Mont d'Or Franschhoek

The Cape Winelands: 2 Nights

South Africa is today one of the major producers and exporters of wines worldwide, and has been producing wine since the middle of the 17th century. The Cape Winelands region is set amongst rolling mountain slopes and valleys, with classic colonial style architecture which is some of the oldest surviving in South Africa.

There are literally scores of wine estates, and staying in the area will give you the chance to either search out the labels you are familiar with from home or to go on a voyage of discovery and find new favourites.

The major wine producing areas in the region are around Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Paarl, Wellington and Constantia. There are well established wine routes in each of the major areas which take in a wide range of wine estates, many of which have daily wine tastings, cellar tours and restaurants serving lunches which are open daily to anyone passing by.

Just metres away from the historic town centre, Mont d'Or Franschhoek is within walking distance from Franschhoek’s enviable variety of restaurants, museums, monuments, exclusive shops, art galleries – and the famous wine tram, of course.

There are just 11 rooms in total, and each room is decorated in a unique style. A great way to experience the charms of this renovated 19th century Cape Dutch house is to stay in one of the loft rooms. Beneath the sloping roof, under exposed wooden beams, these rooms are wonderfully charming and snug. One of the loft rooms has two single beds, while the other has a double.  There are also 5 double rooms on the ground floor of the guest house, with 3 more in the garden cottage overlooking the pool. There is also one honeymoon/family suite which open up directly onto the garden, with a double room on the ground floor and 2 additional single beds on the mezzanine floor.

Facilities include complimentary Wi-Fi access, a swimming pool and secure parking.

Auberge Burgundy

Hermanus: 2 Nights

Located on the south coast and within a 2 hour drive of Cape Town, Hermanus and Gansbaai are amongst the world's leading destinations for both land-based and boat-based whale watching. From June to December each year, whales can be seen as close as 20m from the shore and can come right up to the side of the whale watching boats.

With excellent accommodation options, fine restaurants and a glorious coastline in addition to the attraction of getting within a few metres of some of the largest animals ever to have lived on this planet, this is a place that every visitor to South Africa should try to see.

Hermanus is a pretty town and the local 'Whale Crier' walks the streets during the whaling season, informing visitors when the whales are present with a blast on his kelp horn. At the Old Harbour Museum, an underwater microphone transmits the whale songs and calls into the museum hall for everyone to hear. Don't miss Bientang's Cave restaurant, where you can watch whales less than 100m away whilst eating an excellent seafood lunch. Other good vantage points are from the Old Harbour wall or the cliff path.

Gansbaai, 50 km from Hermanus, is the starting point for more boat-based whale watching, as well as cage diving with great white sharks, as well as trips to the Dyer Island seal colony.

The Auberge Burgundy Guest House is a charming Provencal style establishment with fragrant courtyards and stone terraces. It is set above the picturesque Old Harbour in the historic heart of Hermanus (the hub of the famous Whale Coast). The guest house is surrounded by restaurants, craft markets, boutiques, art galleries and quaint shopping malls, and the cool blue sea of Walker Bay is just 50m from the doorstep.

Guests are offered a variety of accommodation options. The Middle Room is the smallest room type, situated on the first floor in the Main House. It has an en-suite bathroom with a shower, and whilst it does not have a balcony, it does have lovely mountain views and looks over Hermanus Town.

There are 13 Standard Rooms - 10 in the garden and 3 around the pool.  5 of the garden rooms are situated on the first floor and have balconies, and the other 5 open out onto the garden. The 3 Standard Rooms around the pool obviously have pool views!

The 2 Standard Suites are situated in the Main House, and have a lounge area and a balcony with views over Walker Bay.  The Poolside Suite has a separate lounge with a fireplace, a kitchen area, and a stunning sea view from the lounge balcony. The 2 Penthouse Suites can be interleading if required, and have sea views.

The Turbine

The Garden Route: 3 Nights

The Turbine Hotel and Spa is a boutique 5* hotel in Knysna which offers guests luxurious accommodation options, exceptional cuisine, stunning panoramas, and a range of world-class facilities.

This exceptional boutique hotel is situated on the picturesque Thesen Island, within the scenic Knysna estuary, a location which is considered by many to be one of the most the prestigious on the Garden Route.

The hotel was an ambitious project which transformed an old power station into a unique boutique hotel. All the old machinery which was used in this power station has been loving restored and forms an integral part of the hotels aesthetics.

The Island Cafe restaurant serves up extraordinary dishes from a diverse a la carte menu. The Tapas and Bar Deck allows guests to enjoy watching the sun go down, whilst sipping on something from the extensive drinks menu, and filling up on a wide variety of bite-sized snacks. Also featured on-site is the recently established Col'caccio pizzeria, which produces mouth-watering Italian cuisine.

The hotel offers guests a choice of 17 Standard Rooms, 6 Luxury Rooms, a Honeymoon Suite, and a self-catering Water Club Apartment.

The Amani Spa is one of the finest on the Garden Route, offering guests a wide variety of relaxing treatments including massages, facials, hydrotherapy treatments, and more.

The hotel's Turbine Water Club has partnered with prominent adventure companies to provide guests with the best Knysna water-based activities, including pontoon cruises, fishing charters, eco-safaris and kayak hire.

The PortsWood

Cape Town: 4 Nights

Nestled at the foot of the majestic Table Mountain and bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, Cape Town is consistently voted amongst the top cities in the world to visit and it is no surprise that this wonderful city is one of the highlights of a holiday to South Africa. The climate is Mediterranean, with mild winters and hot summers.

One of the main tourist attractions is the tastefully restored V&A Waterfront with its many shops, bars and restaurants. There is also an aquarium and one of the largest craft markets in Southern Africa. Boats offer tours of the harbour from the quayside and the whole place is always buzzing with life and activity. The City Bowl is home to many museums and historical buildings which can all be viewed from a 'topless' hop on/hop off tourist bus, complete with interesting commentary as you ride around the city.

The adventurous can climb up (or abseil down) Table Mountain, windsurf or kitesurf at Bloubergstrand Beach, dive in shark tanks, or do any one of a dozen more adrenalin pumping activities. For a more relaxed pace of life, there are miles of sandy beaches for soaking up the African sun, or enjoy a quiet stroll through the beautiful Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.

Situated adjacent to the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town's premier entertainment and tourist attraction, the PortsWood is an oasis of calm and comfort alongside the active nightlife and vibrant restaurants of the Waterfront.

The PortsWood's success has been due to its superb service and excellent location. The hotel also is part of Cape Town's rich history, as the restaurant and lobby are built around a 300 year old well and the cells which held prisoners on their way to Robben Island.

The PortsWood offers a choice of Studio Rooms, Standard Rooms, Deluxe Rooms and Suites.

There is also a swimming pool for guest's enjoyment - ideal for relaxing by and sipping a cocktail after a day exploring the sights of Cape Town. The spa offers a range of treatments and a steam room.

The Quarter Kitchen is a relaxed, elegant restaurant offering an à la carte breakfast and comprehensive à la carte lunch and dinner menu specialising in Malaysian/Cape Malay Cuisine. For those who prefer the luxury and comfort of their rooms, room service is available 24 hours a day.

Simbavati River Lodge

Timbavati Game Reserve: 3 Nights

Simbavati River Lodge is an intimate and friendly camp built on the banks of the seasonal Nhlaralumi River in the heart of the world famous Timbavati Game Reserve. The focus is on the excellent Big 5 game viewing, breathtaking views, friendly and knowledgeable staff in an environment where guests are made to feel comfortable and relaxed from the moment they arrive.

Simbavati River Lodge offers game drives in the early morning and evening to ensure game viewing when the animals are most active. Game drives are conducted by experienced rangers and Shangaan trackers in open 4x4 vehicles, with excellent photographic opportunities. Enjoy sightings of lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo as well as other species such as kudu, zebra, warthog, giraffe, monkey to name a few. Nocturnal animals, including the big cats, are regularly sighted on night drives. Bird viewing is spectacular, with over 360 recorded species including various eagles, vultures, kingfishers, buzzards and owls.

Accommodation consists of 6 luxury en-suite safari tents with plunge pools on the deck, 2 tented pool suites and 3 thatched family chalets. The tented accommodation has views of the bush from your own private viewing deck and are spaced adequately far apart to ensure complete privacy. The family chalets include a master bedroom, a twin bedroom as well as a private viewing deck. One of the family chalets can accommodate 5 people, while the other two can accommodate 4 people.

The pool suites have canvas walls, glass doors and windows which open onto a wooden deck and a private plunge pool.

Breakfast and lunch are served daily outside on the wooden deck, set out under age-old jackalberry and leadwood trees, combining African and Western cuisine offering exciting new tastes for the more adventurous as well as for the more conventional preferences. A traditional dinner is served around the campfire in an open-air boma, an experience not to be missed.

Other guest areas include a generously proportioned lounge and bar. During the mid-day heat, recline in a sun lounger or take a dip in the swimming pool.