Franschhoek must-do's and more
A Country Gourmet Capital
Whether you are fleeing from the confines of Cape Town's City Bowl, or looking for a week-long country affair, Franschhoek, with its European influence is undoubtedly the ‘chic' choice.
A bit of an obvious observation perhaps as Franschhoek needs little introduction to those who readily enjoy sensory indulgence. And yet, there is little, if anything, that one might experience as being clichéd. A trip to Franschhoek is authenticly good for the soul.
May and June seems to the months to visit - not only because berg winds can make for extremely balmy days, but also because it is the "off-season", synonym for winter packages, which translated means affordable stayovers for those not paying in dollars.
Also, for those who like to avoid the trampling tourists, to visit during the winter months (stretching from May till end September) is best and affords you the chance to experience Franschhoek like the locals do.
We visited late May and this is what we discovered.
Where to stay and winter package deals
There are numerous places to stay in Franschhoek - ranging from A-rate (R1 500 +) to F-rate (R0 - R200). The beautiful thing is that an "F" rate does not necessarily translate into ‘shabby', since establishments are very much focused on maintaining a level of style complementary to what the village has come to represent.
If you are visiting on a budget, booking into a lower-rate establishment makes sense - there is so much to experience and you do not want to run out of cash. We booked into Bo La Motte cottages, just outside the village but still within easy walking distance to the town center.
Run by Jennie Troth and Maarten de Graaf, Bo La Motte offers just what you need for a country stay. Separate self-catering cottages allow for absolute privacy. It is cosy too, with a fireplace in each "country house" boasting country-chic interiors. Bo La Motte Cottages can be booked from R600 to R1200 per cottage. Tel 021 876 3067, www.bolamotte.com.
Rose Cottages from R700 to R1250 per night also come highly recommended by locals, tel. 021 876 3425, www.rosecottages.co.za.
Book into La Petite Ferme for R2800 to R3800 for two people sharing which includes a gift pack in your room, a cellar tour and wine tasting and a complimentary lunch worth R300. (Valid 1st May to 30th September 2009). Tel 021 876 3016/8, www.lapetiteferme.co.za.
Akademie Street Guest Houses in town offers numerous deals and rates for the "romantic season" (16 May to 30 September 2009) vary between R1800 to R2800 per house, per night. Tel 021 876 3027, www.aka.co.za.
What we did and liked:
Visit iCi to get a taste from the best restaurant kitchen in South Africa. Tel: 021 876 2151. www.lequartier.co.za.
Eat mussels at French Connection Bistro in town. Tel: 021 876 4056, www.frenchconnection.co.za
Try authentic French Cuisine at Mon Plaisir. Frogs' legs with butter, pepper and garlic are tasty but what got our vote as best dish of the trip was undeniably the restaurant's wafer-thin apple tart. Tel: 021 876 2393, www.monplaisir.co.za.
An absolute must visit is the Salmon Bar in town. They have a bevy of dishes to choose from, each one seemingly as appetising as the next. This is a return-for. Tel: 021 876 4591, www.salmonbar.com.
Môreson's Deli for delectable products such as marula-infused balsamic vinegar, tel 021 876 3055, www.moreson.co.za. The restaurant, Bread and Wine, should also be payed a visit, 021 876 3692. They do a delicious charcuterie tasting and they do "cooking with Neil Jewell" once a week. Quoted to be really "wow".
Bouillabaisse for the most delicious oyster snacks, tel 021 876 4430, www.bouillabaisse.co.za.
La Cotte Inn wine Sales & Fromage de France, for French cheeses and rare wine finds from the underground cellar, tel 021 876 2192.
Kalfi's restaurant for home cooked meals and photographs of Franschhoek in the olden days. Tel 021 876 2520.
Visit the Motor Museum at L'Omarins, tel 021 874 9000, www.lomarins.co.za.
Solms Delta's Museum van den Caab for a history of the Cape Winelands, tel 021 874 3937, www.solms-delta.co.za.
In Franschhoek it is important to get your fix of bubbly and wine, as recommended by WINE and a Franschhoek local:
Graham Beck wine cellar runs an excellent tasting room. Tel 021 874 1258, www.grahambeckwines.com.
Colmant Cap Classique & Champagne, for über-delicious bubbly. Tel 021 876 4348, www.colmant.co.za.
Let winemaker Achim von Arnim show you traditional sabrage at Cabrière. Tel 021 876 8500, www.cabriere.co.za.
Visit Jaqueline Haasbroek of My Wyn, a tiny winery on the mountainside. Jaqueline gives an enthusiastic and personalised tour with the most breathtaking view. Tel 021 876 2518.
Nigel and Joy McNaught at Stony Brook. Joy gives a great tasting of their wines. They are also involved in a winery in New Zealand. Tel 021 876 2182, www.stonybrook.co.za
Nick Davies from Morena wines gives a great MCC and Champagne tasting at Franschhoek Pass Winery - which makes for a spectacular view. Tel 082 55 98 063.
For the outdoor spirit:
Pieter Hugo from Robertsvlei does horse rides which include wine tastings at Rickety Bridge wines and Mont Rochelle. Tel 021 876 2160.
Rob Armstrong from Haut Espoir offers biodiversity walks. Tel 021 876 4000.
Geddan from Manic Bicycles rents out bicycles but also offers tailor-made bicycle tours to include wine tastings at various farms. Tel 021 876 4956.
Vrede en Lust runs a ‘wine-safari' that take guests up to Simonsberg in an open Land Rover where they do a wine and food pairing, at R350 per person. Tel 021 874 1611.
Helicopter trips are available from Klein Champagne Farm. Tel 084 419 7520.
