#franschhoek

Bicycle racers on the run

Via Flickr

Die Winelands von Kapstadt fangen kurz hinter dem Tafelberg in den ältesten Weinanbauregionen in Südafrika an. Die Weinrouten verlaufen weiter bis nach Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Wellington und Paarl. Es ist eine wunderschöne Landschaft mit grünen, fruchtbaren Tälern, Pinien- und Eichenwäldern. Es gibt viele malerisch verschlafene Orte und bis zu 1500m hohe schroffe Bergformationen mit atemberaubenden Paßstraßen. Hier ist der Ursprung der kapholländischen Architektur und es gibt sehr schöne Weingüter, die fast alle eine Weinprobe und Führungen anbieten.

Cape Town's Winelands stretches just behind Table Mountain in the oldest wine growing regions in South Africa. The wine routes continue to Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Wellington and Paarl. It is a beautiful landscape with green, fertile valleys, pine and oak forests. There are many picturesque sleepy places and up to 1500m high rugged mountain formations with breathtaking pass roads. Here is the origin of Cape Dutch architecture and there are very beautiful wineries that almost all offer wine tasting and guided tours.

Cats in the land of the lion.

Katzen im Löwenland.

Well if summer in Cape Town is for swimming and soaking up the sun – then winter is definitely for wines and cosying up near a fireplace.

Temperatures are usually quite mild for winter in the mother city except for when it's raining, then it's usually freezing. The Cape receives rain in winter which makes it a winter rainfall area. Winter weather is pleasant when sunny, temperatures are around 18 and 20 degrees Celsius. The best time is around May and August. The city comes alive, it’s scenery turns green – the freshness and lushness of the landscape make for nature hiking and visits to many parks and gardens.

One notable would be the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is acclaimed as one of the great botanic gardens of the world. Few gardens can match the sheer grandeur of the setting of Kirstenbosch, against the eastern slopes of Cape Town’s Table Mountain.

Winter is also a perfect time to visit Cape Town, not only because it’s off season – there are lots of winter specials, from flights, hotels, restaurants and tour operators, but also there’s a lot of activities to do.

The cape wines are highly acclaimed and sought after award-winning wines. Wine tasting is a must do activity. The Franschhoek vineyards are a definite must – Babylonstoren is a quaint and beautiful place, their winery is world class. They have a mix of old world charm with a touch of ultra modern sophistication, case in point their ”glass boxed” tasting room overlooking one of the various vineyards.

Also worth mentioning is that Franschhoek is teeming with world-renowned farm to table restaurants.