Hiya!
Thought I'd post one of my recent pieces about THE most gorgeous place in the world. I swear it'll take your breath away. Its got everything going for it, great restaurants, amazingly lovely people and lots and lots of beautiful wine. Have a read, enjoy and hopefully start planning your trip there! Its only 2 hours out of Cape Town so it makes for the purrrrrfect breakaway. mmmm yum:)
Hemel en Aarde Valley
Translated
as Heaven on Earth Valley, it is that and so much more.
Part of the Hermanus Wine Route, Hemel en Aarde valley lies between the R43 to Hermanus
and R320 to Caledon.
The area is made up of three wine wards - Hemel-en-Aarde
Valley, Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley and Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge. The wines produced
in these wards are entirely unique to South Africa though rather similar to the
ones from North France, due to the
cool sea breeze and clay soil which favours the area. Two of the most popular
wines produced in the valley are a chardonnay and an exceptional pinot noir
though innovative blends and mineral Sauvignon Blancs complement the
range and leave no palate unsatisfied.
The Hemel & Aarde
Village situated at the entrance to the valley and just 2 kilometers from
Hermanus is an undiscovered gem. With its three
wineries Hermanuspieterfontein, Hornbill House & Whalehaven
Winery, world
famous Wine Village and brilliant restaurants, visitors are spoilt with a huge
range of wines within walking distance of each other.
Steadily gaining recognition as an integral part of the
Hermanus Wine Route, connoisseurs and simple wine lovers alike have been quick
to add Hemel en Aarde Valley to their itineraries and weekly forays.
Add to your wine
valley experience by exploring the surrounding Overberg region, best known for its outdoor and eco attractions. These choice
eco adventures top our list:
·
Count the skeletons of century old wrecked ships
along the shores of Cape Agulhas, the southernmost tip of Africa and the
official meeting place of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.
·
A
horticulturalist’ and bird lovers paradise, the Overberg which forms part of
the Cape Floral Kingdom abounds with vast species of fynbos and endless hiking
and walking trails.
·
Make for Gansbaai, the Great White Shark capital
of the world, and if you’re feeling really adventurous slip on a wetsuit and go
shark cage diving with the oceans fiercest predator.
·
The
Jackass Penguin Colony at Stony Point in Betty’s Bay is one of only two breeding
colonies in South Africa.
·
Considered
one of life’s musts –watch the Southern Right Whales and their calves
frolicking in the bays around Hermanus ‘the best land based whale watching site
in the world’ between July and November.
·
The
Overberg fruit route meandering through the villages of Barrydale, Elgin and Villiersdorp, is a great way of getting to grips with the region.
·
See the rare and endangered Cape Vulture in its only remaining breeding colony at De Hoop Nature Reserve.
