WINE DINE AND TRAVEL SUMMER 2020 -- SOUTH AFRICA
What to do with a gap between two travel adventures - the end of our thrilling Kenyan safari and the start of an exotic cruise from Cape Town? What else but explore another of the world’s iconic wine regions. Since we met three decades ago, whenever possible, my husband and I seek out wine country pleasures - bucolic views, charming inns, leisurely tastings and casual fine dining. If trips bring us near vineyards - Virginia to Oregon, France to Australia, we visit for an afternoon or several days. This time our wine country destination was South Africa, one of the oldest wine-making regions outside of Europe, where Dutch and French settlers began tending vines in the mid-1600s. For a week, including Valentine’s Day when we celebrated our 31st anniversary, we explored the stunningly beautiful Winelands of the western cape, less than an hour drive from Cape Town.
What to do with a gap between two travel adventures - the end of our thrilling Kenyan safari and the start of an exotic cruise from Cape Town? What else but explore another of the world’s iconic wine regions. Since we met three decades ago, whenever possible, my husband and I seek out wine country pleasures - bucolic views, charming inns, leisurely tastings and casual fine dining. If trips bring us near vineyards - Virginia to Oregon, France to Australia, we visit for an afternoon or several days. This time our wine country destination was South Africa, one of the oldest wine-making regions outside of Europe, where Dutch and French settlers began tending vines in the mid-1600s. For a week, including Valentine’s Day when we celebrated our 31st anniversary, we explored the stunningly beautiful Winelands of the western cape, less than an hour drive from Cape Town.
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
CORONA VIRUS UPDATE
The corona virus pandemic has suspended some
of the Caledonian Sleeper services from London
to Scotland.
Late in March 2020, trains were suspended
temporarily on the routes to Aberdeen and to
Fort William (described in the accompanying
story). Trains still were in operation between London
and Glasgow, London and Inverness and London
and Edinburgh.
Also, all station lounges used by passengers
were closed, and on-board club car service was
suspended. Instead, passengers could order food
and drink brought to their cabins by room service.
Passengers also can bring food and drink aboard
for consumption in their cabins.
In London, the two Caledonian Sleeper trains
-- Highlander and Lowlander service -- leave every
night except Saturday from Euston Station.
Trains coming south into London arrive around 8
a.m. All trains feature new carriages put into service
in 2019.
Passengers taking the Caledonian Sleeper
have a variety of accommodations available. Cabins
with beds include Classic Rooms, Club Rooms
and Caledonian Doubles. All rooms have wash
basins, and some include toilets and showers and
personal toiletry kits. All rooms have charging
points for electronic equipment. Fares in some
classes of service include a full breakfast; for others,
breakfast is available for purchase. In addition,
there is a car with seats for those travelers
not wanting full bedrooms
• Fares can change, depending on time of
year and time of booking.
• For up-to-date Caledonian Sleeper information:
https://www.sleeper.scot/
• The Alexandra Hotel, Fort William:
https://strathmorehotels-thealexandra.com
• Royal Highland Hotel, Inverness: https://
www.royalhighlandhotel.co.uk/
• Visit Scotland: https://www.visitscotland-
.com/
WINEDINEANDTRAVEL.COM 205
Change language