Day 1

Depart from New York (JFK) or Washington Dulles (IAD) for your South African Airways flight to South Africa.

Day 2

On arrival in Johannesburg connect with your domestic flight to Cape Town where you will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel.

Between Robben Island and Table Mountain you’ll discover the famed Table Bay Hotel. During the day the cool Atlantic Ocean breeze eases the heat of Africa’s “Mother City”, Cape Town. Cosmopolitan, gracious and relaxed, the Table Bay is the sum of all that is good about its home town. And at dusk the hum of V&A Waterfront’s restaurants, bars and clubs beckon you from your luxurious room. The Table Bay is a sanctuary for people who enjoy their food and wine. Whether it’s elegant dining on authentic South African cuisine by acclaimed chefs, informal ‘al fresco’ meals, or high tea with freshly baked scones, cream and preserves, the Table Bay will add delight to any occasion. Like a grand hostess, she’s always one step ahead. And then there’s the Table Bay’s Union Bar at which you can enjoy a crystal clear glass of champagne, or savor the impressive range of deluxe single malt whiskeys stocked in the bar.

This evening enjoy dinner at the famed Aubergine Restaurant.

In their never ending pursuit for excellence, great emphasis is placed on the quality and service of the food and wines. Many have judged the result and bestowed every kind of accolade upon the Aubergine. Despite the recognition, Harald Bresselschmidt, chef and owner, never rests on his laurels. New and ever more exciting dishes are continually being created. Always using the finest local seasonal produce, seafood from the Cape Peninsula, Southern African Game and wild mushrooms from the forests to mention but a few. The cooking is a delicious combination of healthy modern, classical cuisine influenced by subtle Asian spices. Each tantalizing course may be complemented by a choice of wine from the selection of more than 200 wines.

Overnight on bed and breakfast basis at The Table Bay Hotel

Day 3

Over the next two days, you will explore and discover the scenic beauty of the Cape Peninsula and winelands of the Western Cape. You will taste the best of South African wine and food in an amazing variety of superb restaurants, a region which is an epicurean’s dream, given the availability of both fresh ingredients and spellbinding settings.

Today enjoy a tour of the Cape Peninsula, which allows visitors the opportunity to experience the variety of landscapes and scenery Cape Town has to offer. Experience the majestic beauty of the Atlantic seaboard and Chapman’s Peak. Continue to the quaint fishing village of Hout Bay and visit Cape Point and the colony of Jackass penguins at Boulders Beach. Lunch today is enjoyed at the Foodbarn, where the food is civilized without being pretentious ... that is to say it has natural taste, smells and textures, and much character... often it looks beautiful too! What is paramount is that it is prepared with respect, savvy and love.

This evening enjoy dinner at The Greenhouse Restaurant, where award winning chef Peter Tempelhoff, has had to create a very special menu for this very special space and as a result sees the introduction of Peter's new conceptual cuisine.

Over the past few months, this top 10 kitchen team has been hard at work developing an 'Imagination' tasting menu, where every dish is a surprise and is sure to leave an impression. Dishes such as 'Winter Forage' and 'Shellfish on a Beach' will leave you guessing until they arrive at the table. A freshly polished service team makes this a very special dining experience!

Overnight on bed and breakfast basis at The Table Bay Hotel

Day 4

Today depart on a full day tour of the Winelands. Here you get to taste the good life!

The marriage of fine wine with appropriately fine food is an indescribable experience. You will enjoy wine tasting at two specially selected wine estates and lunch in the winelands. The perfect pairing of wine and food is achieved by the combined efforts of the wine maker and chef. In the late afternoon, make your way to Franschhoek, where restaurants take food very seriously. It is not for nothing that, packed with prize winning restaurants, Franschhoek is known as the “Gourmet Capital of South Africa”

Le Quartier Français is a heavenly rural retreat, and Margot Jansen runs a restaurant to match – the Tasting Room.

Margot uses seasonal local ingredients, so visitors can expect to see wildebeest, Franschhoek trout or Ganzvlei Vastrap Cheddar on the menu. According to Eat Out South Africa, there’s a delightful sense of humor at play in this sensory journey…flavors adventurous and dallying with seasonal local produce and luxe ingredients like foie gras.

Overnight on bed and breakfast basis at Le Quartier Francais

Day 5

After breakfast transfer to Cape Town International Airport for your flight to George.

You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel.

Located in the Garden Route of South Africa , Knysna is beautifully surrounded by lush forests, clear lakes and beautiful beaches. This afternoon enjoy high tea at Belvidere Manor Hotel, one of the most beautiful and tranquil places along the Garden Route. After a relaxing afternoon, make your way to Plettenberg Bay.

Unsurpassed service and understated comfort, ensure a totally relaxed and truly South African experience at Laird’s Lodge.

This gracious Cape Dutch homestead, situated on a 24 acre estate, offers distant mountain views, wide open spaces, a secluded swimming pool, koi ponds, courtyards and an intimate cognac and cigar lounge. The lodge boasts one of the finest menus on the Garden Route specializing in seafood and venison, flavored with fresh herbs from the garden. Sumptuous breakfasts and convivial 4 course gourmet dinners are served in one of the traditional reed ceiling dining rooms or the rustically charming leaf strewn wine cellar.

Overnight on bed and breakfast basis at Lairds Lodge

Day 6

Today is spent sightseeing on the Garden Route.

The Birds of Eden project is situated just outside Plettenberg Bay and spans over a spectacular dome of indigenous forest. The sanctuary covers 2 hectares of beautiful lush green vegetation and has a "walk behind waterfall" After time spent at this birding paradise experience one of the main attractions of South Africa’s Garden Route and Eastern Cape - the large number of whales and dolphins that can be found splashing around in the beautiful warm waters of the Indian Ocean. Take a boat trip to watch these magnificent creatures in their natural surroundings.

Dinner is enjoyed at the lodge tonight.

Overnight on bed and breakfast basis at Lairds Lodge

Day 7

After breakfast transfer to Shamwari where you spend the following 2 nights.

Shamwari Private Game Reserve is home to Africa’s Big 5 (elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard), is malaria free and is situated in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. One of 7 lodges on the property, Eagles Crag is nestled in a valley and provides the ultimate luxury for the most discerning of travelers. Each of the nine superior rooms has been built to maximize the privacy of the guest in the most tranquil of settings. The luxury spa offers a wide variety of personalized treatments. The upper floor dining room and lounge, ground floor library, lounge and cocktail bar, all further compliment the guests African bushveld experience.

Overnight on fully inclusive basis Eagles Crag Lodge

Day 8

When you've spent all morning 'roughing it' in an open Landrover, you want to know you're coming back to a room or suite that offers you all the luxury and comfort you've come to expect, and gourmet food that will inspire and delight. There are various dining venue options to enjoy the exquisite cuisine served at Eagles Crag. There is the upper floor dining room, the expansive balconies with stunning views of the cliff, the lower deck and the outdoor boma under the stars around the fire. The Shamwari wine list is especially selected and includes a choice of red and white South African wines. A further selection of rare and fine wines and imported French champagne is also available. A selection of Cuban cigars are on offer from the humidor.

Overnight on fully inclusive basis Eagles Crag Lodge

Day 9

After breakfast, transfer to Port Elizabeth for your flight to Johannesburg and onward flight to the USA.

Day 10

Arrival in the United States at New York (JFK) or Washington Dulles (IAD) airports.

Includes

Round trip coach air on South African Airways from New York (JFK) or Washington (IAD) Airport to South Africa OR Tambo International Airport ~ Domestic coach air in South Africa as per the itinerary (Johannesburg - Cape Town – George, Port Elizabeth - Johannesburg) ~ Accommodation as per the itinerary ~ Most meals (7 x breakfast, 4 x lunch, 1x high tea, 7x dinner) ~ Ground Transfers ~ All park fees and safari activities ~ Cape Peninsula tour ~ Winelands tour ~ Birds of Eden - seasonal whale watching

Excludes

Add on air from other US cities ~ Any meals or services not mentioned above ~ Any items of personal expense - i.e. drinks, telephone calls, laundry etc. ~ Gratuities for rangers/guides/drivers