Go Beyond Travel and uncover South Africa's best-kept secrets with guest host and wine educator Tim Varan, as well as local (yet international) specialist Katie Barratt. Accommodated and pampered at our Winelands Estate Farm, Lorraine, discover a world where wine-making has been at the core of its colonial history, with winemakers brought from Europe in the 1600s. Today, the wine in South Africa boasts an incredible variety, made in historical estates and farms, surrounded by incredible scenery. Your days will be more than just a tasting as you will embark on a tour of the properties' history and enchanting settings.
A wine journey in South Africa would not be complete without its food pairing, and you are in for a treat as the country consistently ranks in the TOP 5 for its cuisine. Last, but not least, how can you be traveling so far and not experience a bush safari. There too, we have you covered.
After being transferred to your villa by our private driver, get acquainted with your home for the next 6 nights. Located in the town of Franschhoek (The French Corner), the property boasts everything you need for a comfortable and enjoyable stay. Late afternoon, we gather in the beautiful gardens of the estate for some of the best wines in South Africa presented by local sommeliers invited for this occasion. This is paired with an incredible dinner prepared by Chef Preeti.
This morning, after a hearty breakfast, we depart for our first winery. Today, we focus on the red varieties offered by many of the regions' estates, with a particular interest for the more rarely used Grenache, Malbec and Petit Verdot grapes in Franschhoek. After lunch held at the first winery, we continue our visit of the areas' best red producers. This time, with a visit to a second estate in the neighboring town of Stellenbosch. Tonight, dinner is served at the property, by the lake and under the stars. Expect a taste of the Cape Malay cuisine, paired with some of the finest wine in South Africa.
One could not visit Cape Town's Winelands and not explore the city. We have set aside the day for a morning cultural tour of Cape Town, followed by an afternoon of Beer & Gin at some of the city's best houses. Allow yourself to break away from wine for a few hours while we travel to some of Cape Town's best breweries and Gin makers and sample their top creations. As the sun sets, we make our way back to Franschhoek, stopping in Constantia for a foray around Katie's favorite and oldest winery. Dinner is served at the property by Chef Preeti.
After a slow start in the morning and a lovely traditional breakfast, we make our way to our first winery. Today our focus is on some of the region's best whites and bubblies (or Methode Cape Classic). Carefully selected by our wine experts, the two estates today will provide you a full experience of grapes such as Viognier, Semillon, Chenin Blanc and the less planted Pinot Gris. Lunch will be served in the middle of a vegetable garden, overlooking the surrounding mountains. Tonight, dinner is in town, at one of our favorite eateries. A variety of dishes will be served, freshly made from what the day's market brought in.
After breakfast, we depart for the coast. We head out to Hermanus where the wine fairy introduces us to some beautiful coastal wineries. The area has a high concentration of Wine Farms and Wine Estates, with the entire valley called Hemel-en-Aarde (Heaven and Earth) and rightly named too. It has outstanding mountain scenery and lush farmlands. On the way, we attempt to catch a glimpse of the whales making their way to the region to give birth. Tonight, dinner is served at the estate by Chef Preeti, who is pairing her dishes with coastal wines from today's visit.
Enjoy a morning at leisure relaxing at our home. Take a stroll in the lovely streets of Franschhoek or relax by the pool enjoying the property. This afternoon, for guests interested in doing so, we have organized horse riding in the vineyards of Franschhoek. Other guests may elect to bike instead, also including a full wine tasting experience. Tonight, to honor the 6 extraordinary days spent discovering some of the best wines the world has to offer, we have organized an incredible dining experience. This will combine some of the best South African culinary traditions, in one of our favorite vineyards.
This morning, you bid farewell to your hosts. Your journey to Kruger National Park begins. After a connecting flight to Kruger, our local team and friendly hosts greet and whisk you away to your luxury tented lodge for 3 nights. Your first game drive starts on arrival, followed by a sundowner and a 3-course dinner.
2 game drives as well as optional activities (walking safaris, massages).
2 game drives as well as optional activities (walking safaris, massages).
This afternoon, you are transferred to the local airport. Here you catch a flight to your internal gateway. Why not extend to the beautiful Victoria Falls? Or how about a different kind of safari, in Botswana's Okavango Delta? Let our journey curators design the perfect extension for you.
Everything was 5 stars… accommodations, food, excursions & the hosting people throughout our entire travels. This was a journey of a lifetime in the most comfortable, fun, educational & a-a-amazing fashion. This was our first journey with Art In Voyage and will not be our last. We plan on filling up some travels with more family & friends. I never thought I would enjoy a “group” travel, but being small & intimate was absolutely perfect, meeting some new forever friends. Thank you, thank you, Mikael!! XOXO
Our South Africa adventure was the trip of a lifetime! Every moment of the experience was well planned and carefully selected by Art In Voyage. Every venue offered exceptional care and quality in its service: the food! the rooms! the views! I felt like a VIP at every turn. I couldn’t recommend the trip and Art In Voyage more strongly!
Our day-to-day itinerary may, from time to time and prior to departure, need to be altered or slightly modified to address possible unforeseen logistical and weather challenges. In such rare instances, Art In Voyage guarantees delivery of the content of the itinerary yet, in a different order.
All listed retreats (hotels, villas, and barges) are, at times, subject to changes. In such rare instances, similar or higher standards will be upheld.
Travel insurance, once purchased, goes into effect upon payment of the premium. You have 15 days from that date to cancel it (providing no claims have been filed or initiated during that period). Beyond 15 days, it becomes non-refundable/non-changeable/non-transferrable.
In case of a cancelation at more than 90 days prior to departure, your deposit will be returned minus a $500 per person administrative fee.
In case of a cancelation within the penalty period: Find a replacement at least 30 days prior to departure and your journey will be fully refunded, minus a $500 per person administrative fee.
