South Africa
Winetram Days in Stellenbosch
The road to Stellenbosch wound through endless vineyards, glowing in the afternoon sun. We based ourselves here for two nights and spent one perfect day hopping on the Franschhoek Winetram, sipping wines and soaking up the views. The atmosphere was cheerful and relaxed: good wine, friendly people, and warm weather. In the evenings, we had great dinners in town and a short stroll through the pretty streets of Stellenbosch before heading to our next destination.
Lunch Stop at Diesel & Crème & The Karoo Moon Motel, Barrydale
We stopped at Diesel & Crème and The Karoo Moon Motel on our drive from Oudtshoorn to Stellenbosch, and it turned out to be a perfect lunch break. Barrydale felt like a quiet and safe town, and this place is clearly a popular stop for travelers passing through. The interior is nicely decorated, and outside there’s a food truck serving burgers. We went for a quick and easy lunch, and it hit the spot before continuing the drive.
Franschhoek Wine Tram
Figuring out how the wine tram works was honestly the most confusing part of the day. There are different lines, some changes depending on the day, and not everything is very clear online. We decided to go straight to the ticket office, which was the best choice. The staff were super helpful, asked what we were looking for, and helped us plan the route based on our lunch reservation. We managed to hop on the next tram just five minutes later. Our first stop was Grande Provence, a beautiful estate with art scattered throughout the garden. We did a wine tasting there without booking in advance and really enjoyed it. After that, we switched transport and headed to Mont Rochelle for lunch, where we sat on the terrace and enjoyed the view with a glass of wine. Our third stop was Haute Cabrière, where we kept it light with a glass of wine and some olives before hopping on again. We ended the day at Rickety Bridge with another tasting, where the staff took their time explaining the wines. The mix of wine, scenery, and relaxed pacing made it a very enjoyable day.
The Fat Butcher
We didn’t have a reservation at The Fat Butcher, which usually means you won’t get a table, but we were lucky enough to snag the last spot outside. It was a bit chilly, but we didn’t mind at all. The restaurant comes highly recommended, and once you’re there, you understand why. They have an impressive selection of steaks and even show you the cut before cooking if you want. The service was great, the food excellent, and even a quick look inside showed how nice the interior is. Definitely book ahead if you can.
