South of Cape Town and stretched along a ribbon of land between towering mountains and a spectacular shoreline you will find South Africa’s Marine Big Five – whales, sharks, penguins, dolphins and seals. This is the Cape Whale Coast.
Africa’s First UNESCO CITY OF GASTRONOMY
Cape Whale Coast was the first in Africa to receive the designation as an UNESCO City of Gastronomy. This award highlights the creative economy of our regionThis turns South Africa’s great ocean drive and the villages of Rooiels to Kleinmond and onward to Hermanus, Stanford and Gansbaai into a culinary coastline, dotted with many small producers, farmers, wineries, breweries, farm stalls and eateries. This scenic journey is an expedition of flavour to savour.
Beaches Galore
Onrus Beach, close to Hermanus, is not only a Pilot Blue Flag Beach, it also seems like the training ground for Bodyboarders. Recently Hermanus welcomed 2019 Association of Professional Bodyboarders World Tour Champion, Tristan Roberts, back home. When Tristan is not competing in international waters abroad those with a love of the sport can catch a wave with him at Onrus Beach. There are plenty of pristine beaches on our coast that are known for kite-surfing, Stand Up Paddling, long walks, fishing, swimming or sunbathing.
Hiking in the Hemel-en-Aarde Vineyards, Hermanus
There is a guilt free option to experience the Hemel-en-Aarde, home to the best South African Burgundian wine varietals Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. This combines two experiences – hiking and wine tasting – the best of both worlds in a region that is known as Heaven on Earth. Explore with an experienced guide or take follow the mapped paths from vineyard to vineyard. There is food, art and fynbos gardens to discover while indulging in the latest vintages. Bosman Hermanus and Bouchard Finlayson have their own trails and Glamtrails offer a guided hike between wineries.
Our heritage village, Stanford
Stanford offers river boat trips with The Lady Stanford, African Queen and The River Rat and many hiking options such as the trails on Phillipskop Nature Reserve which includes a walk to a cave with ancient Khoe and San rock paintings discovered only in 2016. Then there are conservation tours at Panthera Africa Wild Cat Sanctuary and many wine tasting options with a Michelin Chef Jürgen Schneider at Springfontein Wine. There is an exciting new event coming up in May 2020 – The Stanford Culina
Pictures: Supplied
