The Cellars-Hohenort Hotel has partnered with Glamtrails to introduce a fantastic activity that combines nature and dining in one first-class walking experience that ends with a treat: a decadent high tea service at the hotel.
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The walk is guided by Glamtrails’ co-founder, Tim Lundy. With Tim’s guidance, walkers will enjoy captivating scenery, informative local history, and facts about the region’s flora and fauna.
They will interact with Kirstenbosch’s famous scented garden and view rare and endangered cycads while enjoying panoramic views along the way. The 5-star Cellars-Hohenort Hotel is conveniently located in leafy Constantia, close to the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.
The excursion begins with a complimentary transfer from the hotel’s reception to the gardens, where Lundy leads the way to the fragrance garden to share information about the wide range of scented plants used in everyday life.
Glamtrails
Tim and Gillian Lundy, husband and wife, created Glamtrails.Gillian is a content specialist who enjoys walking as a method of relaxation, and Tim is an accredited mountain guide, author, and member of the local mountain rescue team.
The concept of Glamtrails was sparked after Tim and Gillian had a conversation with Ezanne Newton Johnson, a member of the Newton Johnson Family Vineyard. She loved the Hemel & Aarde Valley and thought it would be amazing if visitors could admire the beautiful scenery while learning about its history and the unique fauna and flora indigenous to the valley.
The new Kirstenbosch route covers four kilometres, and the duration is approximately one hour and thirty minutes.
Although it is not a strenuous walk, basic fitness is required, along with comfortable walking shoes, a sun hat and sunscreen.
Kirstenbosch walk
The journey begins at the winding fragrance footpath, where Tim shares his knowledge about Buchu’s various types, uses, and scents.
This interactive experience of touch and smell will ignite excitement for the journey ahead.
The walk continues to a natural spring that was turned into a freshwater pool by British Deputy Colonial Secretary, Colonel Christopher Bird, in the early 1800s.
The next stop is the Dell, a garden containing some ancient cycads that existed during the time of dinosaurs. These prehistoric plants are targets of theft, and therefore need security beams and cages to protect them.
After learning about Ericas and Proteas, the incline increases slightly as Tim leads the way to Kirstenbosch Dam for some spectacular views before heading to Rycroft Gate and exiting the gardens.
The secret forest. Picture: Cape {town} EtcAfter a shady stroll through the enchanting secret forest, guests are walked through the front entrance of the Cellars-Hohenort Hotel so that they can see the hotel’s multi-coloured rose beds and camphor trees.
High Tea at the Greenhouse
Once back at the hotel, hospitality awaits with a refreshing welcome drink, followed by a decadent four-course high tea.
The high tea includes a fine selection of fragrant teas and coffees, and you might want to add a glass of L’Ormarins Brut Rosé!
Guests are offered a choice of eleven loose-leaf teas, as well as Lavazza coffee. Each tea blend is curated by Master Tea Blender, Mingwei Tsai, who has created a unique Cellars-Hohenort Blend of Nigiro tea, incorporating the spicy fragrance and bronze/apricot colour of the Liz McGrath Rose.
After a tea demonstration and choosing a tea from the vast selection, the high tea begins.
The courses include savoury classics like cucumber and cream cheese sandwiches, followed by traditional scones with butter, strawberry jam and Chantilly cream, and ending with an array of sweet delights that look almost too beautiful to eat.
The tea begins with a savoury selection of tea sandwiches filled with cucumber and cream cheese and smoked salmon and creme fraiche. There is also roasted tomato bruschetta and biltong pinwheels.
Red pepper and spinach quiche, camembert panna cotta, smoked salmon and lemon mousse cornets, slow-braised lamb fold, and wild mushroom arancini make up the second course.
The third course is a basket of warm, freshly baked scones with butter, strawberry jam and chantilly cream.
The meal concludes with a citrus cheesecake, a coffee and chocolate opera, an apple and caramel swiss roll, a berry and rose choux puff and a tropical fruit gateau.
And finally, just as you think the decadence is over, a melt-in-your-mouth macaroon present is delivered.
This walk and high tea experience is the perfect adventure for locals and visitors, and it is suited to solo travellers and families.
Details:
The walk:
- Distance and estimated time: 4 km | 1.5 hours
- Grading and ease: 1A | Easy stroll | No exposure to heights
- What you will enjoy: A welcome drink at Cellars-Hohenort hotel, followed by a high tea
The high tea:
- Cost: Children aged 4-11: R195 | Adults: R395 (includes a welcome glass of L’Ormarins Brut Rosé)
- Hours: Wednesday to Sunday: 11am to 1pm | 2pm to 4pm
- Book: Here
Book a walk and high-tea experience with Glamtrails and Cellars-Hohenort:
The Cellars-Hohenort and Glamtrails excursion is available for booking during December and January:
- Cost: R1285 per adult | R915 per child
- Book: www.glamtrails.co.za/contact
- Contact: 083 444 5267 | [email protected]
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Picture: Supplied
