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>> Franschoek << Introduction
What to See
Huguenot Monument  The picturesque Huguenot Monument and the Memorial Museum form the biggest tribute to the French settlers of the region in the 17th century. There is a small fee to enter the garden area with nice flowers and a peaceful water feature. Huguenot Museum  The Memorial Museum is dedicated to the history of the French Huguenots who settled in the Cape and in the Franschoek valley. You'll discover the various tools they used to apply their wine making skills, the clothes they wore, the culture they brought and their desire to build a wonderful life in their new homes. Dutch Reformed Church  The Dutch Reformd Church of Franschoek dates as far back as 1846 and is located on Huguenot Road in the town center. The beautiful white church is complimented by the impressive Cape Dutch building just to it's right. The Wine Estates Franschoek is a major wine producing region in the Western Cape of South Africa. The wines produced in this picturesque valley are top quality reds, whites and Cap Classique. Listed below are some of the better known estates in the Franschoek Valley. What to Do
Franschoek Tour Guide To experience South Africa and Franschoek from a local point of view, you can visit our associate specialist tour guide, Cape Options, based in Cape Town for - Franschoek Guided Tours. Wine Tasting Visit one of the many excellent wine estates and taste the excellent wines produced in the region. Be sure to call ahead to make sure the estates are open for lunch and/or dinner. Ask your accommodation reception for help and advice. Bastille Day Every year, the weekend of or the weekend after the 14th of July, Franschoek celebrates its French heritage by putting on Bastille Day festivities with a variety of activities including wine tasting, cheese, good food and being merry. Enjoy the outdoors Franschoek is the perfect place to enjoy the outdoor activities available to all. Enjoy cycle rides, fly fishing, horse riding and long walks in the stunning mountain setting.
What to Eat
Beer The South African beer selection will satisfy just about an beer thirsty visitor. Your options will include Castle, Amstel, Hansa, Black Label and the Namibian Windhoek and Tafel. Boerewors Boerewors which means, farmer's sausage is a typical offering at any Braai. We like the Grabouw variety but there are plenty of different types to enjoy. Cape Wines The Western Cape has excellent red and white wines to please even the pickiest of palettes. Most wine estates are open for visits and tastings during the week and weekends. The prices are good, the settings are beautiful and the wines are excellent. The Franschoek valley has a particularly good pedigree and is a popular wine tourism destination. Cap Classique Cap Classique is South Africa's very own bubbly or Champagne. The traditional Methode Champagnoise is used to produce this excellent, dare we say it, "Champagne". Salmon Trout Salmon Trout is a local Franschoek speciality and is particularly good smoked. Seafood Seafood while in the Western Cape is an absolute must. Try the calamari, crayfish, oysters, mussels, snoek and any other delight from the sea while here. Biltong Biltong is dried meat. You can get all sorts, hot or mild. Beef, Springbok and Kudu are popular types. It is absolutely delicious. Pies In supermarkets, rest stops, fast food joints and several other places, you'll find pies. Not the healthiest of choices but they are affordable and filling while on the go. Potjiekos A meaty South African type of stew done in a steel pot on an open fire called a braai. There are all sorts of recipes around and they are all particularly good on a cold winter's day. The longer it is cooked, the better. Bobotie Bobotie is a traditional South African dish made of rice, minced beef, egg and sultanas. It's a bit spicy and delicious, especially with some Mango chutney. Desserts Milk tart and koeksisters, that's the really South African stuff. Braaivleis Translated as barbecued meat - enjoy the red meat in this country - it's fresh and delicious!
Where to Sleep
Hotels You can find excellent hotels in Franschoek and South Africa. Many of the main hotel sites will have listings for you in Franschhoek. Find Franschhoek.htm Hotels. Hostels There are hostels and cheap accommodation in Franschoek. Prices vary from hostel to hostel but are generally affordable. Search and book a hostel in Franschoek. Bed & Breakfast There are numerous excellent bed & breakfast accommodation options available in Franschoek, try one our booking services mentioned above to find a place to lay your head down at night.
How to Move
Airport The closest airport to Franschoek is Cape Town International and is about 45 minutes away from the town. The national carrier of South Africa is South African Airways and you can book flights with them at www.flysaa.com Find out more about the airport of Cape Town at www.airports.co.za Car A car is the best way to visit Franschoek and the surrounding area. The roads are good but drivers are not to be trusted, drive defensively. Driving is on the left-hand side of the road here. Some areas are best avoided while driving. Stay to main roads and highways to avoid any possible mishaps. Walk Franschoek is very safe to walk through and visit all day. However, stay aware and avoid unlit areas at night. Taxi Big VW Combi taxis are best avoided as tourists.
Locals
Language South Africa has 11 official languages so you will hear a variety of dialects. The most widely spoken in Franschoek are Afrikaans and English. Time Zone GMT +2 and South Africa does not observe daylight savings. Currency South African Rand divided into 100 cents Useful Links
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