Paarl, The Heart of the Winelands

estern Cape of South Africa is known forIf you’ve taken the children with you on
producing some of best wines in the world.your Southern Africa holidays then there is plenty
However, with a history dating back to 1659 it isfor them to do in Paarl, especially the more
still fairly modern in comparison to other wineadventurous! Paarl is home to a snake and
producing countries like France who have beencrocodile farm, but if both of those options are a
practising the art since the 6th Century BC. Butbit scary for your little ones then you’ll be
South African wine has really come into its ownpleased to note that there is also a butterfly farm
within the past century and a Southern Africalocated nearby. The town boasts an impressive
holiday gives you the perfect excuse to sample23 wine estates and whilst Shiraz is the main
some of the best wines that the country has tovinter a number of other wines including Malbec
offer.have recently started to perform well and should
Located just 45 minutes drive away from Capebe sampled on your luxury African holidays.
Town the winelands offer stunning sceneryMany of the wine estates also have other
alongside mountain views and traditionalattractions including adjoining restaurants serving
homesteads. Boutique hotels and quaintdishes and tapas to compliment their beverages.
guest-houses provide the ideal base in which toOne of the key highlights of your southern Africa
explore the region whilst the Mediterraneanholiday is bound to be enjoying a glass of Shiraz
climate helps create some of the incredible winesfresh from the keg whilst nibbling on charcuterie
of the region.items and looking out at the lines and lines of
The scenic town of Paarl may be known for itsfreshly manicured vineyards.
brilliant wines, with Nederburg, Seidelberg andPaarl is also known for its beautiful walking and
Laborie to name but a couple, however, it is alsotrekking routes and these are a great way to
an incredible holiday destination with manyburn of all those extra calories gained from eating
activities to suit young and old alike. The town isthe rich meats and cheeses of the Wine Estate
the third oldest in South Africa and thereforeKitchens. The Limietberg is probably one of the
boasts its fair share of historic moments frommost famous trails, but by far the most
visits by Charles Darwin to Drakenstein Prisonenjoyable is the Wine Hiking Trail offered by the
where Nelson Mandela started his walk toLaborie Estate. This trail combines a spot of
freedom. On your travels in South Africa be surebird-watching with talks of horticulture and
to visit the Afrikaans Language Monument whichviticulture and like all good wine tours there is
proudly stands at the top of Paarl Mountain, as itbound to be loads of opportunities to sample the
was here that the foundations for the Afrikaansproduce.
language were laid.