The Cape Escape

The Western Cape boasts an abundance of glorious getaways, whether you're a fan of understated luxury or looking for something a little more lavish. To help you make the most of your next trip, we've delved into our favourite stopovers between Franschhoek and the Garden Route, with the wines having a moment in the sun, and ideas of where to find the best art in SA. All that's left for you to do is submit that leave request early so you can bag the best long weekend dates, and before you know it you'll be turning a mini-break into an extended late-summer sojourn.

Franshoek's finest

Following its recognition by TIME magazine as one of the world's most-sought-after destinations, Franschhoek recently rebranded itself the "Valley of Dreams" and is the first must-visit stopover on our tour of the Western Cape. Babylonstoren's famous gardens are well worth visiting for a day trip, but the bestkept secret is its hotel. The Fynbos Family House is tucked away in a quiet corner of the farm and offers space for up to 10 guests with gorgeous views of the valley. Its central kitchen makes it easy to use the estate's wide range of products and fresh produce to whip up a meal if you don't fancy a stroll down to either of the restaurants on the property.

Boschendal is another of the larger estates worth visiting. The deli offers farm-fresh goodies, as well as an excellent cup of coffee and a delightful pastéis de nata that will live in your dreams long after you've left. The Werf Restaurant offers plenty of options but our personal favourite for a light lunch is the oyster and MCC pairing. If you're looking for a truly unique dining experience, consider visiting the Anthonij Rupert Tasting Room to try truffles foraged on the estate, perhaps paired with a glass of red blend, Optima. If you want to be closer to the heart of things, then Akademie Street Boutique Hotel is your best bet. Its Oortuiging cottage (translated from Afrikaans, it means "persuasion") was one of the first buildings erected in the valley and has been lovingly adorned in suitably historic fittings. There are also plenty of modern amenities for guests to enjoy, ranging from wood-fired hot tubs to bikes you can borrow to explore the town. Although the communal pool is an ideal place to soak up the sun, there's also a private plunge pool available for Oortuiging guests. Once the sun sets and you've returned from dinner, you'll be able to enjoy a glass or two of complimentary wine, whisky or cognac. As for that dinner we mentioned, we would suggest Epice, from the internationally acclaimed team behind Le Petit Colombe. Led by Chef Charné Sampson, it was recently recognised as the best restaurant in Africa at the inaugural World Culinary Awards. If you're up for something a little more laid back, the French Connection is a classic bistro whose moules marinière is a must - every time we visit.

Follow your art

Perhaps the only thing South Africans do as well as wine, is art, and there's no greater place to soak in the aesthetic delights than Cape Town. Even the streets are illustrated with curious murals and colourful designs: head to Woodstock with Juma Art Tours, whose affable, eponymous leader has been showing off the neighbourhood's street art since 2009. To explore more creative delights in the outdoors, head out to Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden in Stellenbosch and take a breather with sculpted creations sitting alongside intricately crafted landscaping, all to express the artist's understanding of man's relationship with the natural world. If you're more gallery inclined, consider visiting Southern Guild at the V&A Waterfront's Silo District. The Southern Guild is on the cutting edge of the art world and was the first African gallery to exhibit at Design Miami in 2011. Of course, we'd be remiss to not mention the Zeitz MOCAA, arguably among the greatest galleries on the continent. Come for the impressive collection of contemporary African art and stay a little longer to marvel at the building - a converted grain silo complete with hotel and bar where you can grab a glass of bubbles once you've filled up on culture down below.

Wine down

Looking for an ideal long-weekend refreshment, or a gift for a gracious host? Independent winemakers around the world have moved away from uptight conventions and started experimenting with exciting new ways to enjoy vino. This is particularly visible in the Cape, from buzzing wine bars popping up on the CBD's Bree Street to a revitaliSed wining, dining and unwinding scene in Stellenbosch and surrounds.

For the vinophiles
Natural wines have been at the forefront of this shift, with labels like Scions of Sinai and Wightman & Sons Wine Co. creating minimalintervention offerings that put the spotlight on the grapes and the ground rather than the winemaker. Both producers make skin-contact or 'orange' wines - made from white wine grapes, where the grape skins aren't removed - that offer a unique drinking experience and make a wonderful gift.

For the selective sippers
If you're looking to impress even the most discerning wine drinker, look no further than Damascene. Winemaker Jean Smit has relentlessly searched for the best 'parcels' - single, small patches within a vineyard - from around the country while also growing his own grapes in Elgin. His sémillon, a dry and sweet white wine made from golden-skinned grapes, is known to sell out within hours of each year's release, and deservedly so: it's one of the best expressions of the varietal on the market.

For the trendsetters
Kleine Goederust Boutique Winery in Franschhoek lays claim to being the first black-owned wine farm in the country. And in Cape Town, Khayelitsha's Finest Wines is a label that's led by Lindile Ndzaba: a young man driven to bring great vino to everyone in the country, regardless of privilege. This mission drove him to start his own label as well as host regular tastings through which he hopes to inspire a love of wine in his community.

Have a garden party

Nowhere sets the tone for a relaxing Cape escape quite like the lush greenery of the Garden Route. First things first: we'd suggest checking into The Turbine Boutique Hotel & Spa in Knysna. With sprawling views of the Knysna Lagoon, this old power station was transformed into a five-star hotel, and gives as much in aesthetic and views, as it does in luxurious comfort and an intriguing historical narrative. The quirky hotel décor is a contrast of old-fashioned opulence, vibrant touches and old 'steampunk' machinery, while the Island Café and the Gastro Pub offer exquisite dining experiences with wine lists and cocktails to match. Book a massage before you check out and make sure you take a sunset cruise at the Turbine Waterclub to get fully immersed in the island's origin story.
If Plett is more your scene, try The Bungalow by Raw Africa Boutique Collection on Hobie Beach, with sea-facing rooms set in a gorgeous garden. The self-catering five-star venue has a bar and restaurant with a casual à la carte menu that features a sensational sushi selection. Take a morning beach stroll with your coffee while you wait for your breakfast and sit around the fire after dinner if the weather allows. While in Plett, book a swim with the seals via Offshore Adventures; it's an invigorating outing that never loses its novelty factor.