Winelands Tour in South Africa

On our way to Franschhoek where we wanted to spend our last days in South Africa, we decided to stop over at some nice spots. On our itinerary were following beautiful spots: Steenberg Farm, Cascade Manor and Grande Roche.

Steenberg Farm

Steenberg Farm Hotel is more than a hotel. It is like a tiny village itself. It is only 30min away from Cape Town, located in the beautiful wine area Constantina. To the Steenberg Farm belongs a golf court, 2 excellent restaurants, the Steenberg Farm Hotel and own winery & vineyards (that’s the reason why I absolutely wanted to visit it 😉 ). This estate has also a great location for all kind of excursions like the Boulder’s Beach or Muizenberg. 

We stayed at a beautiful room called “Merlot” 😉

The whole estate is just magical. Everything looked so stylish and beautiful but also historical. 

As mentioned above, the Steenberg Farm has 2 restaurants – the Catharina’s and the Bistro 1682. The Catharina’s is a bit more luxury and the Bistro 1682 more casual. We spent only 1 night at this hotel so I had the agony of choice. But I chose Bistro 1682 – and this was a great choice. Because the property is really big, you can reach the restaurant by car or by bike. You can guess which option I chose 😉

Bistro 1682 is a tapas-styled restaurant where you can enjoy tasteful food from all over the world (asian, spanish, south american etc.). Bu they have 1 similarity – the food is outstanding fresh !! I ate one of the best ceviches I ever had – the rest was of course also delicious. And I have to mention their wine from their own vinery which was mhmmmmmm.

You can do a lot of great things at this hotel. You can golf, relax at the spa, make a nice stroll, a bike tour (they have their own bikes for the guests) or a wine-tasting at their wonderful vinery. It doesn’t matter what you will choose, you will be not disappointed.

Of course the breakfast was also very delicious. It offers everything you want and more. 

After our healthy start in the morning we drove on to our next stop – the charming Cascade Manor. Steenberg Farm is an amazing place not far away from Cape Town where you can combine everything you like: food, wine, golf and more wine 😉

Cascade Manor

Cascade Manor is a lovely cute hotel located 10min away from Paarl, overlooking the beautiful mountains of Klein Drakenstein. The whole estate looks so majestic that you will find yourself transferred into a different time – the victorian time around 19th century. It was really surreal.

You can see and feel the history of this old estate. I asked the Manager if he knows something more about this place. He told me that there are a lot of stories associated with the farm. One thing is sure, that the farm had many owners over the past century. And one owner (if the saga is right) was a special one – the Duke of Bedford. How could you not love this place on earth ?!?

You can see for example the restarted horse barns. At this moment I was just transferred into the move “Gone with the Wind” where I was Scarlet O’ Hara (even if there was no Rhett Butler around 😉 )

This place is just calming and relaxing. You will hear nothing than bird’s twittering and the bickering of the nearby little waterfall. 

This hotel has only 9 rooms. Our room was very nice and had more space than we needed.

The idyllic Cascade Manor has also a great location. It is not only 10min away from Paarl, but what I really liked about the location was the nearby Spice Rout Paarl. It is only 20min away from the hotel. At the Spice Route Paarl you can spend the whole day. It is a place in the middle of the winelands where you can find artisans with their beautiful products, delicious food or a craft Brewery and a Grappa Distillery. You can have a picnic in the grass or relax at one of the restaurants enjoying the beautiful view.

Cascade Manor is a pearl near Paarl. You will find yourself in the middle of 19th century – but of course with Wi-Fi. Our last stop on the way to Franschhoek was Grande Roche in Paarl.

Grande Roche

Grande Roche is a real institution when it comes to fine dining. Their flagship restaurant Bosman’s was once one of the best restaurants in South Africa. But this hotel has a lot of more to offer. 

Just look at this beautiful view

The hotel is in a cape dutch style and has 28 suite-style rooms in several buildings

We stayed at one of their Studio-Suite with our own terrace – which was just amazing

I especially loved the mix of traditional and contemporary design

And look at this beautiful pool. How could you be not relaxed ?!?

This is their famous Bosman’s restaurant. If you are staying at the Grande Roche Hotel you have to plan a dinner at this amazing restaurant. 

Grande Roche is a lovely hotel in a beautiful area. You are surrounded by vineyards and magnificent old trees. This historical property is dated back to 1715.

What was really special for me at this hotel was (beside the mind-blowing Bosman’s restaurant) their own little chapel. Yes, a real chapel where people get married !!

Goin’ to the chapel and we’re gonna get ma-a-a-arried… la la la… Sorry, I couldn’t resist to sing this song 😉

You can see at the chapels door the married couple’s names engraved on a brass plaque. How special is this ?!? I think you can’t get a more unique weeding experience than this.

If I had to describe Grande Roche in one word it would be “fairytale”. Fairytale because everything is so historic, charming and beautiful that you will feel like in a fairytale, miles away from the “real world”. Even if you don’t marry there 😉 And I think this is exactly what we all want during our holidays – to escape from our real and busy world. This was the last stop on our way to Franschhoek. I am very excited about what awaits us.