25 April 2017
One of the best things to do while the warmer weather lingers is to take a trip on City Sightseeing’s red bus and experience the popular Wine Tour.
So, that’s exactly what we did on a sunny Saturday in Cape Town. We made our way to Long Street (STOP 5), tickets in hand, to wait for the bright-red bus. Visitors have to hop on to the Mini Peninsula tour to get to the first stop of the Wine Tour, and can do so from STOP 1 or STOP 5.
A shot from the Mini Peninsula bus. (Image: City Sightseeing)
Once you’re on board, the tour takes you on a tranquil ride through the city, through the leafy southern suburbs and, eventually, to Constantia Nek (stop 21).
Those passengers wanting to join the Wine Tour then head to the designated stop for the Wine Tour and wait for the next red bus to arrive on schedule. This day trip has three stops and is the ideal way to visit local wine estates.
Groot Constantia
First up, we stopped at Groot Constantia, South Africa’s oldest wine farm. Founded in 1685 and a mere 25 minutes from Cape Town's city centre, this establishment is a favourite with locals and tourists alike. The sprawling estate, boasting some incredible views, is also a gorgeous destination for family events and picnics. Weekends are especially busy, as we soon found out while catching a glimpse of a bridal party having their photos taken.
Groot Constantia's sprawling view.
The farm’s eatery spills out on to the grass and there’s plenty of space to kick around a soccer ball with the kids or to just laze in the sun. Visitors can also experience wine tastings or enjoy an unusual chocolate and wine pairing.
The vineyards, views and historical buildings make this the ideal spot for keen photographers in pursuit of the perfect shot.
A view from the vineyards.
The red bus arrives every 15 minutes, so we hopped back on to explore the rest of the area. Click here to read more about this historical site.
Eagle's Nest
Next up was a visit to Eagles’ Nest, another farm in the Constantia Valley known for its award-winning wines and breathtaking views. The estate's restaurant is in a beautiful natural setting and perfect for a family day out, so bring the children along. You can enjoy some fun outdoor activities or simply sip on some of the estate's award-winning wines while enjoying the view.
Eagle's Nest is also committed to working with researchers to help nurture the eagles found in this region and preserve their natural habitat. Find out more about this stop here.
Beau Constantia
A boutique wine farm, Beau Constantia, at the top of Constantia Nek, offers quality wines and panoramic views. The venue caters to smaller crowds and has intimate settings ideal for wine tastings. Bring your loved one here for a special anniversary lunch at Chefs Warehouse, and sample one of its three wines on offer. More about this boutique wine farm here.
Once the day was done, we took the bus back to stop 21 and hopped on another Mini Peninsula Tour to retrace our steps back to Long Street.
One of the Wine Tour stops.
Some top tips for your trip on the Wine Tour
- Don't forget your sunblock
- Bring along a bottle of water and stay hydrated throughout the trip
- Wear comfortable shoes and be sure to bring along some warmer clothes as weather conditions are prone to changing
How do you start your adventure?
Buy your tickets online, from the ticket offices at STOP 1 or STOP 5, or from the bus driver. Ask your driver if you need any assistance of advice regarding hopping on and hopping off.
If you need any more motivation, have a look at the Wine Tour experience below:
