The scenic landscapes of the Winelands are a short drive from Cape Town. They can be explored on a day out, taking lunch at one of the famous wine estates; but many people prefer to savour the experience and prolong their stay. Alternatively, drive about 90 minutes to the east of Cape Town and you reach South Africa’s Whale Route, where Southern Right whales migrate from Antarctica each year between July and November
The Winelands
There is no shortage of outstanding boutique hotels and luxury guesthouses in the region.The most important Wineland towns are Stellenbosch, a living museum of Cape Dutch architecture, Paarl and charming Franschhoek, settled by French Huguenots in 1688, and surrounded by mountains on three sides with vineyards down every other back street.
The Whale Route
The Southern Right whales migrate from Antarctica to the waters off Hermanus each year between July and November. They calve in the sheltered bays of the east coast and Hermanus is one of the most accessible places in the world for land-based whalewatching. Whales breach, lobtail and engage in courtship rituals – often as close as 30 metres from the shore. There is magnificent coastal scenery, sandy beaches and wonderful displays of wild flowers in spring.
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