T.C. Southwell - Work Samples - Travel writing, wine routeWine Lands With its natural beauty, rich cultural heritage and world-renowned wines, the Winelands, on the Cape wine route, is the best that the Cape has to offer. This area, where pictorial mountains form a magnificent backdrop to rich vineyards and gabled Cape Dutch homesteads, is a mere 45-minute drive from Cape Town. Experience the wonderful hospitality and splendour of Stellenbosch, Wellington, Paarl, Franschhoek and Pniel. Saunter down the oak-lined streets of Stellenbosch, the second oldest town in the country, and soak up its delightful ambience at your leisure. Our diverse history is written in the superbly restored Georgian, Cape Dutch, and Victorian buildings. The Huguenot Memorial and Afrikaans Language Monument, as well as the many outstanding museums, provide a fascinating glimpse into the past. Around 65 million cases of excellent wine are produced in South Africa each year, and some of the best come from the wineries on the wine route. You can taste the fruit of the vintner's labour in the glorious countryside, or join the winemaker on a guided tour of his cellar. With its splendid mountains and verdant valleys, the wine route has much to offer nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. Hike through the many nature reserves in the area and marvel at the indigenous fynbos to be found here. Enjoy the thrill of mountain biking, or relax beside a lazy river and catch trout. Discover new trails on horseback or float over this breathtaking scenery in a hot-air balloon, the choice is yours. The wine route also boasts some of the finest restaurants in the Cape, which offer everything from traditional fare to more exotic meals. Other culinary delights on offer are cheese, olives, herbs, berries and much more. World-class restaurants offer tea and scones or nouvelle cuisine to revive taste buds weary from sampling the myriad wines available. Copyright (C) 2008 by T C Southwell All rights reserved
|