Nathan Fluellen is a prominent adventure and lifestyle television host in the United States and when we got a chance to host him in the Western Cape recently, we combined his love of adventure, wine and food for an awesome four-day itinerary. If you’re cut from the same cloth as Nate, take a look at what he got up to below.
Day One
Stellenbosch
Cycling experience with Songo Fipaza
Songo Fipaza is a well-known tri-athlete and tour guide based in Stellenbosch, a town with heaps of cycling tracks to explore. Songo will take you on a tour of the town and if you can give the UCI Cross Country track a go! Based at the Coetzenberg Stadium, it’s not for the faint of heart, but you take home the bragging rights if you et through it unscathed.
Website: www.songo.info
Pesto and Wine Pairing at Neil Ellis Wine Estate
Stellenbosch, of course, is home to one of the most famous wine routes on the planet, and wine pairings are nothing new to those in the know, but this wine and pesto pairing is definitely unique and something that needs to be tried. Breaking away from the more traditional chocolate and wine pairing, the team at Neil Ellis pair 4 pestos with some of their signature wines. Enjoy pesto – served with pita bread - made on-site in the kitchen and fabulous wines with this one of a kind tasting experience.
Dinner at The Kitchen, Stellenbosch Hotel
Located in the historic centre of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch Kitchen is housed in a National Monument building that previously housed the very popular Jan Cats Restaurant & Ladies Bar, established in 1987. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, this bistro-style restaurant has a ‘pasture to plate’ approach with only the finest ingredients from the region used.
Website: https://stellenboschkitchen.co.za
Overnight at Stellenbosch Hotel
Located in the heart of town, the Stellenbosch Hotel is perfectly situated. Close to museums, art galleries, restaurants, curio vendors and more, it’s the perfect base for travellers to explore from. The hotel was built on land granted by Governor Simon van der Stel between 1692 and 1701. The building was restored in 1987 and has been declared a National Monument.
Website: https://www.stellenboschhotel.co.za/
Day Two
Franschhoek
Breakfast at Coopmanshuis
Helena’s Restaurant in two adjoining dining areas within Coopmanhuijs. The menu is designed to reflect the bounty of the Cape, with specific emphasis on freshness and food provenance. At Helena’s, good unpretentious food and special wine add to the pleasures of life.
Website: https://coopmanhuijs.co.za/
Anthonij Rupert Wyne – Estate Package
Franschhoek is a valley famous for its wine, food and cultural offerings and this lovely packages offers up a little bit of everything. Enjoy an MCC tasting, a tram trip to Franschhoek Motor Museum, a tasting at the Terra del Capo Tasting room, an antipasto lunch and a premium wine tasting. It’s
Dinner at French Connection
This charming, bistro-style restaurant has a welcoming, unpretentious vibe, with a simple, yet incredibly enticing menu. Sink your teeth into crispy roast duck, fresh mussels or one of the restaurant’s excellent steak. Being this is Franschhoek, the wine menu is suitably impressive.
Website: https://www.frenchconnection.co.za/
Overnight at Lumley’s Place
Located just outside of Franschhoek in the small village of Pniel, this family-run, 4-star B&B is the perfect spot to put your feet up, relax and enjoy the natural splendour of the surrounding valley.
Website: https://www.places.co.za/accommodation/lumleys-place-bb.html
Day Three
Hermanus
Neptune Divers
Explore the seaside town of Hermanus from a different perspective with Neptune Divers. Offering a variety of dives, all dependant on your experience, Neptune Divers has a wealth of experience diving these waters. If you’re not up for a dive, they also offer sunset cruises, eco tours and more.
Website: https://www.ilovehermanus.co.za/listing/neptunes-divers/
Quad Bikes, SA Forest Adventures
Rated as one of the top quad trails in the country, the route takes you through the world-renowned vineyards of Hamilton Russell and Southern Right wineries, up the mountain – passing through beautiful fynbos – with your halfway point one of the most epic views in the Western Cape.
Website: https://www.saforestadventures.co.za/
Dinner at Burgundy Restaurant
Just a few metres away from Hermanus’ Old Harbour, The Burgundy Restaurant serves only the freshest food. The fish is caught fresh from the surrounding waters, the produce is from the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley and the bread is baked on site. Fantastic food, glorious wine, and impeccable service, Burgundy is the perfect place to break bread in Hermanus.
Website: http://www.burgundyrestaurant.co.za/
Overnight at Misty Waves
An impressive 4-star boutique hotel, Misty Waves is located in the heart of Hermanus. Incredible views, prime location, with restaurants, cliff path and shops in walking distance, Misty Waves is the perfect advertisement for ‘location, location, location’.
Day Four
Gansbaai
Fat bikes
Perfect for families looking for a bit of adventure, without too much hard work, the fat bike tours in Gansbaai combine incredible views, fresh air and some adrenaline-fuelled downhill dune racing! To be honest, apart from a couple of smallish climbs, most of the Sand Dunes tour is downhill or flat, meaning just about anybody can take part, even those with limited fitness levels. Other tours offered are the Hermanus Beach Trail, the DeKelders – Hermanus Beach Trail and for the fitter riders, The EPIC, which can last up to five hours.
Website: www.fatbiketours.co.za/fatbike-trails/
African penguin and seabird sanctuary
A project of the Dyer Island Conservation Trust, the African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary was set up to help with the protection of the endangered African penguin colonies of Dyer Island. Set up with a fully equipped lab and rehabilitation area, the sanctuary also has a vet on standby to assure immediate treatment of injured birds and to ensure they have the best chance of survival. Visitors to the sanctuary can view the birds in the habitat through one-way glass, set up to ensure the birds are interfered with as little as possible. As well as their work with the birds, the sanctuary does important work in research and education to do as much as possible to mitigate human impacts on our colonies.
Website: https://xplorio.com/gansbaai/african-penguin-seabird-sanctuary/
Boat tours
Of course, you cannot go to Gansbaai without boarding a boat to explore the waters bordering the coastal town. There are a number of operators, offering a variety of tours, ranging from whale-watching cruises and sea safaris to eco tours focusing on the research and conservation of the marine wildlife found in the area.
Overnight and dinner at Cliff Lodge, De Kelders
This stylish seafront guest house boasts one of the most epic views in the Cape Overberg. Located on the dramatic cliffs of De Kelders, overlooking Walker Bay, the view here is spellbinding to say the least. With five luxurious rooms, Cliff Lodge is perfect for this looking for an intimate getaway in an area renowned for its untamed beauty.
Website: http://www.clifflodge.co.za/
