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The Cape wine lands are an absolute must for any wine enthusiast. With wine farms dating all the way back to 1685, the Constantia area is steeped in History, scattered with traditional Cape Dutch Homesteads and rolling vineyards. Viticulture was first introduced to the area by Simon van der Stel, effectively the first Coloured Governor of the Cape Colony, after whom the towns of Stellenbosch and Simon’s Town were also named. His “Vin de Constance” wine soon acquired a good reputation, it was Hendrik Cloete however, who brought the Contantia name to the forefront. After purchasing the Groote Constantia homestead in 1778, his unfortified wine made mostly from Muscat de Frontignan (Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains), Pontac, red and white Muscadel and Chenin Blanc was released to high acclaim.
Since then the farm has been sub divided into smaller units, each of which produce their own wines that are produced to the same exacting standards of Hendrik Cloete. The farm is however most famous for its Sauvignon Blanc.
Historically when referring to the cape wine lands it would include Stellenbosch, Paarl, Wellington and Franschhoek. Stellenbosch is a favourite amongst locals and tourists alike, situated about 25 minutes from Cape Town city center, it boasts unparalleled scenery and is surrounded by breathtaking mountain ranges. Stellenbosch is the second oldest town in South Africa. In its early years residents were encouraged to plant oaks, the very ones that today line the streets of the area known as “Eikestad”, which directly translated means “city of oaks”. Interestingly, some of these have even been named as national monuments.

There is also no shortage of quaint restaurants, coffee shops and delicatessens where one can relax and experience the town. When visiting these areas you have a wide variety of options for accommodation, be it self-catering holiday apartments or hotels, you’ll be able to find whatever suites your needs. I personally would recommend holiday apartments and plenty of time to take in the sights. Either way the Cape wine lands are a magical, once in a lifetime experience.

Of all the reasons to visit the southern tip of Africa, the blue train has to be one of the most magical and unique. Combining the majestic sights of the South African east coast with a mobile 5 star hotel, it offers the opportunity to experience a world of luxury, elegance and romance like nothing else. It is an all-inclusive luxury rail cruise and a fantastic getaway.
The Blue train in fact consists of two Blue Train sets.The first accommodating 74 guests in 37 suites and the second 58 guests in 29 suites. The train travels at 90km per hour, and each carries 31000 litres of water. The suites themselves are nothing short of spectacular, with each inclusive of it’s own bathroom with either shower or bath. The beds are also custom designed for the Blue train. As night falls, the suite is transformed into a romantic boudoir of soft, glowing light and fine cotton linen. There are also two lounges on each train, high tea is served each afternoon in the main lounge, while guests can relax over a post-prandial cognac in the club car.
This is truly a journey of a lifetime for those who enjoy the finer things in life. Personal service is of the highest standards in the world. As a guest, you have a dedicated butler available to you 24 hours a day for whatever needs may arise during your stay. Be it late night snacks or laundry, it’s all there waiting for you.
After picking up the award for Africa’s Leading Luxury Train at the recent World Travel Awards function held on the 7th July, The Blue Train proved once more why it’s considered the world’s best, by achieving yet another international award. It was voted the CONDÉ NAST TRAVELLER READERS’ FAVOURITE SPECIALIST TRAIN at the 12th Annual Readers’ Travel Awards, held at The Royal Institution of Great Britain in London.
If taking the Blue Train from Cape Town I would recommend staying a few days extra in Cape Town to experience the city. There are many options for self-catering accommodation, such as holiday apartment rentals, or you could live in luxury in one of the many 5-star hotels in the city.
Either way the splendor of the Blue Train is an invaluable experience for anyone looking for a unique and luxurious holiday.