This week’s guest is Leoni Fourie of Eikendal Lodge, a fantastic winelands accommodation set below the sheltering Helderberg Mountains of Stellenbosch. She gives the 411 on the top local activities and recommends activities for families:
1. Favourite thing about the area:
There’s so much beauty out here – from breath-taking mountain and vineyard views, to good wine and good food!
2. When the weather is good, I recommend:
Visitors should take some time to appreciate the beautiful outdoors by going on a wine tour or a picnic in the vineyards.
3. When the weather is bad, I recommend:
There are numerous museums, galleries and places of interest. If it’s raining, then go sight-seeing in the area and exploring the historic town of Stellenbosch. Museum recommendations include Burgerhuis, Stellenbosch Museum, and the Toy and Miniature Museum.
4. Some great places to eat:
Stellenbosch has a great many eateries and restaurants that serve hearty, filling food. Some of my favourites are:
- Overture Restaurant within the Hidden Valley Wine Estate along Annandale Road. It offers a contemporary setting, with a blend of local and Mediterranean flavours, and amazing views as two of the walls are made of glass, to allow light to flood the room.
- 96 Winery Road Restaurant offers a fantastic blend of homey personal service with friendly yet unobtrusive staff, ensuring your evening is just what you expect it to be. The food is organic and served all day, and families with children are also welcome here. Located within Zandberg Farm, along Winery Road.
- Terroir Restaurant is a well-known gourmet delight set within Kleine Zalze Lodge, along Strand Road (the R44). Here, you can expect a blend of rustic and classy, with optional al fresco dining in the garden complete with shady umbrellas and silver service.
- Volkskombuis Restaurant has been operational for over forty years and is known for its signature Cape cuisines, with everything from Waterblommetjiebredie to Karoo Lamb available. The service here is personal and unassuming, and there is a wide selection of local wines available. Set along Aan de Wagen Road, Stellenbosch.
5. Where to take the kids:
There are plenty of entertainment venues and areas around for families with children, with one of the most popular being spending a day at False Bay beach. Visiting the nearby Monkey Town in Somerset West will provide hours of entertainment for all ages, and the Drakenstein Lion Park, set along Old Paarl Road (R310) is well worth seeing, purely for the thrill of it. There are also plenty of areas to go quad biking, mountain biking, and even horse-riding.
6. Where the locals hang out:
Dorp Street and Church Street – there are numerous restaurants, museums, attractions, and areas of interest along them, and they’re also filled with historical houses and beautiful architecture through the ages. The second most likely place to find locals is hanging out at Strand and Gordon’s Bay beaches.
7. The best kept secret:
Has to be our weekly Friday evening Food and Jazz event at Eikendal Vineyards! It starts at 17:00 and you can enjoy some of our award winning wines, and a selection of delectable food platters in an intimate setting with plenty of soulful, smooth jazz music.
Those visiting Stellenbosch should definitely consider staying at this beautiful, well-run bed and breakfast lodge. Here, you can spend a lazy few hours beside our sparkling pool, or relaxing in the guest lounge. Breakfast is served either indoors or outdoors, and you can also enjoy tours of our wine cellars, or visit the on-site Willie Haas Veterinary Clinic and see cheetahs and their cubs. Pets are catered for by arrangement and families with children are welcome. Rooms are well appointed, with tasteful décor, homey touches, and they are serviced daily. Suites, Luxury Rooms, Superior Rooms, and Standard Rooms are available, to suit your budget type. Find out more.
Let us know what your favourite Stellenbosch activities are.
