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Experience Franschhoek this season!

Winter brings out the best that Franschhoek has to offer – cozy warm fireplaces, robust red wines, soul comforting food, memorable experiences, breath-taking scenery and so much more. Traditionally a quieter time in Franschhoek there are also a number of establishments in and around the Valley who are offering Winter inspired packages too good to refuse. Catering to most experiences what better excuse to breakaway for the weekend to a luxury guesthouse or boutique hotel. Snuggle up to their cozy fireplaces while enjoying a good book and sipping on local wines.
We recently invited a number of influencers to the valley for a 24-hour winter experience in Franschhoek. Based on their experiences which you can read all about below, Winter is a truly magical season in Franschhoek and one of the best times to explore the area.
 

Thea Beckman (Southern Vines)

https://www.southernvines.co.za/2019/05/24/why-we-love-franschhoek-in-winter/

Image by Thea Beckman

Want to travel like Thea? Here is her itinerary:
Day 1
9:45am : Arrival at La Motte for their Art Experience, which starts at 10am sharp. After the experience enjoy a glass of wine and hearty bowl of soup in front of the cozy fireplace before heading to your next stop.
12pm : Make your way to Bovine (42 Huguenot Road) for lunch, where you will be treated to their delicious Tuesday Burger Special, which is valid throughout Winter.
2pm : After lunch we invite you to enjoy a leisurely stroll through Main Road, exploring the selection of retail gems. These include art galleries, specialist wine shops, boutique stores as well as artisanal chocolate producers.
4pm : Check into La Galiniere Guest Cottages (Main Road) for the night.
7pm : Enjoy dinner at Le Petit Manoir Franschhoek (54 Huguenot Road).
Day 2 
8:30am : After checking out make your way to Big Dog Café (191 Main Road) for a delicious breakfast.
9:45am : Conclude your Franschhoek Wine Valley with a visit to Boschendal for their farm tour (weather permitting) concluding with an Under the Oaks Tasting at their Cellar Door.
 

Megan Daniels (Life With Me)

http://lifewithme.co.za/your-ultimate-warm-and-cozy-winter-guide-to-franschhoek/

Image by Megan Daniels

Want to travel like Megan? Here is her itinerary:
Day 1
11:30am : Your Franschhoek Open For Winter experience starts at Camelot Spa at Val de Vie Estate where you’ll be treated to a relaxing 60 minute spa treatment.
1:30pm : A rejuvenating treatment is guaranteed to work up an appetite, and next stop is a delicious lunch at La Motte Wine Estate.
3:30pm : Huguenot Fine Chocolates (62 Huguenot Rd) is next on your list for an informative chocolate tour and tasting.
Once you’ve indulged in a bit of chocolate you may want to walk it off and we encourage you to take a gentle stroll up Main Road to stop and browse the myriad of shops and hidden gems.
From 5pm : Check into Fleur du Soleil Guesthouse (7A Van Riebeek Street) for the night.
6pm : Tuk Tuk Microbrewery (14 Huguenot Rd) is where you’ll find yourselves for a quick beer tasting before heading off to dinner.
7:30pm : Dinner tonight will be at The Dining Room at Leeu Estates (Dassenberg Rd) where you’ll be treated to their three-course Winter menu.
Day 2
9:30am : Enjoy a delicious breakfast at The Bistro at Allée Bleue (Intersection R45 and R310).
 

Kristi de Freitas (LOKAL ZA)

https://lokalza.wordpress.com/2019/06/05/franschhoek-is-openforwinter/

Image by Kristi de Freitas

Want to travel like Kristi? Here is her itinerary:
Day 1
9:45am : Your Franschhoek #OpenForWinter experience starts with the Tuk Tuk Winelands Experience (54 Huguenot Street) and entails a visit to two wine farms by means of this unique mode of transport.
1pm : Next stop is to Hey Joe Brewery (situated on La Brasserie Farm on the R45 as you leave Franschhoek on the left) where we invite you to sample their range of craft beers with the sampling of their Beer Tasting Tray.
3pm : Before checking into your accommodation you’ll be making a quick stop to Leopard’s Leap Family Vineyards (R45 Main Road, Franschhoek) to sample one of their delicious wine cocktails.
From 4pm : Check into Auberge Clermont (Robertsvlei Road) for the night.
7pm : Dinner for this evening will be at La Petite Ferme (Franschhoek Pass Road), which boasts breath taking views of the Franschhoek Wine Valley.
Day 2
8:30am : After checking out conclude your Franschhoek experience with a delicious breakfast at La Bourgogne (Excelsior Rd, Franschhoek).
 

Kathryn Rossiter (Becoming You)

https://www.becomingyou.co.za/franschhoek-in-winter/

Image by Kathryn Rossiter

Want to travel like Kathryn? Here is her itinerary:
Day 1
1pm – 3pm : Her #OpenForWinter experience started at the annual Shiraz & Charcuterie Festival, which took place at Anthonij Rupert Wyne.
3:30pm : Make your way back to the village for a quick coffee and a pastry at River Café (29 Huguenot Road) before checking into accommodation.
5pm : Check into the luxuriously quaint self-catering Rose Cottage (Verdun Road).
7pm : Dinner is at Chef’s Warehouse at Maison (Maison Estate).
Day 2
9am : After checking out make your way to the Tuk Tuk Ticket Office (54 Huguenot Street) where you’ll be transported to Leeu Estates for a delicious breakfast. After breakfast the Tuk Tuk will take you back to your car.
 

Fiona Rossiter (Inspired Living SA)

https://www.inspiredlivingsa.co.za/2019/06/franschhoek-winter-escape-24-hour-getaway/travel

Image by Fiona Rossiter

Want to travel like Fiona? Here is her itinerary:
10:30am – 1:30pm : Your #OpenForWinter experience starts with brunch at the Good Food & Co (Place Vendome Lifestyle Centre, cnr. Uitkyk & Huguenot Street). After brunch enjoy a leisurely browse through the nearby Village Market and then a gentle stroll through the village where your next stop is EBONY Curated (32 Huguenot Rd), which home to a collection of fine artworks.
2pm – 4pm : Tucked away in the heart of the Franschhoek Wine Valley is GlenWood Vineyards and this is also the venue for your next experience – their unique Food & Wine Experience.
From 4pm : Check into Lily Pond House at Le Lude Wines (Bowling Green Avenue – Lambrechts Rd) for the night.
6pm : Wine tasting at Old Road Wine Co (R45, Franschhoek) followed by dinner.
Day 2
9:30am : After checking out enjoy a hearty breakfast at Bistro BonBon (La Petite Dauphine, Excelsior Road, Franschhoek).
11am : Conclude your Franschhoek Wine Valley #OpenForWinter experience with a visit to the Franschhoek Huguenot Museum for a tour of their latest exhibition.
 

Pilar Noriega (The Lifestyle Hunter)

5 indoor activities you can do during winter in Franschhoek, South Africa


Want to travel like Pilar? Here is her itinerary:
12pm : Your Franschhoek overnight experience starts with a delicious lunch at the Country Kitchen which is situated at the luxurious Mont Rochelle Hotel which boasts exquisite views of the Franschhoek Valley. After lunch you’ll be treated to a wine tasting before your next stop.
2h30 pm : After your lunch and wine tasting experience make your way back to the village where we’ve arranged for you to pop into two boutique stores. The first being Indian Summer (situated closer to the Huguenot Monument on your left – if the monument is behind you) followed by a quick visit to Masquerade (situated lower down and diagonally opposite Col’Cacchio.
4pm : Next on your list of fabulous Franschhoek experiences is the Franschhoek Beer Co (R45, 5km before Franschhoek Village, Franschhoek).
After your beer tasting experience it’s time to check into your accommodation for the evening, which happens to be the elegant and luxurious Rickety Bridge Winery accommodation (situated just outside Franschhoek in the direction of Cape Town) establishment.

My stay at Rickety Bridge Manor House in Franschhoek, South Africa


7pm :For dinner we’ve arranged for you to enjoy a delicious meal at Bovine (42 Huguenot Road), which will be for their Winter special menu.
Day 2
9:30am :After checking out make your way back into town for breakfast at The Big Dog Cafe at Terbodore.
11am :After breakfast make your way to the historic Huguenot Monument Museum (Lambrechts Road, Franschhoek) for a tour of their latest exhibition
12h30 pm : Your Franschhoek #OpenForWinter experience concludes with a heart-warming Winter inspired lunch at the Terra del Capo Antipasti Bar which is situated on the beautiful Anthonij Rupert Estate (situated on the outskirts of Franschhoek in the direction of Cape Town).
 

We invite you to come out from the cold and explore our breathtakingly beautiful valley this season!

For bookings and enquiries please contact the Franschhoek Wine Valley Tourism Office at 021 876 2861 or visit them at 62 Huguenot Road, Franschhoek.