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Welcome - South African 11 Day 10 Night Cape Wine Guided Coach Tour
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This
is a responsible tourism local tour guide job creation effort.
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The extensive and verdant beauty of the Cape Winelands region
in South Africa is one of the Cape's most alluring attractions. No visit to Cape Town would be complete without having taken the time to explore the
wine routes in what is the largest wine-producing area in the Western Cape.
Rugged, blue-tinged mountains surround the green valleys where charming, historic towns rest among vineyards and olive groves, where visitors can admire traditional Cape Dutch architecture, sip world-class wines and soak up the rich cultural and historical heritage. Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl are the most well known wine producing valleys in the region, situated within easy reach of each other, while the oldest wine farm in South Africa, Groot Constantia, is located within the Mother City itself, and is part of the tiny Constantia wine route, which was developed by Simon van der Stel in the late 1600s. Other smaller wine routes include Worcester, Tulbagh, Wellington and Somerset West.
In addition to savouring the fruits of the vine, visitors can sample superb culinary fare at some of the finest restaurants in the country, browse the art galleries and local craft shops, visit historic monuments and museums, and partake in an array of activities from walking, horse riding and fly-fishing to golf and paragliding. Food and wine festivals take place throughout the year and are a great introduction to the bewitching charms of the region.
Stellenbosch
At the heart of the wine industry is the pretty town of Stellenbosch, the second oldest town in South Africa and regarded as the wine capital of the country with over 110 cellars in the area. The Stellenbosch vineyards were established by the Dutch governor of the Cape, Simon van der Stel, who arrived in 1679 and noted that the combination of rich soil and ideal climate were perfect for viticulture. In 1971 the first wine route in South Africa was opened, and today the Stellenbosch wine route is perhaps the best known and finest that the country has to offer, producing award-winning wines from estates such as Morgenhof, Kanonkop, Warwick and Zewenwacht.
Spier Estate is renowned as a unique cultural resort that is famous for its Summer Arts Festival, and boasts the oldest working wine cellar in the country. Stellenbosch is also steeped in South African history and Afrikaans culture and was settled by the Dutch East India Company to produce food for passing ships. Old oak trees line the streets where Cape Dutch architecture, museums and national art collections are a reminder of the town's heritage. The town also boasts the world's only Afrikaans university, a premier educational institute, which has produced many great sporting heroes, including more than 155 Springbok rugby players.
Constantia
Constantia is the origin of wine production in South Africa, and one of Cape Town's most exclusive suburbs. The Constantia wine route is the oldest yet smallest wine route in the Cape, consisting of just five wine farms that concentrate on producing few wines of international quality. Groot Constantia is the oldest wine estate in South Africa, home to the first governor of the Cape, Simon van der Stel, and the valley's most recognised wine farm. Between the estates of Klein and Groot Constantia, Steenberg, Buitenverwachting and Constantia Uitsig, visitors will also find some of the most highly acclaimed restaurants in the country.
Franschhoek
Fleeing religious persecution in France in the 1700s, more than 200 French Huguenots arrived in the Cape and were settled in the valley that soon became known as Franschhoek (French Corner), which is today situated in the heart of the Cape Winelands region. Many of the settlers were experienced wine producers and they soon recognised the potential of the region for wine and fruit production, establishing wine estates throughout the spectacular Franschhoek Valley in surroundings of magnificent scenery and towering mountains.
Today the town is famous not only for its splendid wines and beautiful vistas, but also as the gourmet capital of South Africa, boasting the highest number of award-winning eateries in the country. Restaurants such as Le Quartier Français, La Petite Ferme, Haute Cabriere and Boschendal are among those that are internationally acclaimed and some of the top restaurants in South Africa. The Huguenots did not only bring their viticulture and French culinary flair however, they also left behind a rich legacy of arts, architecture and hospitality, which are still visible today.
Paarl
Situated at the foot of the second-largest granite outcrop in the world, the town of Paarl in the picturesque Berg River Valley is the biggest town in the Cape Winelands, and features some of the most superb examples of Cape Dutch, Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco architecture. It has a rich history, boasting the Drakenstein Prison where Nelson Mandela spent his last years in captivity, and overlooking the town from the slopes of the Paarl Mountain is the Language Monument, which symbolises the birth of the Afrikaans language.
Along with its historical background, Paarl is also known for its award-winning wines, particularly its reds, which can be sampled along the world's first 'Red Route'. Paarl's wine route includes over 40 cellars, among them Nederburg and KWV, and many of them also make a variety of delicious cheeses.
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South African Coach Tours is offering you this 11 Day 10 Night Cape Wine
Tour.
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South African Coach Tours operates
all over South Africa. We have coach charter partners with infrastructure
created to maintain and manage a fleet of luxury coaches. All vehicles are air
conditioned and are fitted with Radio/tape/CD, onboard computer and PA systems
as expected from these type of vehicles. Passenger liability
insurance to the amount of R100 million per incident is in place. Driver
selection is strict and only those with the necessary skills and experience are
employed.
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FULL LUXURY IRIZAR / VOLVO 44 Seater
Air Conditioning & Reclining Seats
Video/Audio System
Public Address System
Toilet & Fridge
Curtains & Tinted Windows
Overhead Reading Lights & Passage Lights
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Our Mission
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We are committed to meeting the needs of business
partners through utilization of South African Coach Tours
which delivers affordable, most enjoyable and top quality tours and services
which exceeds the expectations of our guests and our oppositions endeavors.
We have carefully selected these South African Coach Tours
- your safety is our number one priorityy. We
cover all the major tourist attractions and offer tailor-made hiking tours to suit your
requirements in South Africa.
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This year (2008) South African Coach Tours
is celebrating 13 years of touring the
Winelands. South African Coach Tours is privately
owned, (Mr. Gerald Crawford) and have a proven track record that has made South
African Coach Tours a highly successful company with its head office in
Stellenbosch. South African Coach Tours continue to
make significant investments in developing our business and enhancing services
to our customers. All our tours are conducted by professional - field guides -
and/or couriers or drivers, in air-conditioned touring cars, coaches and
minibuses.
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Our Employees
We view our employees as our most important assets and believe that the growth
and prosperity of the Company should directly benefit the individual in terms of
personal growth and prosperity.
Scheduled Guided Coach Tours
South African Coach Tours offers a range of
scheduled tours, from 2-day coach tours to 28-day coach tours covering the
Highlights of South Africa.
Services for the independent traveler and private tours
At South African Coach Tours we recognize that
there are many experienced travelers who wish to visit Southern Africa but
prefers not to travel as part of a group. We offer a range of services to meet
the needs of these Independent Travelers. We can design a complete detailed
itinerary, book accommodation, car hire, and flights as well as offer advice on
how to make the most of your visit. We have the experience and trained staff to
create a holiday to suit your pace and budget.
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Please support this responsible tourism
local tour guide job creation effort.
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Click here to
return to the Top.
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If you have any questions or
comments please call me on 0720390184
or e-mail me on coachtours@12234455.co.za.
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Disclaimer:
South African Coach Tours endeavors to provide
accurate, up to date and truthful information on this site, neither South African Coach Tours
nor any of its employees, agents and associates make any representations or give
any warranties, whether expressly or implied, as to the operation of the site,
the information, content, materials and products included and available from
this site. Whilst the utmost care has been taken in the compilation of this
work, South African Coach Tours, the authors, editors, publishers and
system administrators take no responsibility for any loss or damage suffered by
any person as a result of the reliance upon the information contained therein.
Copyright - Gerald Crawford - South African Coach Tours
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