Gastronomic Getaway to Leading Cape Town Wine Estates

Wineland countryside in South Africa

What to expect on this itinerary

Cape cuisine is steeped in South African heritage, and it brilliantly retains the authentic traditions while pioneering diverse creativity. Furthermore, the greater Western Cape region has played a significant role in influencing the country’s viticulture. The city and neighboring towns boast world-class wine routes complete with prestigious estates and immaculate vistas of the sprawling landscape and rugged mountains. On this 9-day trip, you will revel in award-winning meals that are paired with exceptional wines to uncover the history behind the pinnacle of Cape destinations. For the devoted foodies and cultured wine connoisseurs, the distinguished flavors of the greater Cape region await you and your palate.

Countries Visited

South Africa

Places Visited

Cape Town, Paarl, Franschhoek, Stellenbosch

Suggested Duration

9 Days

Customizable Itinerary

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Day 1

Cape Town – The Constantia Charm

Cape Town is a highly sought-after destination and, and as you swoop down over the Western Cape, you will quickly realize why. Rugged mountain ranges tower up from the Earth, and white sand beaches sprawl across the coastline to lead into turquoise waters. The city, which is nestled at the foot of Table Mountain, blends sophistication and traditional charm. You will witness all of this and more as you peer out over the greater Cape Town region.

You will meet your private transfer shortly after landing at Cape Town International Airport. Grab your belongings and settle into a first-class vehicle for a comfortable scenic drive to the Constantia suburb. Constantia is a premier destination that is situated beneath the striking Table Mountain. It is a beautiful area which boasts luxurious 5-star guesthouses. Furthermore, it is home to Cape Town’s world-renowned wine estates. Set amongst rolling green hills and surrounded by indigenous wildlife, this tranquil village will be the perfect place to call home. Upon arrival, you will check-in to your luxurious villa. Stunning vistas of the evergreen fields and imposing mountain range will welcome you from your private balcony.

You will transfer to an award-winning restaurant in the evening. The Michelin Style restaurant, which is located in the heart of the Constantia Valley, will offer an elegant taste of South African cuisine. You will catch the scent of tantalizing dishes as they are prepared by the master chef. The delectable candlelit dinner will be splendidly paired with prestigious local wines, and a toast to your adventure ahead will bring the evening to a perfect end.

What's Included:

Transfer
Accommodation
Breakfast
Day 2

Cape Town – The Origins of Cape Viticulture

Day 3

Paarl – Paarl’s Precious Heritage

Day 4

Paarl – A World-Renowned Wine Route

Day 5

Franschhoek – Discovering the Classics

Day 6

Franschhoek – Wine Tasting by Tram

Day 7

Stellenbosch – Agricultural Excellence

Day 8

Stellenbosch – Stellenbosch’s Immersive Flavors

Day 9

Cape Town – Sights from Great Heights

Trip Highlights

  • Experience the elegance of authentic South African haute cuisine at an array of award-winning, Michelin-style restaurants
  • Discover the viticulture origins of the Cape and the distinguished flavors of its pioneering estates in Constantia
  • Uncover Paarl’s rich European heritage and visit its world-renowned wine farms for a sophisticated tasting experience
  • Revel in the thriving Cape coffee culture with trips to leading roasters
  • Traverse the magnificently rugged Franschhoek Valley in the comfort of a luxurious restored vintage automobile
  • Awaken your senses to the exceptional flavors of Franschhoek’s delightful wine route during a unique tram tour of the region
  • Learn more about the sustainable agricultural heritage of Stellenbosch and enjoy gourmet farm grown cuisine
  • Journey to the premier wine estates for a completely engaging tasting experience, complete with marvelous charcuterie boards and captivating activities
  • Witness the stretching Stellenbosch vineyards during a Segway tour

Detailed Description

Your wine and gastronomic tour of Cape Town will begin amid the rolling green hills of the Constantia suburb. Home to some of the Western Cape's oldest wine estates, this premier destination offers an authentic look into the deep viticulture roots of the city. During your stay at a 5-star villa in the valley, you will encounter picturesque vistas of the imposing Table Mountain and landscape. You will transfer to leading restaurants for gourmet dining experiences and participate in an in-depth wine tour of the famous Constantia Wine Route. The tour will shed light on the destination’s winemaking heritage. Furthermore, you will delve into the rich flavors of the Cape’s foremost vintages and blends.

You will transfer to the age-old town of Paarl during the third day of your trip. Here, you will discover the spotlessly kept museums and monuments which highlight the town’s European influence. An afternoon tea under the towering trees will give you ample time to relax and unwind. The following day, you will journey along the renowned Paarl Wine Route in search of its distinguished bottles, and you will indulge in the luxurious tasting experience that will be accompanied by cultured guides and gorgeous scenic backdrops. You will transfer from Paarl to the endearing town of Franschhoek on your fifth day. Your very own private chauffeur will collect you from your luxury accommodation in a beautifully restored, vintage vehicle. From the comfort of your private car, witness the Franschhoek Valley in all its glory as you discover its riveting heritage. On the following day, you will experience a wine tasting tour like never before in your life. You will travel in a luxury tram for a ride through the stretching vineyards where you will uncover the stories behind the estates, visit a top-tier cellar, and enjoy sumptuous gourmet meals.

On your seventh day, you will transfer to the charming town of Stellenbosch. This world-famous destination is most notably known for its exclusive wine estates and immaculate Dutch-colonial architecture. You will spend the first day exploring its roots as you visit significant heritage sites, witness the diverse landscape, and dine on South Africa’s finest cuisine. The trip to Stellenbosch will culminate with an immersive tour of its most famous wine estates. From viewing the vineyards on a Segway to witnessing an incredible duck parade, the unique wine tour will leave nothing to be desired. All the while, you will taste fabulous dishes that will be prepared by award-winning chefs. Before departing for home, experience the vistas from the sky as you revel in a private hot air balloon trip over the vineyards. Celebrate with a glass of prestigious sparkling wine and a gourmet breakfast as this enthusing activity will bring the wholesome Cape Town adventure to a captivating close. Looking for the best South Africa travel experiences? Consider browsing our South Africa travel reviews page.

Starting Price

$5,900 per person (excluding international flights)

Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.

What's Included

  • Accommodations
  • In-country transportation
  • Some or all activities and tours
  • Expert trip planning
  • 24x7 support during your trip

Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.

4.9

Verified Traveler Reviews

Based on 17 reviews

South Africa, Zimbabwe Travel Review: Local Cuisine, Safari Drives, Glamping, Food Tour, 2 Weeks

The trip was absolutely amazing – truly the trip of a lifetime. The accommodations were perfect for us – the Cape Town hotel with its proximity to the V&A Waterfront and the boutique guesthouse in Franschhoek, which was also within easy walking distance to restaurants and the wine tram. The safari lodge was incredible – the food, service, safari drives, and our very comfortable glamping tent. The other lodge was also very comfortable, with great customer service.  

Our tour guide in Cape Town was the best – very knowledgeable, accommodating, and personable – and truly worked to make our trip extra special. The foodie tour was great – the most food we have ever had on a trip – with nice variety and local selections. 

The transfers were without a glitch.  

We can't say enough to thank our travel agent and her agency for making this a perfect trip.

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Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe Tour Review: Safari, Cape Town, Franschhoek, Winelands, 12-Night Travel
"We were nervous about using a travel agent/company for the two of us rather than traveling with a group... but everything worked out great."

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South Africa & Namibia Travel Review: Cape Town, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Boulders Beach, Cape Winelands, Safaris
"...Richelle's excellent guidance and the warmth of the African people is what will stay with us the longest."

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South Africa Tour Review: Cape Town, Johannesburg, Safari Experience, 10-Day Trip
"Our Zicasso agent set up everything from accommodations to excursions and all exceeded our expectations."

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South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mozambique Vacation Review: Victoria Falls, Safari Experience, Local Cuisine, 1-Month Trip

Zicasso's travel partner planned a trip for us that exceeded even our very high expectations. We started our search by contacting three travel agents and explaining what we wanted in terms of timeline, cost, and experiences. Our travel agent came back with a plan that was exactly what we were looking for. He clearly understood that our main goal was a variety of experiences, a trip that included Cape Town and Victoria Falls, safaris where we could have a chance of seeing the Big Five, no driving of our own, a pace that would not leave us exhausted, a price that would not break our budget, accommodations that were comfortable but not extravagant, and to end our trip sitting by a beach for several days. He managed to do all that and more.

The result was a 33-day trip in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique that included all of the above, plus two days of whale watching, two days in the heart of South Africa's wine country, with multiple winery visits and tastings led by a very knowledgeable guide, three safaris (11 safari days in total), and six days relaxing by the Indian Ocean at an amazing, intimate, foodie paradise complete with free daily massages.

He also arranged all transfers ‒ car and large and small planes ‒ and had someone help us find a good deal on our transatlantic flights. Every vendor he selected was excellent and there was not a single glitch the whole trip, despite the numerous transfers.

What impressed me the most was his knowledge of all the properties and the thought he put into the ones he suggested, including the order of our stays. For example, he gave us plenty of time to relax and explore the Cape Town, Hermanus (whales), and Stellenbosch (wine) areas before going on our safaris. He then had our first safari stay be a tented camp. It was very comfortable and we enjoyed it immensely, seeing four of the Big Five there. Then, he stepped us up to somewhat fancier accommodations for our second safari, also an amazing experience, where we saw the last of the Big Five and the quite rare wild dogs (or painted wolves as they are sometimes known). Our last safari stay was one he had to talk me into because it seemed like the accommodations were fancier than what we were looking for or needed. However, he assured me that the experience would also be a step up, and wow, was he right. While the accommodations were great, what made the experience perfect was the knowledge of our guide, his tracking ability, and the unique location of the reserve, which even in drought conditions had a river running through it that attracted lots of animals we hadn't seen elsewhere. Our safaris were all on private land adjoining unfenced game reserves, so the animals could travel freely back and forth. We weren't faced with a slew of other vehicles vying to see the animals and we were able to go off-road to better track the animals we were following.

The back-and-forth dialogue with our agent in the planning process was something I truly appreciated. While some people might want to just set a budget and get a final itinerary (which I'm sure our agent can do), I wanted a more interactive process where he would give us different options and we would discuss the pros and cons, and then come to a decision. No question was too stupid and he never tried to rush us. I would book with him again in a heartbeat and have already recommended him to several friends.

On top of all I've already mentioned, he was fantastic when we had to delay our trip for a year because I learned shortly before we were going to go that I had to undergo chemotherapy. He was great in helping me make my claim on my travel insurance and in working with the properties so I was out very little money at all. And amazingly, when I was finally cleared to go, he was able to rebook almost exactly the same itinerary we had originally planned. There were also some other nice surprise extras he arranged, but I won't spoil them for you by saying what they were. I will say, however, that I can't imagine a more perfect trip or a more perfect travel agent to work with!

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South Africa, Zimbabwe Vacation Review: Cape Town, Victoria Falls, Matetsi, Safari, 12 Nights

This was an unforgettable trip that my wife and I will always cherish. It was our second time visiting Cape Town and we truly enjoyed exploring different parts of the city that we hadn’t seen before.

I highly recommend experiencing a safari at Matetsi in Zimbabwe. It was absolutely incredible. While in Zimbabwe, a visit to Victoria Falls is an absolute must.

Zicasso's travel planner and her team were fantastic, addressing any concerns we had and recommending excellent restaurants for dinner, which made our experience even more special.

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Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist.

30,000+ Verified Traveler Reviews