ILANGA TRAVEL PRESENTS….WINTER WONDERLAND

July is winter in South Africa. It is cold and rainy. Many celebrate “Christmas in July” because the cold is inviting to light a fire and have a glass of red wine. Our winelands are a popular destination during the winter season, which is why we have featured it in our July Newsletter.

The mother-daughter duo Christiane and Kyla made their way to Paarl for us.

They stayed at Adara Palmiet Valley for 1 night which is family friendly, and children of all ages are welcome.

There are 4 houses on the property with different rooms in each.

They stayed in Presidential Suite 14 in the Orchard House which has 5 rooms.

The Presidential Suite has two floors. On the first floor there is a spacious living room with a dining area, a piano and a fully equipped kitchen. Upstairs there is a king-size bed, a sitting area and a very spacious bathroom with 2 washbasins, a shower and an antique bathtub.

The room also has an outdoor seating area.

They also looked at a Mountain View Suite which is located in the Mountain View House where the reception is also located. The three suites all have a private garden, a shared pool and an outdoor seating area.

Due to the late check-in, they had dinner in the restaurant. Simple but good meals are served there. Alternatively, guests can dine in one of the many restaurants in or around Paarl.

In the morning they walked around the property to enjoy some fresh air. There is a large pool and a beautiful garden where you might spot sugar birds, squirrels and if you’re lucky, owls.

Dinner and breakfast are served in the same building. For breakfast there is bread, cold meats spread and cheese, muesli, fruit and yoghurt, and something hot from the menu.

Adara sells its own wine, which you can buy at check-out.

From there they went to the Spice Route. The Spice Route has something for everyone, e.g. the Chocolate Room, where you can buy different types of chocolate, Brenda’s, where various teas and spices are sold, a children’s playground, Cape Brewing Company, and wine and restaurants for lunch.

From there they drove to Fairview Wine and Cheese Farm. Fairview is a farm that produces artisanal and sustainable products, with a focus on fine wine and cheese.

The farm has their own goats, a beautiful garden, a restaurant and a tasting room featuring freshly made cheese.

For their last night in Paarl, they stayed at Brookdale Estate.

Brookdale has 5 suites in the Manor House and 1 Vineyard Suite just outside the Manor House. One of the Manor House Suites is on the ground floor, which is best suited for older couples or clients who have difficulty walking. The other four suites are located on the top floor.

They accommodate children aged 12 and over. If the house is booked exclusively, children of all ages are welcome.

Each suite has a spacious bathroom with shower and bathtub, two washbasins, a large closet, a king-size bed and a desk. The rooms also have underfloor heating to keep you warm on those cold winter days and nights.

There is also a pool and a pool room with a TV where you can relax and enjoy a wine or a cocktail. They also have a gym, spa and a lounge with a fireplace for those cold winter days.

The Bistro is within walking distance of the Manor House and is open for dinner on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and lunch Wednesday through Sunday.

Brookdale offers wine tastings, tractor rides, guided tours, walks and more, – all of  which can be booked on site or in advance.

If customers don’t want to eat in town, Brookdale offers a set menu. The chef has also started growing fresh ingredients on the property to use in his dishes. Each course is unique and full of flavor. Guests are welcome to walk into the kitchen and talk to the chef, and if you have any special requests, he can accommodate you.

Not only the chef, but also the rest of the staff are very dedicated to the guests. They are eager to help you and are very engaging. When you leave Brookdale, you feel like you are part of the family.

You can also buy one of their wines before checking out.

Josy and family stayed at Erinvale Estate which is situated in Somerset West; nestled against the Hottentots Holland Mountains. It is the perfect place to enjoy the Winelands from. While this location is not the first area one thinks of when one mentions the winelands, it sure holds its own against the more visited neighbouring towns.

They have something for everyone – Wine Lovers, Families, Spa-goers and Golfers! With Vergelegen Wine Farm, Erinvale Golf Course and their huge Spa, one does not need to venture far to have a fully rounded Winelands experience.

They recently underwent a refurbishment, and the Hotel & Estate is looking really great. It is warm and welcoming but also sophisticated. The gardens are very well looked after and you will not be disappointed by the rooms, which are very comfortable and have everything that one needs to feel at home, away from home.

With 3 dining options on the Estate – Stefan’s, The Oak Terrace and Magnolia Social Dining Lounge – one is spoilt for choice. We enjoyed an intimate dinner in one of the booths in Stefan’s. The food was amazing and the service even better.

We would love to send your clients to Erinvale and because we have experienced it ourselves and are truly impressed, we have full confidence that it will be a stay to remember!

For the second half of 2024, things will start warming up!

Stay Tuned!