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Stellenbosch |
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The Winelands region is synonymous with all the best that the Cape has to offer.
A 40-minute drive from Cape Town brings you to this area where splendid mountains form a dramatic backdrop to lush vineyards and gabled Cape Dutch homesteads steeped in history where you can experience the hospitality and beauty of picturesque Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl.
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...experience the hospitality and beauty of picturesque Stellenbosch...
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Stellenbosch, the second oldest town in South Africa, was found in 1679, and developed from a colony of settlers to whom land had been granted on the on the banks of the Eerste River. The Eerste River (first river) was so called because it was the first river one would come across when traveling from the Cape. The settlers were encouraged to plant oak trees and Stellenbosch ’s oak laned streets bear testimony today in the town being know as “Eikestad ” – village of oaks. Some of the oaks have even been proclaimed national monuments.
Stellenbosch is also home to Stellenbosch University whose graduates boast that most of the country's Prime Ministers and many of the country's great sporting heroes (including more that 155 rugby Springboks) were educated there.
Stellenbosch and surrounding area offers a great variety of outdoor activities - from popular mountain biking and several hiking trails to world-class sports facilities and six truly great golf courses. The town is an important cultural center, with many museums and galleries housing important national and international art collections.
Since the founding of Stellenbosch in 1679, it has become synonymous with high quality award winning table wines. The cellars of the Wine Route are situated along the four main roads leading to Stellenbosch and most of them offer tours as well as lunches in their shaded gardens or restaurants together with a bottle of wine of your choice.
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