Relaxing South Africa: Wines, Garden Route and Indian Ocean Beaches

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South Africa is far more than safaris: it is also one of the world's great wine and relaxation destinations. This 7-day itinerary is designed for those looking to unwind in dreamlike landscapes, taste world-class wines, enjoy the continent's finest cuisine and rest in charming accommodations by the sea or among the vineyards. The journey begins in Cape Town, one of the most beautiful cities on the globe. You will stay in Camps Bay, the most exclusive beachfront quarter facing the Atlantic, with its row of palm trees, its white-sand beach and its terrace restaurants where you can watch the sun set over the ocean while dining on fresh fish and South African wine. The V&A Waterfront offers shopping, art galleries and luxury spas with views over the harbor. From Cape Town, the route heads into South Africa's wine heartland. Stellenbosch, the country's second-oldest city, is an open-air museum of Cape Dutch colonial architecture, surrounded by mountains and vineyards. Here you will enjoy tastings of red wines (the famous South African Pinotage and Shiraz) in century-old wineries with gourmet restaurants among the barrels. Franschhoek, Africa's most French corner, founded by Huguenots in the 17th century, offers a charming wine tram and fine-dining restaurants with international acclaim. The Garden Route unfolds in a landscape of ancient forests, calm lagoons and cliffs over the ocean. In Knysna, you will sail the lagoon at sunset sampling the region's famous oysters, considered the best in South Africa. Plettenberg Bay closes the trip with its endless golden-sand beaches, warmer waters than Cape Town's, and the chance to spot southern right whales and dolphins from the shore.