Best of Cape Town Art & Wine 6 Day Vacation | Itinerary | Enquire here
Ellerman House in Cape Town South Africa showcases the very best of South Africa through art, cuisine, design and gracious hospitality. Refined service in a perfectly elegant setting. It encapsulates the grandeur of a bygone era while embracing all modern life’s creature comforts. With only 13 individually-styled bedrooms, attention to detail and personalised service reigns supreme. The Cape has has been called the ‘Fairest Cape in the Circumference of the Earth’ and ‘The Tavern of the Seas’. Today it is fondly called the ‘Mother City’ of South Africa.
The documentary presents a history of artists of color in South Africa. The 5 pioneer artists being; George Pemba, Gerard Sekoto, Gerard Benghu, Ernest Mancoba and John Koenakeefe Mohl. These artists laid a foundation that influenced many great modernists and contemporary artists, such as internationally acclaimed William Kentridge, whose father was the anti-apartheid lawyer who defended Nelson Mandela at the Rivonia trial. During the apartheid years people of color were not allowed to go to universities to study art. The government at the time created a recreation center for migrant laborers in Polly Street, Johannesburg. In an ironic twist, this center became an underground teaching school for artists of color. A cross pollination took place where artists on both sides of the race lines were influenced. The art collection at Ellerman House is vast with over 1000 pieces. Paul Harris, the owner of Ellerman House focused primarily on South African art and acquired the collection over several decades. The collection gives a better overview of the history of South African art than any of the institutional art museums. Talita Swarts, the owner of Art Route in Cape Town, presents the documentary.
The Ellerman House wine gallery holds art pieces unlike any other wine cellar in Africa. A gigantic corkscrew sculpture holding several hundreds of bottles of wine, housed in a temperature controlled glass room. An entire wall, made up of 100 bronze frames, displaying the soil material from a 100 different wine estates in the Cape Town region. A magnificent, glass-blown elegantly-styled, brandy bottle display on a wall, showing the maturation from 3 to 20 years in different colors. A life-size 1000 piece bronze Pinotage Vine that will turn green with age. A wine cellar of over 9,000 South African red and white wines including a champagne and MCC cellar. Zimbabwean Lovejoy Neshamba talks us through these as well as his personal unique journey
Day 1.
- Arrive in Cape Town and transferred to your hotel.
- Check-in at hotel. Time to relax and freshen-up.
- CAPE TOWN has a rich multi-cultural history because of its position as a stopping point for ships plying their trade between the east and the west. Today it is a meeting place for Africa and the rest of the world, which gives it its own vibrancy. Cape Town is a colourful and vibrant city surrounded by dramatic mountains and sandy beaches. It is certainly one of the most beautiful cities in the world – presided over by one of the 7 Natural Wonders of The World – Table Mountain. The magic of Cape Town lies in the collision of natural wonder, diverse cultures, art, design and a thriving food and wine scene. Cape Malay, Dutch and British architecture sit side by side with cutting edge 21st century loft apartments and slick skyscrapers. Sit a while in Cape Town and take in the buzz and bustle of flower sellers, buskers, food markets and Capetonians going about their daily lives. A short ride away is the infamous Robben Island where you’ll find the erstwhile prison cell of the late Father of the Nation, Nelson Mandela.
- Dinner – included at the hotel.
- Overnight: Ellerman House 5* (DB&B) – De Luxe House room
Experiences in Cape Town• Table Mountain • Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens • Robben Island • Art Galleries & Museums
Day 2. CAPE TOWN
Cape Town City tour: Full day escorted private tour. Robben Island was declared a World Heritage Site because the buildings on the island are a reminder of its sad history and because the same buildings also show the power of the human spirit, freedom, and the victory of democracy over oppression. Since 1997 Robben Island has been a museum acting as a focal point of South African heritage. Freedom fighters, like Nelson Mandela, spent more than a quarter of a century in prison for their beliefs.
The diverse cultural heritage and rich historic past are evident when one visits the various national museums and sights such as the Castle Good Hope dating back to the Dutch East Indies Company, the South African Cultural History Museum, the District Six Museum. You will have an excellent panoramic view of the city bowl from the top of Table Mountain.
Dinner – at leisure to enjoy great innovative local cuisine or one of the many restaurants at the Waterfront or in the city.
Overnight: Ellerman House 5* (B&B) – De Luxe House room
Day 3. CAPE TOWN
Full day Peninsula escorted private tour. A ride around the Cape Peninsula sets the tone for a touring holiday of spectacular proportions. The playgrounds of the rich and famous at Clifton and Camps Bay are passed through on the way to the Chapman’s Peak and Hout Bay. Cutting into the cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the road makes for one of the most magnificent drives in the world. Cross over Red Hill and make your way through the historic navel town of Simon’s Town before moving onto the wild and rocky promontory of Cape Point where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans are supposed to meet. Visit the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point Nature Reserve at the meeting point of the two ocean currents. Visit the penguin colony at Boulders Beach and enjoy a live encounter with these fascinating creatures. Head out of the reserve clinging to the coastline, before turning inland through the thick forests of Constantia Neck to the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and the city.
Dinner – at leisure.
Overnight: Ellerman House 5* (B&B) – De Luxe House room
Day 4. CAPE TOWN (PAARL) STELLENBSOCH AND FRANSCHHOEK
After breakfast transfer and private tour to Franschhoek via Paarl & Stellenbosch.
PAARL: The scenic town of Paarl, only a 40-minute drive outside Cape Town is at the foot of the second-largest granite outcrop in the world. Paarl proudly bears the title of the third-oldest town in South Africa. Just outside Paarl en route to Franschhoek is Drakenstein Prison, where Nelson Mandela spent his last years of captivity and started his walk to freedom.
STELLENBOSCH is the second oldest town in South Africa after Cape Town was established in 1679 by Simon Van der Stel, the Governor of the Dutch East India company. The pretty university town is now the heart of the Premier Wine Route in South Africa. Well-preserved historical houses and oak trees line the streets. Four of these houses today form the comprehensive Stellenbosch Museum. Its university of more than 16 000 students gives the town a vibrant and youthful atmosphere.
FRANSCHHOEK is a tranquil village, twenty minutes from Stellenbosch, and 1½ from Cape Town is known for its French Huguenot Heritage, centuries-old vineyards, and Cape Dutch architecture. One of the oldest towns in South Africa, founded in 1688 by French Huguenots, this scenic town nestles in a rich and fertile valley surrounded by towering mountains. Many of South Africa’s oldest and most famous wine estates are found in this valley. Franschhoek is also affectionately known as the gourmet capital of South Africa with many of the country’s top-rated restaurants in close proximity.
Visit some the local premier wineries and estates en route such as:
Tokara Wine Estate is a modern winery with dramatic views over Stellenbosch and False Bay. The visitor is treated to expansive vineyard views, tastings & an art gallery plus a chic restaurant. Powerful reds and delicate whites focused on Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon blanc offer an exciting range of wines, and an olive oil plant nearby adds to the atmosphere of the area. Over the years the obvious connection with fine art has been extended to the winery entrance which houses a gallery of curated art and a sculpture garden.
Delaire Graff Estate. With breath-taking views over the Banghoek Valley from the terrace, Delaire Graff is dedicated to beauty in its many forms. Jeweller Laurence Graff has transformed an extraordinary natural setting into a world-class destination for wine, art, and cuisine. With 20 hectares of vineyards planted with Bordeaux reds and Chardonnay grapes, they produce supremely elegant vintages and have been named one of the Top 50 wineries by the World’s Best Vineyards — placing them first within the African continent.
L’Ormarins Wine Estate, one of the oldest in the Franschhoek Valley, was acquired by the late Dr Anton Rupert in 1969 and is now under the ownership of Johann Rupert. The estate produces award-winning wines, L’Ormarins being just one of the farms and brands within the Anthonij Rupert stable. Enjoy some Huguenot legacy at one of the prettiest wine etstates in the whole of the winelands. The Franschhoek Motor Museum on the estate houses one of the biggest collections of vintage cars in the world. L’Ormarin is also known for its horses but especially its wines.
La Motte wines have won a host of international awards and are highly sought-after. Their fine wines, including some exceptional reds, can be sampled in the stylish tasting room. Visit the museum and art Gallery. The largest room in the museum is dedicated to the life and art of one of South Africa’s greatest masters, Jacob Hendrik Pierneef. A selection of works by other South African artists are also exhibited.
Lunch at a local restaurant or wine estate (own account)
Dinner at the Epice restaurant– included (excl drinks)
Overnight: Le Quartier Francais 5* (DB&B) – Grande room
Day 5: FRANSCHHOEK
Franschhoek is affectionately known as the gourmet capital of South Africa with many of the country’s top-rated restaurants in close proximity as well as international award-winning wine estates.
Complimentary shuttle service to and from Franschhoek village.
Experiences in Franchhoek • Wine Tasting • Helicopter Wine Tours • Art Tours • Restaurants and Wineries
Dinner – at leisure to experience one of the many award-winning restaurants in Franschhoek
Overnight: Le Quartier Francais 5* (B&B) – Grande room
Day 6. DEPARTURE DAY / OPTIONAL EXTENSION
After breakfast time at leisure before the departure to the airport.
Depart Cape Town
–END OF ARRANGEMENTS–
TOTAL COST PER PERSON – RATES VALID TILL 31 DEC 2022
= ZAR 66,500.00 (±US$ 4,300.00) per person sharing – Low Season (01 May – 30 Sep)
= ZAR 79, 500.00 (±US$ 5,150.00) per person sharing – Mid Season (01Mar – 30 Apr, 01Oct- 30 Nov)
= ZAR 81,750.00 (±US$ 5,250.00) per person sharing – High Season (01 Dec – 28 Feb)
Cost includes: Prices are per person sharing
Accommodation in 5* hotels based on a Deluxe House room in Ellerman House and Grande room category at Le Quartier Francais
Full buffet breakfasts daily
Bottle of MCC Sparling Wine on arrival Ellerman House
One Complimentary wine tasting of Mullineux Wines at Leeu Estate
Two 3-course dinners: one in Cape Town and one in Franschhoek. (Excluding drinks)
Transfers and tours as per itinerary
Wine tasting as per itinerary
Entrance fees as per itinerary
Cost excludes:
Meals other than stated
All drinks and refreshments
Items of a personal nature such as laundry, phone calls etc
Tips for drivers and guides
Terms & Conditions apply
Optional Extras
