There’s something sumptuously slow about the Winelands and days spent in Franschhoek are no different – they were made for being lazy. But with a growing number of festivals being hosted here, there are definite days when the town comes alive. Bastille Day is particularly big and there’s no prizes for guessing why.
Home to over 40 wine estates, this is a place to indulge your inner oenophile – a connoisseur or not, wine tasting is still good fun. And Franschhoek offers new-world wine at its best. Obviously, tastings and cellar tours are a must but with many estates now doubling up as concert and exhibition venues, why not enjoy a bit of live jazz whilst you’re in town too? It would be rude not to.

Although seemingly all about the wine, this picturesque town was not to be stopped there – here, wining and dining come as a team. After all, the term “cordon bleu” does originate from France, so it seems obvious that Franschhoek should be the self-proclaimed culinary capital of South Africa. From cosy cafés to stylish bistros, this small dot on the map boasts an impressive number of dining options. And, they’re good too. In fact, you can even tick off three of the country’s top ten restaurants on this one stop.