Global Greens, Vines & Views
It's a bit crazy. Why call them World Championships if they’re played in the same place all the time? World Golf Championships are meant to promote the game all over the globe ~ Ernie Els
Fancourt Hotel & Country Club
Day 1: Arrive Franschhoek - Le Quartier Français
Arrive in Cape Town where our representative will meet you, and your private driver will whisk you away to the Cape Winelands. Enjoy the remainder of the day settled into the country hospitality of Le Quartier Français and the exceptionally charming village of Franschhoek.
Day 2: Franschhoek - Le Quartier Français
This morning play a round at the nearby #5 ranked Pearl Valley Golf Estate, designed by Jack Nicklaus and surrounded by the Simonsberg and Drakenstein Mountains. Officially opened in November 2003 by Nicklaus and South African great, Gary Player, Pearl Valley Golf Estate was named "best new golf course of the year" by Golf Digest magazine in 2005, ranked as the best conditioned golf course in the Western Cape by Golf Digest for five consecutive years 2010-2014, and awarded the Compleat Golfer’s Five Star Experience Award for six consecutive years. The home of the SA Open in 2007, 2008 and 2009 provides a stern yet enjoyable golfing test.
This evening’s “must do” is to enjoy the unique African inspired Surprise Tasting Menu and superb wines of LQF’s The Tasting Room – the creation of award winning Relais & Châteaux Grande Chef Margot Janse. B
Day 3: Franschhoek - Le Quartier Français
For a delightful day, the Wine Tram hop-on hop-off tour is one of the best ways to discover the true essence of the valley’s 300 year history – picturesque vineyards, breath-taking scenery, warm hospitality, world-class cuisine, and complimentary wine tastings. Passengers aboard the tour will experience the Franschhoek Valley in a unique and leisurely way as they journey through rolling vineyards in an open-side tram and tram-bus stopping in at some of South Africa’s oldest and most distinguished wine estates. Transported around a loop of stops, they can hop-off and experience the activities each stop has to offer at their own pace - be it wine tasting, a cellar tour, lunch or simply a stroll through the vineyards - and when you’re ready, hop-on to continue the tour. A few of the estates one can visit are La Bri, Holden Manz, Dieu Donne, Chamonix, Mont Rochelle, La Couronne, Moreson, Leopard's Leap, Rickety Bridge and/or Grande Provence. B
Franschhoek Wine Tram
Day 4: Hermanus - Birkenhead House
This morning your driver will meet you for private transfer to Birkenhead House in Hermanus, a quintessential seaside destination overlooking the whale watcher’s paradise of Walker Bay. Enjoy the afternoon exploring the picturesque surrounds and activities Hermanus has to offer. The cliff path offers stretches from one end of Hermanus to the other, and whales can be seen playing as close as five meters from shore. For a close encounter with the gentle giants, enjoy a whale watching trip by boat.
BD with house wines/local beverages.
Birkenhead House
Day 5: Hermanus - Birkenhead House
Play a round this morning at nearby Arabella Country Club, considered by many to be the best golf course in the entire Western Cape Province. Home of the Nelson Mandela invitational since 2003, Arabella Country Club attracts top golfers and celebrities from the world over. Located alongside the scenic Bot River Lagoon and surrounded by indigenous “fynbos”, Arabella offers an incomparable golfing experience. BD with house wines/local beverages.
Arabella Country Club
Days 6-7: George - Fancourt Hotel & Country Club
Meet your driver this morning and continue on to the Garden Route and Fancourt Hotel Country Club and Golf Estate. This gorgeous landscaped acreage is home to three Gary Player-designed courses, and you will enjoy a round on two of them – the Montagu (ranked #7) and The Links. Opened in 2000, The Links is ranked #1 in South Africa by Golf Digest SA and #34 in the world by USA Golf Digest. It features a classic links design inspired by the best courses in Ireland and Scotland. Tee off in the shadow of the Outeniqua Mountains, relax in the luxurious accommodations, and experience the Fancourt Spa and shopping boutique in between rounds.
Fancourt is situated in the heart of the Garden Route, one of the most picturesque areas in the world. The suitably named 200km-long stretch along the southern coast of South Africa offers beautiful and diverse flora and fauna, coupled with a mild Mediterranean-like climate. Along with being the golfing Mecca of South Africa, the area offers a wide variety of things to do – from exploring meandering hiking trails to boating and fishing in the surrounding ocean, lakes and rivers. B
Day 8: Cape Town - Ellerman House
Finally, a beautiful drive returns you to the Western Cape and the cosmopolitan city of Cape Town. Your three days at Ellerman House, one of the finest luxury hotels in the world, can include a private tour of the Cape Peninsula, leisure time in Cape Town, and a round of golf at Steenberg Golf Estate.
Once the home of Sir John and Lady Ellerman, distinguished shipping magnates, Ellerman House sits perched on the slopes of Lion’s Head in the prestigious Bantry Bay residential area. This elegant Cape Edwardian mansion is known for having one of the most spectacular ocean views in South Africa and for housing a celebrated fine art collection with a uniquely South African twist. The property is not open to the public, offering a genuine level of privacy and luxury to guests. B
Ellerman House
Day 9: Cape Town - Ellerman House
This morning, head out to the Steenberg Golf Estate for another round of golf at one of the top courses in South Africa. Golf Digest’s rankings for 2014 moved up Steenberg in all categories. B
Day 10: Cape Town - Ellerman House
Enjoy a day of leisure in and around Cape Town with an optional private tour of the Cape Peninsula. B
Day 11: Cape Town
Your driver will meet you today for transfer to Cape Town International Airport where you will check-in for your journey homeward bound ~ fond memories intact. Farewell to the links of South Africa!
Suggestion: For a taste of the wild, extend your visit to Kruger National Park’s Lukimbi Safari Lodge. Play a round at #1 ranked Leopard Creek Country Club nearby on the southern border of Kruger - with water features that are home to pods of hippos and a par-five 9th hole that's a treat for long hitters. Lukimbi offers twice-daily game drives into the reserve with sightings of the Big Five and sounds of the bush to close out your day on this unforgettable adventure. No visit to South Africa is complete without having spotted, and perhaps photographed the Big Five.
