...Trip idea
Winter Warmer: South Africa & Mauritius
The perfect combination of cosmopolitan Cape Town, vineyard visits in the Winelands and the exotic beaches of Mauritius, this is your go-to winter warmer.
South Africa, Mauritius
Highlights
- City, wine and beach: this sunny African trio makes for a relaxing yet invigorating holiday best taken during our UK winter
- Travel by helicopter in South Africa, making shorter journeys all part of the fun
- Enjoy the sophistication of Cape Town while staying at an upmarket hotel with great views
- Delve into the gourmand joys of the Winelands and taste premium wines at famed wine estates
- Finish at an iconic hotel in Mauritius for a week of beachy bliss
WHEN TO GO
South Africa and Mauritius during the UK winter. Plan for warm temperatures and lots of sunshine.
WHO FOR
A heady mix of shopping, wine-tasting and reclining on white-sand beaches means this is an ideal trip for a couple seeking winter sun.
HOW TO GET THERE & AROUND
Direct flights from Heathrow will get you to Cape Town; from here a mix of helicopters and transfers make succinct journeys from one luxe hotel to the next. At the end of your holiday, fly home directly from Mauritius.
DAYS 1 - 3 CAPE TOWN
The beauty of this trip to South Africa and Mauritius is the ease with which you can travel between destinations, while enjoying three different experiences in Africa. Start in Cape Town, the sunshine capital of South Africa where good times await whether that’s enjoying fresh seafood in a plethora of buzzy restaurants, reaching the dizzying heights of Table Mountain by cable car or dropping by galleries and artisan shops.
For a showstopping arrival, be taken by helicopter from the airport to the V&A Waterfront, showing off glinting Cape Town in a glorious bird’s eye view framed by Table Mountain and cradled by both the Indian and Atlantic Oceans before transferring over to your hotel along Bantry Bay. While in Cape Town, be sure to pop down to Boulders Beach to see the adorable African penguins.
STAY: ELLERMAN HOUSE
Located in Bantry Bay, Ellerman House is an extremely comfortable and elegant hotel that has the bonus of a breathtaking view over the beach and onto Cape Town itself. Being slightly removed from the hubbub of the city gives Ellerman House a delicious exclusivity, and the spacious rooms with terraces and sea views, and the constantly changing art collection feels very decadent. Although Ellerman is known for its excellent food and comprehensive wine cellar, a fleet of smart Mercedes are on hand to take you into town for dinner if you require.
DAYS 4 - 7 FRANSCHHOEK
Arrive in style by helicopter directly onto the main lawn of wow-factor hotel La Residence, nestled in the heart of Franschhoek in the Winelands. If the weather is clear, you’ll have a fantastic view over Table Mountain as you swoop round the craggy peaks on your way. Franschhoek is a must on any oenophile’s itinerary – a wine region that was discovered by the Huguenots over 300 years ago, bringing over vines, expertise and viticulture traditions from France.
Today, Franschhoek has evolved into a pleasant town where an eclectic mixture of Cape Dutch architecture is home to micro-breweries, fine dining restaurants and buzzy eateries. This foodie destination, with plenty of Michelin-starred restaurants under its belt, is of course known for the 50 or so premium wine estates where you can taste wine, inspect vines and meet wine producers. Get to know this centuries-old wine industry and its grapes including pinotage, cabernet sauvignon and shiraz on a private tour of your preferred wineries.
STAY: LA RESIDENCE
As you land on the front lawn of La Residence by helicopter, take in rows of sweeping vines, the rugged mountain backdrop, the shimmering pool and flower-filled gardens. As you enter, the opulent surroundings, curated by the skilful hand of interiors maverick Liz Biden, are characterised by glinting chandeliers, gilded mirrors, lavish design elements and a vibrant colour palette. This almost-clashing décor works with aplomb, and into the suites, find vast, decorative spaces, lavish bathrooms, tubs-with-views and terraces large enough for private dining.
DAYS 8 -14 MAURITIUS
From Franschhoek, make your way to the airport for the final chapter of your stay. With your exploration of the Winelands and a cultural fix in sophisticated Cape Town, you will be ready for complete relaxation.
What better place to achieve this desirable objective than in Mauritius, an exotic island decorated with palm-fringed beaches, a laid-back atmosphere, a delicious Creole-fusion cuisine and some top-notch hotels. With a flight from Cape Town, arrive in this tropical paradise and prepare to spend your days sipping cocktails, savouring seafood feasts, swimming in the iridescent blue Indian Ocean and finally finishing that book.
STAY: ROYAL PALM
Set around its own cove with powder-soft sand and crystal-clear water, Royal Palm is the epitome of classy refinement and colonial elegance, located on stunning Grand Baie beach on Mauritius’ northern coastline. Achieving that hard-to-get right amalgamation of tasteful style, excellent personal service, yet with a wholly relaxed ambience, Royal Palm is all about the detail, allowing you to succumb to your beautiful environment. Suites are spacious with sea views, decorated in a pared-back palette of neutral linens, walnut and marble and dining is a delight from the weekly ‘Royal Grill’ to La Goelette, where everyone dresses up to enjoy its French-infused gastronomic offerings.
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