Stellenbosh is located in the heartland of South Africa’s winelands in the Western Cape. There are more than 140 wine estates to visit in the area, and a number of adventurous activities could keep clients busy for days. Not only is the area filled with natural beauty but, with stellar food, fine dining and wine flowing almost everywhere, this part of the country is a must-see for foodies, oenophiles and adventurers alike.
Check In at Lanzerac Hotel & Spa
Clients can check-in to one of the 48 rooms and suites at the Lanzerac Hotel & Spa, located on the outskirts of Stellenbosch and just a 30-minute drive from Cape Town. The 300-year-old hotel situated on a 383-acre wine estate features three dining areas, three outdoor pools and luxurious accommodations. Guests can take advantage of daily wine tasting and cellar tours at the estate, as well as other scenic tours, golfing, mountain climbing and biking trails. The hotel also features a business center, the Esquire Cigar & Whisky Lounge, Craven Lounge, a helipad and babysitting services, in addition to a spa.
Lanzerac Hotel & Spa
www.lanzerac.co.za
Have a Laugh With Dr. Fish
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Dr. Fish Pedicure without the laughter //
(c) 2010 Janeen Christoff |
The Lanzerac Spa recently introduced the Doctor Fish Spa Therapy. A new trend for spa-goers, this unique skin exfoliating treatment uses tiny fish called Garra rufa obtusa who nibble on the skin and whose healing enzymes excreted through their mouths are a perfect means for exfoliation and the healing of such ailments as psoriasis and other dry-skin conditions.
The treatment, which originally started in Turkey and Syria, leaves rough, dry skin soft to the touch. While the actual description of the procedure may sound scary to some, the ticklish mouths of the suckling fish inspire hysterical laughter in all who dare to drop their feet, hands or entire bodies into the pools of fish. And nothing says therapy like a half-hour of uncontrollable giggling. For the most fun, come with a group of friends. The experience is sure to leave an impression.
For clients into more traditional therapies, the Lanzerac Spa also provides a full range of treatments.
Lanzerac Spa
www.lanzeracspa.co.za
Lunch at Apprentice
After an exciting Dr. Fish mani-pedi, clients can head into town for a bite to eat. In the heart of town, Apprentice is owned by the Institute of Culinary Arts and is a living classroom where students showcase the skills they have learned in all aspects of the hospitality industry. A rotating menu features Mediterranean-style cuisine, and food is prepared with ingredients sourced from local farms. Sommeliers assist students with wine and food pairing, and students have the opportunity to wow guests with their innovative thinking and creative flair.
Apprentice
www.icachef.co.za
Walking Tour of Stellenbosch
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Stellenbosch // (c) 2010 Janeen Christof |
Clients may want to walk off their hearty meal, and in that case, head to the Tourism Office for a guided or self-guided city tour. Guided tours of the city leave at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., daily. For a self-guided tour, clients can purchase a copy of the “Stellenbosch on Foot” map and follow the simple instructions. Highlights include the Village Museum and “Oom Samie se Winkel,” or Uncle Samie’s Shop, the oldest general store in South Africa. Stellenbosch also boasts a variety of small, private art galleries that feature local artists. Art lovers may also be interested in The Stellenbosch University Art Museum on Ryneveld Street or the Rupert Museum that houses a collection of South African and international art.
Stellenbosch Tourism
www.stellenboschtourism.co.za
Wine Drive at the Waterford Estate
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Land Rovers drive clients to see the vines at the Waterford Estate //
(c) 2010 Janeen Christoff |
Nothing says South Africa like going on a game drive and, at the Waterford Estate, wine lovers can get the best of both worlds with the Waterford Estate Wine Drive. In a safari-style Land Rover, guests are guided around the sprawling vineyard and told about the estate’s practice of sustainable agriculture. As part of its biodiversity program, guides show visitors how they aim to achieve an organic approach to wine farming. Guests also have the opportunity to sample wines made from the vines on the estate, and they are encouraged to touch, feel and even smell the soil around them to get a true sense of what goes into every bottle. At the end, clients enjoy a sampling of wine, snacks and stunning vistas of Table Mountain and Constantia, where wine production in South Africa began in 1652.
Waterford Estate
www.waterfordestate.co.za
Dinner at Moyo
Located on the Spier Estate, Moyo’s Stellenbosch location offers a unique buffet-dining experience. Set in a forest of ancient oaks, the whimsical African decor transports guests into another world. Menu items feature foods from around the continent, such as Moroccan tagine, South Africa’s famous peri-peri chicken and a Tunisian mixed grill. Moyo is part of a chain of restaurants around the country and also features live entertainment and a retail store with unique African souvenirs.
Moyo
www.moyo.co.za
