V-Flyer

Hi All

Am thinking of doing a trip to Capetown and possibly the Garden Route although only have 8 days.

Just wondering if any of you have any tips or advice on anything from bars [}:)] to bars [}:)] to things to do and hotels.

Any info is greatly appreciated

Thanks

Ooh ooh - 2-4 days to Port Elizabeth then 3 days in Shamwari. Might want to spend a night at Le Quartier Franais voted best small hotel in the world by CondŽ Nast apparently. Restaurant is to die for. Not really on your way though.

I would definitely recommend a couple of nights at the Phantom Forest eco lodge near Knysna. Wonderful rooms, service, food and wine.

Depending on when you go, whale watching in Hermanus is a must (Whale Rock Lodge is a good place to stay).

Le Quartier in Franschhoek is definitely worth a detour!

BC

Make sure it is the whale season if that is what you fancy. You can view from the shore, but also from a boat at Mossel Bay. You are more guaranteed from a boat, and will probably hit it lucky even out of season. In the southern winter you are likely to see humpback, orca, southern rights and minky. You would probably see bottle nose and spinner dolphins, although the spinners tend to be a bit further out on the edge of the agulas current.

You can also go shark diving (at George if I remember right) and even have a chance to see a great white if you have the balls (I don't!)

Shark Diving [:0]

I don't think so somehow!

Thanks for the tips guys, really appreciate your time. Only decided last night to go and am very excited as its one place I never seem to fly to as crew.

Driving back from franschoek once, we drove past a bay where a whole pod(?) of dolphins had swam to and were just playing!:D

Hermanus is great, as is cape point and obviously table mountain, the v&a waterfront etc.

Cheers,
VS045

BC..am I getting my figures right..Im looking at the phantomforest website and accoring to my math it's $400 for two night per person.. I know you recomeended this place(and I trust your taste)but I am a big believer in you get what you pay for,is this just a super value or is that the normal going rate down there?

Your maths is right: they currently have some good deals and the Rand has softened a little (ZAR11.6 = £1, mind you it was at 16 when we first went!). We've been there twice and both times it was a fantastic experience. The meals are unbelievably good, and the tree suites are wonderful.

South Africa is still relatively cheap for accommodation and dining. When we were last there we never spent more than about ZAR300 per head on meals, and every dining experience was great.

BC

In the past few years the Rand has fluctuated quite a bit going from around 11 to 20ish to the pound, now it has settles down again at 11-12 to the pound.

Cheers,
VS045

Put it this way JetWet - when we ate at LQF which is generally rated as one of Africa's best restaurants and came about 17 in the Restaurant Magazine top 50 this year we had the 8 course Gourmet taster menu with a different GOOD wine with each course for 600R pp. Stunning value.

Thanks guys,i'll bend your ears a little next year when im planning our trip..

Hello All,

We are spending 2 nights at Franschoek (Plumwood inn) and planning the tasting menu at LQF after your rave reviews!

We then go to Cape Town (Portswood Hotel) - we have a hire car for the duration (also 8 days) and would welcome any advice

Thanks

(VS603 - 15/01 rtn VS604 23/01)[:X]