Things to do near
Idasvallei
*Distances are shown as the crow flies and not necessarily the actual travelling
distance.
Wine Estates
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Stellenbosch (1.9 km from Idasvallei) A distinguished country estate, Lanzerac Winery is preserving a 300-year-old legacy, producing exceptional wines in a beautiful and inviting setting.
Guests are invited to sample the wine selction in the cellar. Packages include the very popular Carnivor Tasting, the Savoury Pairing and the hand-selected Chocolate Pairing. For the peckish, try out the cheese platter to complement your wine.
Wine Estates
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Stellenbosch (2.4 km from Idasvallei) Annandale is the oldest wine farm in the Helderberg Valley and is nestled below the Helderberg and Stellenbosch mountains. A river gently meanders through Annandale Wine Estate flanked by trees planted in the late 1600s.
Annandale's 2004 Cavalier, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and CVP Port are some of the finest red wines avaliable. All grapes used are hand-selected during the harvesting process in order to maintain high quality control.
Visitors can enjoy panoramic views of Table Mountain, Lion's Head and the soothing swells of the Atlantic Ocean. The wine estate also holds an annual spitbraai and potjiejkos day accompanied by live music.
Popular Attractions
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Stellenbosch (2.7 km from Idasvallei) Tranquil gardens set in the heart of Stellenbosch and an easy walk from the centre of town. It is the oldest university botanical garden in South Africa and houses an extensive rare plant collection of indigenous and exotic plants.
Stroll down shaded footpaths and pass over stepping-stones to cross gentle streams and ponds. The gardens house a unique bonsai nursery, tropical areas, koi ponds and glass houses. An onsite restaurant offers breakfast, lunch and teas.
Open summer workdays 09:00 - 16:30
Open winter workdays 09:00 - 16:00
Restaurant open daily 09:00 - 17:00
Galleries and Museums
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Stellenbosch (2.9 km from Idasvallei) Stellies offers a lot more than just wine. Why not spend a day exploring the many historical buildings and Museums in Stellenbosch? There is something for everyone from the V.O.C Kruithuis, an old gunpowder house where war memorabilia is on display, to the Toy and Miniature Museum, where you can take a trip back to the good old days and look at what amused children before computer games and mobile phones.The Village Museum is another must during your stay in Stellenbosch, with its four lovingly restored historic homes which you can view at your leisure, Shreuderhuis, Blettermanhuis, OM Berghs House and the beautiful Grosvenor House. A visit to any of these wonderful historical buildings is sure to be a memorable one, and is a must for anyone visiting Stellenbosch!
Wine Estates
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Stellenbosch (3.7 km from Idasvallei) Inspired by Africa, a passion for wine and the ideas and philosophies of the world-renowned architect, Luis Barragan, Mont Destin cellar brings an exciting, innovative and fresh approach to wine and architecture in the Cape Winelands.
On 10 hectares of land owners Samantha and Ernest have planted the classic varieties: Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon; and some new and exciting varieties: Grenache, Mourvedré, Cinsaut and Viognier which gives us the opportunity to create the most interesting blends.
Enjoy an unforgettable experience tasting their uniquely hand-crafted wines at Mont Destin wine cellar which is definitely the first of its kind in South Africa.
Shopping Malls
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Stellenbosch (3.7 km from Idasvallei) Bosman’s Crossing is a picturesque blend of heritage and modernlifestyle with a trading village as the central theme. The trading village incorporatestourist shopping, community shopping and craft markets. To enhance visitor browsing,an arched village piazza, a river promenade and a cobbled arcade were addedwith an aesthetic emphasis on natural materials.This provides an area of leisure, reflecting traditional activities of theStellenbosch wine lands embraced by the ambience of a village square consistingof restaurants, coffee shops and wine bars, open square and arcade, riverfrontboardwalk and bridge, access to the nature reserve, mini museums and a place tohonour South Africa’s wine pioneers - a “third place” to meet people and makenew friends. Papegaaiberg is a stone's throw away, with the starting point of the 24-kilometre long Vineyard Hiking Trail, through a seriesof hills and ridges, through forest plantations, vineyards, olive groves andsome of the remaining small remnants of the coastal Renosterveld.
Popular Attractions
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Stellenbosch (3.9 km from Idasvallei) Step into a Victorian-era general dealer in historic Dorp Street. Yesteryear's Oom Samie se Winkel trades today in much the same way as it did back then. As you enter, the pungent aroma of dried fish, spices, tobacco and leather fills your nostrils.
Rummage through the shelves to find old fashioned sticky toffees, boiled sweets, collectible books, vintage clothing and authentic old butter churns. You might even walk out armed with a rare antique along with your purchases of fruit, vegetables, wine, biltong and bokkoms.
This nostalgic store also operates a wine boutique specializing in exceptional vintages and unusual releases. Here you can purchase a special gift or fine wine and they will pack and ship it to destinations across the globe. Celebrate afterwards at Oom Samie's adjoining restaurant, the Koffiehuis.
Wine Estates
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Stellenbosch (4.1 km from Idasvallei) Established in 1968, Die Bergkelder is a great place to spend some time if you're travelling near the Stellenbosch outskirts.
Known as the home of the Fleur du Cap wine range, Die Bergkelder is one of the area's most well-known estates. Wine tasting is available all week in the cellar, which has been constructed within the mountain side. There is also a wine museum and wine shop. For a more substantial experience, try booking a wine tour.
Wine Estates
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Stellenbosch (4.3 km from Idasvallei) Morgenhof Estate, located on the slopes of the Simonsberg Mountains, was granted in 1692 and has a rich history of ownership dating back to when the first Huguenots arrived at the Cape Colony.
Activities include wine tasting, picnics and dining at the Morgenhof Restaurant.
Hiking Trail
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Stellenbosch (4.3 km from Idasvallei) The striking Simonsberg Mountain offers a worthwhile challenge for serious hikers. Start at Thelema on the top of Helshoogte Pass and amble up a jeep track past vineyards. At the large dam and take the footpath marked by a cairn leading up to Simonsberg through the fynbos.
The trail takes hikers through wonderful kloofs to some stunning waterfalls. Breathtaking views of Pniel, the vineyards, and distant Cape Point, Table Mountain, Franschhoek Mountain, and the Hottentots Holland Mountain range can be seen from the summit.
After a big day out, Thelema promises the reward of eagerly anticipated refreshments! Thelema Estate is one of the highest and coolest wine estates in the Franschhoek and Stellenbosch area. Sipping one of their award winning wines is the best way to end a beautiful day in the mountains.
Duration: 6 – 8 hours
Difficulty: Tough
Wine Estates
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Stellenbosch (4.5 km from Idasvallei) Located in a beautiful portion of the Banhoek Valley between Franschhoek and Stellenbosch, Alluvia is truly one of South Africa's finest wine estates.
Alluvia Specialist Winery invites it's guests to an intimate wine tasting. There is also a myriad of activities to enjoy on the estate, including morning picnics, fly fishing, and personal packages on arrangement.
Galleries and Museums
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Stellenbosch (4.6 km from Idasvallei) The Rupert Museum has a wonderful collection of over 350 valuable and loved art works by well known South African artists and can be regarded as the premier collection of contemporary South African art from the period 1940 to 1970. Some of these paintings are still in their original frames.
The gallery showcases the best of South African artists such as, Maggie Laubser, Irma Stern, Alexis Preller, Walter Battiss, Elza Dziomba, Jean Welz, JH Pierneef, Lippy Lipshitz, Moses Kotler, Anton van Wouw and Coert Steynberg.
Wine Estates
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Stellenbosch (4.9 km from Idasvallei) Located on the slopes of the Helshoogte Pass, overlooking the beautiful Banhoek Valley, Bartinney Private Cellar produces fine wines from it's Sauvignon blanc, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes.
Tastings are available from Monday to Friday, open from 10h00 to 16H00. Cellar tours can be done upon prior arrangement.
Wine Estates
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Stellenbosch (5 km from Idasvallei) Knorhoek has a rich history dating back to 1793, and today strikes a good balance between wine making, and conserving the wildness of it's past.
Set in a tranquil atmosphere, the tasting room is an inviting place for you to enjoy some wine and cheese pairings. Relax under the shade of the oaks, and take in the beautiful surroundings.
For an adventure, inquire for more information about the horse-back tours, which is a lovely way to learn more about wine making while exploring this gorgeous countryside.
Golf Courses
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Stellenbosch (5.5 km from Idasvallei) Stellenbosch Golf Club sports a championship layout that has been host to many tournaments in the past.
Golfers will find themselves surrounded by vineyards and beautiful mountain views when navigating this challenging, yet picturesque 18-hole. Facilities include a pro shop, bar, and function room.