| CAPE TOWN - 10 NIGHT SELF DRIVE TOUR |
Day 1 ~ Welcome to Cape Town
On arrival at Cape Town International Airport you will be met by one of our representatives who will direct you to your hire car, complete with local city and area maps. Drive the short distance to the city of Cape Town and check in to the Portswood Hotel, ideally located in the popular Victoria & Alfred Waterfront area. Spend the remainder of the day at your leisure, settling into the Capetonian way of life.
Overnight - Portswood Hotel, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
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Day 2 ~ Suggested Sightseeing: Cape Peninsula Tour
Embark on a full days drive around the Cape Peninsula, leaving Cape Town via the Atlantic seaboard suburbs of Sea Point's "Golden Mile", and the bikini beaches of trendy Clifton and Camps Bay, to the bustling fishing harbour of Hout Bay, where an optional short cruise can be taken to view the seal population of Seal Island. From Hout Bay head for the many holiday resort towns of the warmer False Bay side of the Peninsula. Visit the historic naval town of Simon's Town, and the ever popular penguin colony, before heading to the natural attractions of the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, and the many viewpoints around Cape Point. Return to Cape Town via the Silver Mine Mountain Pass and it's panoramic views over the Peninsula and the vineyards of suburbia.
Overnight - Portswood Hotel, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
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Day 3 ~ Suggested Sightseeing: Robben Island and V&A Waterfront
In the morning, take the boat across from Table Bay to Robben Island and take a conducted tour of this former prison island, including listening to the experiences of a former political prisoner, as well as viewing the cell where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned. In the afternoon explore the fantastic V&A Waterfront. This working harbour and shopping/entertainment development has become Cape Town's and South Africa's best visited tourist attraction. Some of the many attractions are the Two Oceans Aquarium, the IMAX cinema with its 5-storey screen specializing in spectacular nature documentaries, SA Maritime Museum, and over 350 shops, boutiques and restaurants.
Overnight - Portswood Hotel, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
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Day 4 ~ Suggested Sightseeing: Hermanus
After breakfast depart Cape Town via Sir Lowrys Pass en route to the relaxing coastal resort of Hermanus. There is a particular bonus when visiting this area during the months of July through to November, as there are spectacular whale viewing opportunities from some of the best land based sites in the world. Apart from the whales however, Hermanus has immense charm and character, with the locals singing opera openly in the market square, the shopping boutiques and the wonderful coastal setting of the town. From Hermanus return to Cape Town along the coast via Gordons Bay, which provides a complete contrast to the scenery that you would have seen whilst travelling to Hermanus in the morning.
Overnight - Portswood Hotel, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
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Day 5 ~ Suggested Sightseeing: Table Mountain & Kirstenbosch Gardens
In the morning take the trip to the top of Table Mountain by aerial cableway, weather permitting that is, which provides some of the world's most spectacular views. In the afternoon, spend a pleasant few hours wandering around the internationally renowned Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, situated on the slopes of Table Mountain, and forming part of the estate of Cecil John Rhodes. This enormous area which comprises beautifully manicured gardens, natural, unspoiled walks on the forested mountain slopes, and over 8000 different plant species, deserves more than a mere passing visit. Complete with an informative visitors centre, it is no wonder that Kirstenbosch Gardens consistently appears in the top 10 attractions in South Africa.
Overnight - Portswood Hotel, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
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Day 6 ~ Day at leisure
A day for you to do as you please, visit the beach, browse the shops, or merely let the day take care of itself.
Overnight - Portswood Hotel, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
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Day 7 ~ Suggested Sightseeing: The West Coast Tour
For a day with a difference, enjoy a casual meander up the lesser visited West Coast. Taking the west coast highway past Bloubergstrand, drop in at Ysterfontein, a typical fishing and holiday village of the region. Detour through the West Coast National Park and visit the lagoon side settlement of Church Haven, before travelling on to Langebaan, and possibly enjoying a pub lunch on the shores of the lagoon. This area is one of South Africa's largest natural wetlands and possesses more diverse bird life than anywhere else in the country. A real local experience is lunch at one of the open air restaurants in the area, and the Strandloper at Langebaan is highly recommended. If you would prefer to see more of the area, rather than an overly long lunch, continue on to the rustic fishing village of Paternoster for an authentic view of west coast fishing village life. Return to Cape Town via the country village of Darling.
Overnight - Portswood Hotel, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
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Day 8 ~ Suggested Sightseeing: Canal Walk
Spend an informal days schedule that requires neither an early start nor a long days travelling, but combines an alternative shopping experience at Canal Walk, Africa's largest shopping centre, with a leisurely return along the Table Bay coastline, complete with picture postcard views of Table Mountain and the city from the lesser visited northern shores of Bloubergstrand and Table View. Be tempted to linger over a light pub lunch at the Blue Peter on the shores of Bloubergstrand - one of the best views in the peninsula! In the afternoon, drive into the heart of the winelands and check in to the d'Ouwe Werf Country Inn, located in Stellenbosch.
Overnight - d'Ouwe Werf Country Inn, Stellenbosch, Winelands
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Day 9 ~ Suggested Sightseeing: Stellenbosch & Spier Wine Estate
A true treat for any lover of fine wines, the day to be spent ambling around the winelands regions. Perhaps start the day with a relaxing introductory tour of a local Stellenbosch Wine Estate, before spending time viewing the famous Cape Dutch architecture of the town. Set in one of the most beautiful parts of the winelands, Spier Wine Estate is famous for many things. Host to superb restaurants and acclaimed wines and showcasing more than 200 local and international estates, the Spier Wine Centre is a haven for wine-lovers. On the grounds of the main estate and housed in a gabled barn dating back to 1856, the cosy Cape Dutch architecture lures visitors into the treasures of their cellar. Spier has also made land available to a group of hand raised cheetahs, in the care of the Cheetah Outreach Programme. Learn more about these incredible cats from a distance, or get up close and personal and even step inside the enclosure.
Overnight - d'Ouwe Werf Country Inn, Stellenbosch, Winelands
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Day 10 ~ Suggested Sightseeing: Paarl, Franschhoek & Somerset West
Visit the original French Huguenot town of Franschhoek, completing a piece of the mosaic that is South Africa's heritage. Wine tastings and cellar tours are highly recommended at the many Estates you may visit. Perhaps take a tour of either the impressive KWV wine cellars or the slightly different Paarl Rock Brandy Cellar, before visiting the Taal (language) monument, superbly situated on the slopes of Paarl Mountain. A supplementary visit to the Afrikaans language museum in the town centre will give an insight into the efforts of the local individuals who pioneered the acceptance of Afrikaans as an official language of the country. Close to Stellenbosch is Somerset West, a residential centre with a delightful setting. The historic N.G. Kerk ( Dutch Reformed church) was built in 1820 and is well worth a visit. Only five minutes from Somerset West is the seaside resort of Strand which has a five kilometer stretch of beach and is a favourite for bathers.
Overnight - d'Ouwe Werf Country Inn, Stellenbosch, Winelands
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Day 11 ~ Checking Out
After checking out of the Hotel, the final day is at leisure to either finish that last minute shopping, or merely relax until the time of departure for Cape Town International Airport, returning the hire vehicle, and boarding the return flight back to Heathrow.
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PRICE PER PERSON = from £ 747.00
NOTES ON THE PRICE:
INCLUDED:
~ Hire car based on two people sharing (CDW insurance and unlimited mileage)
~ 10 nights double/twin share accommodation in South Africa
~ Daily breakfast
~ Representative on-call throughout your stay
~ VAT @ 17.5%
EXCLUDED:
~ International flights (quotations are available on request)
~ The cost of entrance fees to the sightseeing attractions
~ Lunches and dinners
~ Gratuities
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