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- Destinations
- Africa
- South Africa
- Cape Winelands
Cape Winelands
The extensive and verdant beauty of the Winelands region is one
of the Cape's most alluring attractions. No visit to Cape Town
would be complete without having taken the time to explore at least
one of the 13 wine routes in what is the largest wine-producing
area in the Western Cape.
Rugged, blue-tinged mountains surround the green valleys dotted
with charming, historic towns among vineyards and olive groves,
where visitors can admire traditional Cape Dutch architecture, sip
world-class wines and soak up the rich cultural and historical
heritage. Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl are the most well
known wine-producing valleys in the region, situated within easy
reach of each other, while the oldest wine farm in South Africa,
Groot Constantia, is located within the Mother City itself, and is
part of the tiny Constantia wine route, which was developed by
Simon van der Stel in the late 1600s. Other smaller wine routes
include Worcester, Tulbagh, Wellington and Somerset West. With a
selection of more than 200 cellars to choose from, the Cape
Winelands boast some of the finest wines in the world.
In addition to savouring the fruits of the vine, visitors can
sample superb culinary fare at some of the finest restaurants in
the country, browse the art galleries and local craft shops, visit
historic monuments and museums, and partake in an array of
activities from walking, horse riding and fly-fishing to golf and
paragliding. Food and wine festivals take place throughout the year
and are a great introduction to the bewitching charms of the
region.
Information & Facts
Climate
The Cape Winelands experience a Mediterranean climate with
weather in summer being hot and dry and winter being cold and wet.
The winter months, between May and August, experience heavy rains,
strong north-westerly winds and low temperatures. There is even
occasional snow on the surrounding mountains. The summer months are
characterized by warm, dry days with little wind in Cape Winelands.
The daily temperature in towns such as Paarl and Stellenbosch can
soar up to 100°F (38°C) during the hottest months of January to
March. The best time to enjoy the winelands is between the months
of October and February when temperatures are cooler and the heat
is bearable, while the winter months provide a cosier
alternative.
Language
South Africa has 11 official languages, including
Afrikaans, English, Xhosa, Zulu and Sotho. English is widely
spoken.
Money
South Africa's currency is the Rand (ZAR), which is divided into
100 cents. Money can be exchanged at banks, bureaux de change and
the larger hotels. ATMs are widely available (there is a daily
limit for cash withdrawals) and major international credit cards
are widely accepted, except in petrol stations where cash is
required. Visitors should be vigilant when drawing cash from ATMs,
as con artists are known to operate there. Travellers cheques and
some foreign currencies are accepted at larger hotels and shops,
but commission is charged, otherwise all commercial banks will
exchange them.
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