The Franschhoek Valley

The Franschhoek Valley Trips & Tours

The Franschhoek Valley

Drop-dead-gorgeous vineyards, mountain views & the finest cuisine.

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The Franschhoek Valley Trips & Tours

A French-inspired village surrounded by superlative scenery, sun-drenched vineyards and unmatched restaurants

For a hedonistic few days of the best kind of indulgence – of food, of wine, of shopping and of breath-taking views – Franschhoek is the bees knees. A tiny yet incredibly buzzy village in the heart of the Winelands, it was established by French Huguenots in 1688 (the name literally means “French Corner”) and became an enclave of European culture and experience. Today, it’s the gastronomic capital of the country and home to the crème-de-la- crème of restaurants and wineries. From Michelin stars to foraged cuisine, and vineyards with boutique winemakers to picnics accompanied by a glass of something cold, epicurean delights abound – and they are all exquisite. Enjoy them from the wine tram, an old-fashioned rail car that rattles around the valley and stops at a selection of farms. Then, once you’ve tasted-tested your way around, take some time to enjoy the stunning natural scenery: mountainous Mont Rochelle reserve is the place to walk or hike in style (and admire the breath-taking views), or hire a bike and peddle around the farm paths and trails. And don’t forget a morning in the village, peeping into the cool-as-a-cucumber galleries and boutiques and sipping coffee and croissants, Parisian-style...

Things to do

What to do in The Franschhoek Valley

Food and wine are the lifebloods of the Cape Winelands and with hundreds of pristine vineyards and glossy restaurants to choose from, you’ll never (ever) want for something delicious. For true wine aficionados, book a wine tour with a specialised guide who will tailor your trip entirely to your tastebuds and take you to the hidden spots the guidebooks don’t mention. Otherwise, book a table somewhere fabulous and settle in for an afternoon of wine tasting and five-star food – or do a combination of both. Also look out for specialised pairings – wine and chocolate, cheese or biltong are favourites – and Methode Cap Classique tastings, South Africa’s answer to champagne. For something a little different, Franschhoek’s wine tram is a quirky way to explore a selection of the most iconic wineries, or you may prefer to saddle up – bikes and horses are on offer – and explore at a slower pace. Beyond the grapes, hikers will enjoy the stunning scenery and trails of Mont Rochelle (Franschhoek) and Jonkershoek (Stellenbosch), whilst in Elgin you may ‘zip’ along a series of wires amongst the trees and ‘sip’ wine as you go. Or simply enjoy a meander amongst the cafes, art galleries and boutiques of these little towns – that’s what a holiday is about after all!

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