Winelands

The winelands stretch from the city to the idyllic towns of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek—which are connected by the gorgeous Helshoogte Pass and are often compared to Napa and Sonoma—and, if you’ve got time, far beyond. Stellenbosch is the bigger of the two, a university town of oak-lined streets and gracious old buildings, while Franschhoek is more remote and quieter. Both are filled with restaurants, galleries and vineyards with wine-tastings, picnics and their own bistros, including high-end Delaire Graaff, the old-time Muratie, the magnificent Vergelegen, the boutique Stark-Condé and by-appointment-only Boekenhoutskloof (in Franschhoek), makers of the popular Chocolate Block wine.