FEATURE


(French quarter in Dutch) just 45 minutes from Cape Town. The first French Huguenot settlers arrived in South Africa at Franschhoek in the 17th century and their influence lives on, for this is a place undeniably devoted to the creation and enjoyment of good food and wine.


If one of the lavishly furnished 11 individual suites at La Residence complete with objet d’art, Persian rugs and antiques hand-selected by Liz do not arouse the senses there’s no question the vineyards, plum orchards and stunning mountain background will do. For the culture-vultures there are plenty of activities, in the immediate surrounds of the village, there are more than 40 wine estates, many of which offer classical concerts, art exhibitions and jazz evenings alongside cellar tours, private wine tastings and award- winning dining experiences. You can also play golf, go trout fishing or quad-biking, paragliding, hot-air ballooning or take


horseback tours of the surrounding wine farms. When temperatures drop, curl up with a book in the library and hide away until cocktail time or sip hot chocolate beside an open fire amidst the collection of fine paintings.


South Africa’s main attraction is and probably always will be the Big Five but as La Residence demonstrates there are incredibly diverse areas of natural beauty to be found outside of Kruger. Nevertheless, for the full South African experience a three-stop trip to include sister properties Royal Malewane in Kruger and whale watching at the cliff top Birkenhead House might be in order.


For more information, please see www.theroyalportfolio.com or visit The Royal Portfolio at ILTM Americas 2012. OCTOBER2012 23


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