Untitled Document

October 15, 2009

I hope you had a lovely weekend, here in North Carolina it was gorgeous and warm, the trees are slowly beginning to show their beautiful colors. We took the opportunity to spend some time in the garden getting very muddy (as you can see from the pile of mud and dirty kids). We rent a beautiful house on Lake Norman, near Charlotte and part of our deal with the landlords is to tidy up the garden - lucky that we all enjoy being outside and gardening.

This week I'm tidying up loose ends, making sure that our team is up to date on all our wonderful clients and have systems in place to look after the business whilst Meredith and I are away in South Africa. I'm a bit of a control freak, which is good and bad, but luckily we have a fabulous team in place who know our business inside and out. Thank you to our wonderful team.

I'm very much looking forward to our trip to South Africa, particularly my time in the Cape Winelands. I can't wait to spend the day tasting yummy wines, enjoying the beautiful countryside, shopping in the many villages and having lunch overlooking the vineyards. There is so much to do in the Cape Winelands, South Africa's "Food & Wine" capital … I hope you enjoy this week's article, it's a beautiful love affair.

Enjoy!

Sandy Salle

A Culinary and Wine Tasting Affair of a Lifetime Awaits You in Cape Winelands

Immerse yourself in South Africa's celebrated "Food & Wine" capital, Cape Winelands. Famous for its fascinating countryside, infinite vineyards, and unique local cultures, Cape Winelands is one of the world's most highly-acclaimed wine countries.

As a wine lover's paradise, Cape Winelands explodes with the scent of plump grapes and fertile earth—and when combined, these two elements produce some of the world's greatest wines. Whether you're a wine connoisseur or simply love wine (without the tasting expertise), a tour through Cape Winelands will introduce you to spectacular wines, pairings, and wine making history.

Comprised of family owned vineyards that date back centuries ago, this region is rich with intriguing history and cultural heritage. Because there is so much more to visiting Cape Winelands than simply tasting wine, Cape Winelands has racked up quite the reputation with its well-rounded tours. From olive oil tastings, to brandy tastings, and village tours, to food and wine tasting tours, you'll discover how food and wine have played a crucial role in shaping Cape Winelands existence since the early 1600s.

Depending on the tour provider you choose, you have the opportunity to experience . . .

Winemaking tours: Have you ever dreamt about making your own wine? If so, you can bring that dream to life on a winemaking tour. During this tour, you experience the entire winemaking process and, in the end, you'll receive your very own bottled, delicious creations. From harvesting the grapes yourself, to crushing the grapes, to allowing your wine to ferment, you will have created a spectacular wine from start to finish. Once your wine has fermented and is properly bottled, the wine you have made will be shipped to your home (whether you live in Europe, the U.S., or elsewhere) for you to share with family and friends. In addition to actually making the wine, you'll also learn about food and wine pairings and how to make cheese, and you will experience several wine and olive tastings throughout the region.

Personal wine tasting tours: Whether you're looking to enjoy an intimate wine tasting tour on your honeymoon, or want to experience a tour with close friends or family, you will be able to have a completely private and personal experience on one of Cape Winelands' many multiday personal tours. Wine tasting tours go to some of Cape Winelands' most prestigious wine and olive estates, allowing you to try delicious wines, brandies, olive oils, and olives.

Because personal wine tasting tours allow you to choose your activities, you can eliminate any vineyards or estates you don't wish to see. For example, if you prefer white wine as opposed to red (or vice versa) you have the opportunity to hand select the vineyards that specialize primarily in whites (or reds). No matter the size of your group, you can experience a personal wine tasting tour that gives you the attention you deserve and a front-row wine tasting experience.

VIP Wine Tasting: Many of the personal multiday wine tasting tours provide you with the option of making a highly tailored itinerary that will incorporate your every individual preference. Whether you want to enjoy private, delectable lunches and picnics at exclusive wine estates and talk with the masters of winemaking themselves, or visit some of the most prestigious Winelands estates, VIP wine tasting tours will satisfy your every desire. Because some of the estates are by-appointment only, an intimate wine tasting tour allows you to visit some of the most exclusive estates throughout the Winelands. One such estate, The De Toren estate, is open by appointment only and is a rare treat to anyone's itinerary because the winemaker uses the traditional way of making wine—using basket presses instead of pumping the wine. Visitors on their personal Cape Winelands tour are able to meet De Toren's winemaker and enjoy a private tour and tasting.

One Day Tours: If you're not staying in Cape Winelands for several nights, a one day tour through some of the local villages and Cape Dutch farms is one of the best ways to witness all the beauty and highlights Cape Winelands has to offer. Some of the local villages you can visit while on one day tours include Franschhoek's historic French Huguenot Village, Paarl, and Stellenbosch. On these tours you will observe all-encompassing, classic Cape Dutch style architecture and spectacular sight-seeing, and learn about the rich cultural and historical heritage of the region from expert guides. You can also enjoy a variety of one day wine tasting and olive tasting tours.

Horseback riding tours: Take an intimate, multiday wine tasting tour through the prestigious wine vineyards of Franschhoek on horseback. Enjoy frequent stops at some of the region's most exceptional vineyards and relax on the rolling countryside for a delectable picnic. Visiting only the vineyards you want to see, you can be certain you'll experience the most personal, accommodating, and exceptional wine tasting tour you've ever had.

Because Cape Winelands is full of culinary sensations and famous for its exceptional wine reputation, it's the perfect destination for families and honeymooners alike who are looking for the vacation of a lifetime.

Ride Kenya Safari - AUGUST 23- SEPTEMBER 2, 2010

Trip Name: Kenya Riding Safari
Length of travel: 11 days (August 2010)
Countries Visited: Kenya

Highlights: With access to over 1.4 million acres, including two national parks, Ride Kenya has one of the largest wilderness concessions in Africa today. From the vast dry lake beds of Amboseli to the east, to the majestic Chyulu Hills to the west, Ride Kenya horse safaris traverse a variety of quintessential and game rich East African landscapes. With Mount Kilimanjaro as the back drop, the rides meander amongst 38 species of large mammals, including the Big Five, making Ride Kenya horse safaris an unforgettable experience. Ride Kenya mobile safaris are reminiscent of the safaris of old. Rides tend to cover between 15 to 30 miles per day during which the luxury camp is moved ahead to the next destination.

Detailed description of itinerary (in PDF)

Contact us today, and utilize our detailed destination-planning services and expert advice to send you on a life-altering experience like none other.

Meredith Hill and Sandy Salle Hills of Africa Travel specializes in customized African safari tours.

We offer spectacular adventures with personalized and customized service, guaranteed to provide you with the experience of a lifetime.

Hills of Africa Travel is a team of extraordinary travel agents and tour operators who are passionate about sharing the magic of Africa through first-hand knowledge and exemplary customer service. Our expert knowledge, experience, and passion for our customers allow us to create a personalized safari adventure of a lifetime for all travelers.

Whether you're taking a romantic honeymoon safari, a fun-filled family safari, or have always dreamed of experiencing the natural beauty of Africa and its wildlife, our exceptional agents and dedicated tour operators are here to provide you with the perfect African safari vacation.

To manage your subscription, please see the links below.

You may absolutely share this newsletter with people you think will benefit from it. When doing so, please forward it in its entirety, including our contact and copyright information. Thanks and enjoy!

The Hills of Africa Travel Newsletter is written by Meredith Hill and Sandy Salle and Hillsofafrica.com. If you have any questions or comments, please send them to: hoainfo@hillsofafrica.com