Capetown

The tales of Cape Town's natural beauty does not quite prepare you for the experience. The smell of fresh pine, the expanse of land and the crispness of spring air are elements that alert you to the fact that you are in, possibly, one of the most beautiful places on arth.

Steeped in history and with a distinctive European flair, Cape Town is a city.blessed with stunning natural landscapes, splendid weather and gorgeous architecture. Many examples of Victorian architecture pepper the city, with several awe-inspiring restored houses warranting a stop for the enchanted traveller. From Table Bay to the 12 Apostle Mountains or Camps Bay, it is evident that Cape Town is not lacking in natural beauty. Yet, there is also much to admire in terms of the contemporary culture of the city. Jazz bars litter the city, as are many artisanal stores, housed within quaint lowrise houses that strangely recall a Mediterranean landscape. Progressive design is another marked characteristic of the cultural and arts scene in Cape Town- a trait that can be seen in its boutique/design hotels. Combining an African aesthetic with a pared-down Zen simplicity, these luxury boutique hotels form an ideal base through which to explore the beauty and adventure that Cape Town offers.

There's a markedly genteel air that borders on the colonial in Stellenbosch. Beautiful scenery, architecture and the vast plains of winelands form a marvellous setting, yet at the same time, there is  an uncomfortable air of reconstructed history and cultural colonialism within these very confines. For Stellenbosch, renowned for its wineries, beautiful scenery and prestigious university, was also the setting( in recent contemporary history) of slavery, cultural colonialism and apartheid. The prestigious Stellenbosch University,where the primary medium of instruction is in the controversial language of Afrikaans, is illustrative of the stronghold that the Boers still have on the area.

We'll arrange for you to stay in some of the most luxurious hotels in the Cape Winelands- upbeat and insanely glamorous, set amongst some of the most inspired landscapes of tranquil vineyards harking back to the arrival of the French Huguenots.

After a few days relaxing in Stellenbosch, continue on to scenic Garden Route, where you will be based in Tsala Treetop Lodge, a resort inspired by ancient African civilisations perched high above the indigenous forests of Tsitsikamma.