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A weekend in Franschhoek
I can’t be the one one determined for an escape proper now! After spending 4 months in a tough lockdown in South Africa, I’ve been getting an increasing number of stressed as the times go. Earlier than you understand it Monday is Friday, and the determined makes an attempt to do one thing attention-grabbing on the weekend are yielding dismal outcomes (once more!) However alas, lastly, I made it out of the home for a weekend in Franschhoek.
Franschhoek is simply an hour’s drive from Cape City, the place I’m presently dwelling throughout lockdown. The city is nestled within the coronary heart of the Cape Winelands, residence to a lot of South Africa’s most recognisable vineyards and cellar doorways.
It was certainly one of my predictions earlier within the pandemic that we are going to see a surge in highway journeys this yr, and I actually am no exception. Now that we’re allowed to journey all through the Western Cape, I’ve been marking highway journeys to non-public villas in my itinerary. An itinerary which, at this level, has been clean since March!
Checking in to Le Lude Visitor Home
For our two night time keep within the Winelands, we checked in to Le Lude Lily Pond Visitor Home. I’ll be fully trustworthy – I had by no means heard of Le Lude earlier than this weekend, as a substitute selecting to keep right here as a result of that they had a extremely reasonably priced weekend getaway deal that we made use of. It was round half the value of a daily keep, which gave us the motivation to lastly escape for a weekend.
Because it seems, Le Lude is famend for being one of the crucial well-known champagne wine farms in South Africa. Talking from my very own expertise, it is likely one of the tastiest champagnes I’ve discovered outdoors of France!
A Weekend in Franschhoek at Le Lude
The largest drawcard for guests to Franschhoek is undeniably the meals and wine scene. The Cape Winelands has shortly turn into what units South Africa other than different safari locations, as this addition and Cape City deliver a brand new degree of cultural appreciation to your journey.
Whenever you arrive in Franschhoek, you can be forgiven for pondering you’re someplace within the countryside of France. Regardless of the Cape Dutch structure, this city has a really French really feel to it, thanks to the French settlers who arrived within the 17th and 18th centuries. Due to this, you’ll find too many vineyards to ever go to all of them, every with their very own enchantment (and by enchantment, I imply wine speciality).
Le Lude is thought for his or her bubbles. And by bubbles, I imply champagne, which is coincidentally my one and solely vice within the sunshine. What an ideal coincidence! Which was after all, no coincidence in any respect. I used to be properly overdue for some champagne within the solar and Le Lude supplied the proper backdrop with their Lily Pond cottage.
The cottage is marketed as a non-public villa. Given there are two full sized bedrooms, we invited a few mates and determined to take a break collectively after greater than 4 months not seeing anybody however one another. Which may sound like a recipe for catastrophe, and consider me after I say it got here shut! However we have now definitely taken the social distancing measures severely, so it was good to spend time with our mates for the primary time because the starting of the yr, now that restrictions have began to ease.
The Cape Winelands
If you end up within the Cape Winelands in future travels, this actually is the proper low-key escape. It’s the solely lodging on the property, so we actually felt like we had been remoted within the whimsical vineyards. Regardless of being remoted, you’re additionally solely a brief drive or 20-minute leisurely stroll from city.
Within the city of Franschhoek, the principle attraction is cellar doorways and wine tastings. Past that, you’ll find an excellent number of cafes, artwork galleries and boutiques to discover. However the actual enchantment right here is to swap off and take time to your self. Don’t neglect to get pleasure from waking up to the singing birds within the countryside. Does it sound horribly romantic? It truly is!
Le Lude Wine Property
If you are on the property, make sure to try the Orangerie restaurant on the prime of the property. They’re famend for having a good looking French-feeling restaurant, which seems considerably comparable to a Laduree outlet in Paris. The main focus is much less on macarons and extra on champagne. Which is a trade-off I for one am prepared to make!
Elsewhere in Franschhoek
If you’re travelling to Franschhoek for just a few days, beneath are a few of my different favorite spots. That is my fifth go to to the world, given it’s lower than an hour’s drive from Cape City. Suffice it to say, I’ve turn into a little bit of an knowledgeable on the Cape Winelands!
La Petite Colombe – One of the best superb eating restaurant within the city. Assume: a elaborate setting, gastronomic dishes and impeccable service.
Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve – Filled with nice day hikes with epic views. Be certain to pack some snacks as you’ll be able to go so long as your coronary heart wishes.
Boschendal – My favorite place for a picnic and residential to the unimaginable Werf Restaurant.
Babylonstoren – The Fynbos Cottages are certainly one of my fondest reminiscences right here within the Winelands. The farm itself is value a go to, only for the gardens alone.
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