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The area lying in a shallow basin between the Hottentots-Holland
and Helderberg mountains is known as the Helderberg. This area has its own
wine route. Somerset West, 48 km
from Cape
Town on the N2, is situated in the foothills of the Hottentots-Holland mountains.
The historic Vergelegen Wine Estate has a beautifully restored Cape Dutch manor house. The Helderberg Nature
Reserve is well known for its fynbos and many bird species. The Erinvale Golf
Course, near Somerset West is one of the finest in the country. Strand, a resort
town on the shores of False Bay, has beautiful beaches,
a wide range of hotels and a championship golf-course. Gordon's
Bay, 6 km further on the coast road from the Strand,
is a picturesque harbour-town with a steep mountain backdrop. The Steenbras
Dam, surrounded by pine forests, offers numerous recreational activities. The
coastal road from Gordon's Bay winds its way past Rooi Els and Hangklip to Betty's
Bay, and offers spectacular views of False Bay and the Cape
Peninsula. The Four Passes Route, a circular scenic drive of 230 km from
Cape Town, comprises the Helshoogte, Franschhoek,
Viljoen's and Sir Lowry's Passes. The route provides some of the most breathtaking
panoramas of the Western Cape.
Stellenbosch, only
a 30-minute drive from Cape Town, is the second oldest town
in South Africa,
and famous for its wines, historical buildings, oak-lined streets and university.
The settlement was established in 1679. The town contains many fine examples
of historic Cape Dutch
architecture, all of which have been carefully restored. The finest examples
of the town's architectural heritage can be found in the oak-lined Dorp
Street and around the town square – the `Braak”. Stellenbosch
University has produced many South African business
leaders, academics and sporting heroes, including over 150 rugby Springboks.
Stellenbosch is also a cultural centre,
and is home to many galleries and museums. The town offers a large number of
outdoor and adventure activities, including hiking trails, mountain-biking routes
and a number of championship golf-courses. The Stellenbosch
Wine Route is arguably the most famous in South Africa, and includes
over 300 members, of which more than 100 farms are open to the public. For
further information, contact Stellenbosch Tourism Phone: 021 883 3584 E-mail:
eikestad@iafrica.com or visit www.stellenbosch.org.za
Just over the Helshoogte
Pass from Stellenbosch,
Franschhoek has a rich cultural and
historical heritage, dating back to 1688 when 200 French Huguenots were granted
land in the area. Franschhoek is known
as the food and wine capital of the country. The town continues to attract
some of South Africa's
best chefs and its restaurants regularly feature in the country's “Top 100”.
Situated on the banks of the Berg River,
Franschhoek is breathtakingly beautiful,
set against a backdrop of the towering Franschhoek and Drakenstein
Mountains. The valley is spectacular and contains many historical
homesteads, the most notable of which is Boschendal. The Huguenot
Memorial Museum and the Huguenot
Monument commemorate the arrival of the Huguenots in
South Africa. The main street is lined with restaurants,
shops, galleries and coffee shops, serving delicious freshly baked confections.
For further information, contact Franschhoek Vallée Tourisme Phone: 021 876
3603 E-mail: info@franschhoek.org.za or visit www.franschhoek.org.za
Paarl, situated on the banks
of the Berg River,
is overlooked by a huge granite dome at the summit of the adjoining mountain.
The Main Street is lined with shady
oak trees and historical buildings dating back to the 18th century. The Taalmonument
(Afrikaans language monument) recognises the role played by pioneers living
in the Paarl district, in the development of the language. The Paarlberg Nature
Reserve is filled with disas and proteas. For further information, contact
Paarl Tourism Bureau Phone: 021 872 3839
Wellington is situated at the base of the
Bainskloof Pass.
It is well known for its vine nurseries, leather products, dried fruit industry
and picturesque wine and fruit farms, as well as the Wellington
Wine Route.
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