Western Cape Article - South African Vacations

ART AND CRAFTSCraft Markets: Somerset West hosts two popular open-air craft markets on Saturdaymornings at Southey’s Vines in Main Road. The Country Craft Market, at which more than150 local artists and crafters display their work takes place on the last Saturday of everymonth. The Helderberg Veldwinkel (“Veld Shop”) takes place on the first and third Saturdaysof the month.Helderberg Art Route: The route operates on the last Sunday of every month when some13 artists and crafters open their homes to the public. One can meet the artists at workin their studios, creating African art, sculpture, pottery, jewellery and glassware.CUISINEHelderberg Wine Route: The route is only a 15-minute drive from Cape Town InternationalAirport and is near the town of Somerset West and quite close to the Stellenbosch and PaarlWine Routes.Vergelegen: Built by the Dutch Governor Willem Adriaan van der Stel in 1700, it is one of theoldest grants in the Helderberg region. The beautiful Vergelegen homestead has beenpreserved and the gardens restored to their original grandeur. The five magnificent massivecamphor trees planted in front of the house by Simon van der Stel have been proclaimedhistorical monuments. Today, Vergelegen is owned by the Anglo American Corporation and isopen to the public for wine-tasting, tours and lunches.Morgenster Wine Estate: A touch of Italy in the heart of the Cape! The historic MorgensterWine Estate in Lourensford Road also produces and sells virgin olive oil from five Italiancultivars. The hills behind the graceful homestead are covered in olive trees. Morgenster alsosells olive pasta and young olive trees. Visitors need to make appointments first.CULTURE / COMMUNITY TOURISMIndibano Cultural Village: The village lies near the Firlands Farm Stall on National Road N2 tothe Garden Route. The name means the “meeting place” and it is indeed where Western andAfrican cultures can mingle successfully. Visitors should make arrangements in advance andwill be welcomed by traditional African dancers and the smell of African dishes cooking on anopen fire. African huts and wooden sculptures, the shebeen, the restaurant and the friendlypeople all combine to create a feeling of stepping into another world.ENTERTAINMENT AND SHOPPINGSomerset Mall: The mall is the shopping Mecca of the Helderberg region.FAUNA AND FLORADick Dent Bird Sanctuary: This bird haven is located in Lower Victoria Street and offers ahome to a vast number of water birds as well as to other species of birds.Flora: Mesic mountain fynbos makes up the greatest part of the plant life in the area.Specimens of proteas, pincushions and cone bushes are abundant. Fine forests of silvertrees, some of the few remaining natural stands in the country, can be found atSilverboomkloof, north-west of the reserve. A clump of indigenous trees in the area known asDisa Gorge dates back hundreds of years and includes stinkwood, magnificent yellowwoodand rooiels trees, some of which are 40 m in height.Helderberg Nature Reserve: The reserve is situated in Verster Street and stretches up theslopes of the magnificent Helderberg Mountain. The wonders of nature can truly beappreciated in this beautiful reserve, which covers some 365 ha. It is particularly74