The Festival of Music and Art happens every September, and for a cultural experience, townships tours, where you can buy genuine African curios and be welcomed African-style is also something that is offered the visitor. There are six magnificent golf courses to choose from- during the summer month’s outdoor live entertainment is offered at both the Spier and Oude Libertas amphitheatres, and with picnic baskets and wine, a relaxing, up-lifting evening is guaranteed. There are seven theatres throughout Stellenbosch, as well as plenty of restaurants offering varied, mouth-watering foods - a lot of them are on wine farms. One of these magnificent farms is Lanzerac Manor & Winery, a distinguished wine estate with a history spanning 300 years, offering 5 star service with a bewitching atmosphere.

Franschhoek (French corner), is where French cuisine, joie-de-vivre, good wines, and good fun blend. The French Huguenot Museum explains the region’s French origin, and Bastille Day is celebrated annually - described as one of the most picturesque villages in South Africa, this little valley offers the visitor everything. Situated in the centre of the enchanting village is The Franschhoek, a luxury boutique hotel offering 5 star service. At night the fairy lights twinkle along the main road, with superb restaurants offering a myriad of tastes, and during the day, golfing at one of their superlative golf courses, wine-tasting on horseback, hiking or mountain biking, or exploring the wonderful array of shops (including a Chocolaterie), are just some of the choices. It also has excellent fly-fishing facilities at the 1st Bells Fly Fishing Academy, or wild river fishing along the outstanding Berg River. With just 29 wine farms, and a host of accommodation facilities available, from self-catering to four stars, Franschhoek is the perfect base from which to explore the wine regions. Situated among the vineyards outside the village is Le Franschhoek Hotel & Spa, an ideal place to rest and unwind boasting a destination Camelot Spa.

The Paarl Valley Wine Route is small, but their world renowned wines are, to some, the best wines produced in South Africa. Residing in the beautiful Drakenstein valley of Paarl is Grande Roche, a 5 star luxury hotel homestead with a heritage that dates back to 1717. Adventure awaits in this surprising valley - horse back riding, 4x4 and mountain bike trails, hot-air ballooning over the stunning Berg River Valley, canoeing on the Berg River, fishing for black bass or trout, visiting the Bird Sanctuary, or playing golf at their outstanding 18 hole golf course, or hiking to see the ancient granite rock formations in the Paarl Valley Reserve, are just some of the day time activities one can enjoy - visiting close by Butterfly World, the Drakenstein Lion Park, Die Vonds Snake Centre, Wiesenhof Wild Park (you can also picnic here), Le Bonheur Crocodile Farm or Animalzone, are all child-friendly places of interest. The Paarl Taal (language) Monument is an impressive monument set up in the hills, commanding a stunning view of the valley, with facilities to picnic as well. Flanked by the majestic Simonsberg Mountains is the Santé Winelands Hotel & Wellness Centre, a 5 star holistic spa established on a working wine estate.

Somerset West wine region is the gateway to the rest of the wine regions, and also offers visitors the opportunity to hike or picnic, or perhaps to even catch a glimpse of the endangered Bontebok (antelope) at one of their three Nature Reserves. Surrounded by the imposing Hottentots and Helderberg Mountain ranges, playing golf at one of three splendid golf course, tennis, cricket, squash, pistol shooting range, shop, or visiting the amusing and delightful Monkey Town, are also part of the charm this region has to offer.

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