Thursday, April 10, 2014

The Cape Winelands Make A Fabulous Vacation Spot

By Kyle Olsen


Anyone one loves wine, beautiful scenery and has a sense of adventure should consider a vacation in South Africa. This amazing country has so much to offer. From rugged coast line, to souring mountains and picturesque villages it truly is a travellers paradise. The local people also offer a warm welcome to all their guests and make them feel at home.

Just a short drive will take travellers to a region that has just about everything. Beautiful villages complete with picture perfect Dutch colonial buildings, incredible coast line and rugged mountains. The climate is just about perfect with warm dry summers and mild winters. It is perfect for many types of agriculture and for over three hundred years the Cape Winelands have been the center of production for the whole of the southern part of the African continent.

Over the past thirty years the wine route has become a very popular tourist destination. There are so many first class places to stay and every possible need is catered to. In addition to the local wines there is an abundance of freshly made local food, and places to stay that are suitable for the whole family.

By the early seventies the South African government realized that the region has a lot to offer both residents and tourists. The wine industry provided much needed jobs and revenue to a country that really needed help. In addition, the natural beauty and fabulous architecture was a draw for those travellers looking for something out of the ordinary. The combination of factors really has proved to be a winner and the wine trail now extends around the areas of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Robertson and Wellington.

After a hearty home cooked breakfast on the front porch, guests can enjoy a tour of the vine yards. They will learn all about how the grapes are grown and harvested. They can then move on to the processing plant where the wine is actually made. At the end of the tour there are special tastings so that the visitors can sample all of the wines produced on the farm. This is a fun and entertaining way to meet other travellers from all over the world.

The Franschhoek Valley region was initially settled by the French Huguenots over three hundred years ago. It is now home to over thirty wineries and farms. Visitors can stop by as part of the Wine trail that was developed back in the 1970's as a way to bring revenue to the area and promote the products. The spectacular scenery and beautiful accommodations really make it a five star vacation experience that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

The coastal area is particularly beautiful and allows the visitor to combine many elements into their vacation. There are day tours to go whale watching, fishing or surfing. Many people just want to enjoy the spectacular beaches or quaint cafes that dot the coast line.

South Africa has been through more than its share of turmoil, but the wine growing regions present a side of the country that is often overlooked. There is a wonderful history and heritage that in now a big part of the economic and cultural development. Fair trade is also a factor and many wines are produced under world wide agreements to promote sustainable agricultural development for everyone.




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