If you’ve already arranged your cheap domestic flights to Cape Town, you can start planning all kinds of wonderful adventures in and around the Mother City.

The winelands are one of those places that you can never get enough of on your trip to Cape Town. Here’s how to take the sweat out of planning to make the most of your time in this world-class destination.

Check out our mini-itinerary suggestions for your time among the vineyards of the Western Cape.

The Pleasures of Paarl

The Paarl wine route is a great place to start off your explorations. This route is South Africa’s second oldest and famed for its excellent Shiraz, crisp white wines and full-bodied, spicy reds.

Check in to the Babylonstoren Farm Hotel to experience the pure pleasure of simple country living in luxury surroundings. Accommodation is available in studio apartments or 3 bedroom cottages and a hearty farm style breakfast is included in the deal.

Spend your days meandering the glorious gardens on this property, dine at one of the excellent onsite restaurants, take a cellar tour and enjoy pampering spa experiences right on site or head out to see what the rest of Paarl has to offer.

At the KWV Sensorium, meander among the modern art while you sip on a glass of white or a fine Cape brandy.

The Spice Route is a one-stop destination for winelands excellence. Here you can enjoy local art, a chocolate-making experience, glassblowing demonstrations, craft beer pairings, wood-fired pizzas, biltong and a lesson in spice-blending at Brenda’s Deli.

Stellenbosch Sophistication

You’ll need a couple of nights and days to enjoy all 60 of the wine estates along this route, which is South Africa’s oldest wine growing region.

Luckily there’s no shortage of accommodation for your explorations. These are just two of the accommodation options available during your trip:

• A stay at the 5-star Lanzerac Hotel & Spa comes with many rewards. The rooms are luxurious and en-suite with private patios and expansive views. Breakfast, spa treatments, complimentary wine tastings and cellar tours as well as transfers to town are all included.
• For a self-catering stay the cottage at Kaapzicht Estate gives you the freedom to sample all the foodie delights of this wine route in your own time and space with access to bird watching, wine tasting, horse riding and walking right there on the estate.

From here you can venture out to enjoy the many charms of the Stellenbosch Slow Market, explore the history of this iconic town or simply sip your way through the long list of premier wine estates around town.

Fabulous Franschhoek

Franschhoek is believed to be the culinary hub of the Western Cape Wine Routes and one of the world’s most beautiful places to spend some time.

Here you can eat, drink and be merry against the stunning backdrop of the gorgeous Middagskransberg and Franschhoek Mountains. French flair is evident wherever you roam around these parts, from the historic Huguenot Memorial and Motor Museum to the fine dining restaurants dotted everywhere.

Hire a bicycle, take a guided horse-ride, mountain bike the great trails or hike to your heart’s content in this pristine countryside environment. In town, you can check out the art galleries, boutiques and book stores along Main Street or pop into one of the many chocolate shops in the area.

Places to stay are in no short supply. You can check in to the luxurious Boschendal Cottages for a self-catering stay or enjoy the excellent full board options at Rickety Bridge Wine Estate.

Indulge Your Wanderlust in Wellington

Wellington offers a laid-back old-school wine route experience where you are encouraged to take your time exploring and relaxing.

Meander up the Bainskloof Pass or hike to secret waterfall destinations in the folds of the surrounding hills. If mountain biking is your ‘go to’ for exercise, the trails in this area are hard to beat and you will work up a great thirst for late afternoon wine sampling. A private tour of Jorgensen’s Distillery to see gins, vodkas, brandies and absinthe brewing in their Harry Potter style copper cauldrons is also a must.

Accommodation options in this neck of the woods include the historic Diemersfontein Manor House or Garden Cottages for a truly tranquil experience.

Planning Your Trip to the Winelandscheap domestic flights 

These suggestions include only a few of the exceptional activities available in this world-class winelands destination.

Plan for plenty of free moments during your trip. As you spend time in the winelands you are sure to discover more attractions to tempt you off track.

Go ahead and start comparing cheap domestic flights in South Africa and begin your culinary country adventure.