Whale Watching And Hemel-en-Aarde Wine Tour

Start the day with a leisurely drive along the picturesque coastline of the South African Cape, passing by the coastal towns in the Gordon’s Bay, Pringle Bay and Betty’s Bay en route to Hermanus. This famous drive is aptly named the 'Cape Whale Route' because it boasts some of the best land-based, whale-watching spots in the world. The majestic Southern Right whale can be spotted year round but they are seen in abundance between June and November when they come to breed and calve. Ask your guide to show you the best spots for watching them along the way.

When you reach closer to Hermanus, make your ascent into the adjacent Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, known for its dramatic mountain landscapes and endless rows of grape vines. See for yourself why this valley is appropriately named 'Heaven & Earth' in Afrikaans.

This region’s close proximity to the ocean makes it the perfect location for cool-climate varietals, mainly of French, German and Northern Italian descent. Grapes of pinot noir, chardonnay and syrah varieties are all produced in this place. Most of the wineries in the valley are either boutique or small-production facilities but are growing rapidly in terms of recognition.

Stop at three of these wineries to taste the spectacular wines on offer, including at Domaine Des Dieux, the first and only Methode Cap Classique (MCC) producer in Hemel-en-Aarde, famous for its sparkling wine made in the Champagne method. This small-production, premium wine estate boasts stunning views of the valley that you can enjoy sipping their range of award-winning wines.

But that's not all. Get ready to sabrage a bottle of sparkling wine, as one of the tasting-room assistants will supply you with a bottle of bubbles and their famous, life-size sabre with which to pop open the cork. This experience is offered exclusively for Explore Sideways guests and is not to be missed.

Your last stop will be a visit to Creation Winery. Situated high up the Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge near Hermanus, Creation’s vines climb the steep hills of Babylonstoren Mountain to a lofty altitude of 350 meters above the sea level. Here they bask in generous sunlight, dance in the cool breezes blowing in from the nearby Atlantic Ocean and flourish in 450-million-year-old clay loam rich with decomposed Bokkeveld shale.

After you’re done sipping and sabraging wine, your guide will bring you back to your accommodation in Cape Town or Hermanus.