an art gallery, a fitness room, a spa with a sauna and three treatment rooms. Guests can relax on the sun deck and enjoy a splash in one of the plunge pools or the Jacuzzi.

Hermanus (2 nights) – Harbour House Hotel, see: http://www.harbourhousehotel.co.za/ Situated in the heart of the historical village this hotel’s understated luxury is offset by the soothing surrounds of the ocean. There is a magnificent swimming pool with 270 degree views over the ocean.

Bottlierskop Game Reserve (2 nights) http://www.botlierskop.co.za/ situated between the magnificent Outeniqua Mountains and unspoiled beaches of the Indian ocean, in the heart of the Garden Route, lies the 4000 ha Botlierskop Private Game Reserve in the Western Cape ensuring its visitors of a uniquely South African Luxury safari accommodation. This malaria free, family owned and privately operated game lodge is home to an abundance of animals including 4 of the Big 5, lions, elephants, buffalo's, giraffes, rhino's, hippo's, rare black impalas and more as well as a unique bird life. There is a swimming pool and a Bush Spa. Most accommodation here is in luxury tented suites.

Franschhoek (2 nights) – https://www.marriott.co.uk/hotels/travel/cptfr-protea-hotel-franschhoek/ This 4-star property has a rich history, with one section dating back to the 1880s. The hotel prides itself on its charming ambience, gracious style and attentive service. There is an outdoor pool and an on-site restaurant, the Hussar Grill which is an upmarket New York styled steakhouse offering an authentic grill room dining experience. There are numerous restaurants, bars and coffee shops within minutes’ walk and one of the best wine shops in all of South Africa next door!

ROOM UPGRADES: For more space and comfort there are 2 upgraded rooms available for double occupancy and the cost of the upgrades for 7 nights (not available at Protea Franschhoek) is £250 per person (based on 2 people sharing a room) – see further details in the Criterion Wine website

FLIGHTS: You will need to book your own international flights which will give you the flexibility to extend your stay/use airmiles/book premium class travel. See the Travel tab on the Criterion Wine website for more details

HOW TO BOOK THIS TOUR: RSVP and then go to https://criterionwinetours.com/product/south-africa-wine-tour/ Here you will complete the booking form and pay the deposit of £575 per person by debit or credit card (not AMEX). The balance is payable 8 weeks before the tour. The deposit is non-refundable so it is strongly recommended that when you book the tour you buy personal travel insurance at the same time in case you later need to cancel your place. The full booking conditions are on the Criterion Wine Tours website

POSTSCRIPT: South Africa is one of the most beautiful countries in the world and the quality and diversity of their wines have hugely improved during the last 15 years. The quality of food is also excellent and there will be plenty of opportunities for gourmet experiences. This is the 5th wine tour I have organised in the Cape and I am very excited to be going back. This tour offers a lot for the money including 2 nights at an expensive Game Reserve - check out the competition to see what great value the tour offers!

You can see the rave reviews of the 2015 Tour here: https://www.meetup.com/The-London-Wine-Dining-and-Travel-Meetup/events/200683662/