Tuesday, March 11, 2025 – Photo of the Day – Cape Town, South Africa

Where in the World Are We?

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
One of the world’s most beautiful cities
Sprawling across an endless, staggeringly blue coastline and watched over by the iconic plane of Table Mountain, Cape Town is undoubtedly one of the world’s most beautiful cities. A blend of spectacular mountain scenery, multiculturalism, and relaxed ocean charm awaits in the Mother City, where you can venture out to rolling vineyards, dine in laid-back sea suburbs, or spend days exploring the cool urban culture. Cape Town’s natural splendor fully reveals itself as the cable car rears sharply to the top of Table Mountain.

From the summit, 3,500 feet above sea level, you can let the scale of the panoramic vistas of the city rolling down towards the ocean wash over you. Another heavenly perspective waits at the top of Lion’s Head’s tapering peak. A sharp hike and an early start are required, but the views of the morning sun painting Table Mountain honey-gold are some of Cape Town’s finest. Cape Town’s glorious sunshine and inviting blue rollers can be deceiving. These oceans are anything but warm at times, with nothing between the peninsula’s end and Antarctica’s icy chill. This incredible water has upsides, bringing a colony of adorable African penguins to Boulders Beach. Boarded walkways offer the perfect vantage point to see the cute creatures dipping into the sea and lounging in the sun. Nearby, journey to the end of Africa at the Cape of Good Hope, where you can stand at the bottom of this mighty continent, watching out over the merging waves of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.

Cape Town’s beauty is counterpointed by the ominous island form, which sits four miles offshore from the bustling restaurants and lazy seals of the lively V&A Waterfront. A living history lesson: You can sail in the ships that transported prisoners out to Robben Island before a former prisoner tells of life’s traumas in this offshore prison. Your guide will show you the cramped cells and render Mandela’s long walk to freedom in heartbreaking, visceral clarity.

Today’s Excursion – Stellenbosch & Lourensford Wine Tasting
Stellenbosch was named after its founder, Governor Simon van der Stel, who discovered the broad, fertile valley of the Eerste River in 1680. Today, Stellenbosch is a major university town characterized by Cape Dutch-style architecture and streets lined with oak trees, some of which have been declared national monuments.

Stellenbosch Orientation Tour
We enjoyed a brief orientation drive through Stellenbosch, followed by time at leisure to explore the town. It is recommended to pay a visit to the Stellenbosch Museum, which comprises four different houses depicting different eras – Schreuder House, 1709;
Bletterman House, 1788; Grosvenor House, 1800 to 1830; and the OM Bergh House, 1850.

Lourensford Wine Estate Cellar Tour and Premium Wine Tasting
Following leisurely time in this quaint university town, embark on a short transfer to Lourensford Wine Estate. As one of the
world’s most beautiful wine estates, Lourensford offers a visual feast across 4,000 hectares of forest, fynbos, fruit orchards, and
vineyards, which rise the slopes of the Helderberg Mountains, caressed by breezes off the Atlantic Ocean. Established by
Governor Willem Adriaan van der Stel in 1709, Lourensford has a proud history as a world-class fruit farm, and the wealth of
glorious Proteas point to our rich floral heritage. Fortunately, the winemaking tradition was revived when well-known Cape
businessman Dr Christo Wiese purchased the Estate in 1998.

Wine Cellars Guided Tour & Wine Pairing
Enjoy the Wedgewood Nougat and Wine pairing through a curated guided tour of the Estate cellars. The Wedgewood
handmade Nougat Emporium opened its doors on Lourensford, so this pairing came naturally. You will get to know 4
different of nougats and pair them with the matching wines of Lourensford. A great delight!

Victoria & Albert Wharf Mall

Dinner was in Atlantide Restaurant