Arts writer
IT’S school holidays and that generally means finding new and exciting ways to entertain energetic little ones. Bundle them into the car and head to Franschhoek for a day of adventuring and sweetness.
Stop in at Huguenot Fine Chocolates where you can indulge in a chocolate tour with the highlight being a chocolate making demo and tasting. And with the flowers in bloom, you can even settle down for a picnic.
The hop-on hop-off Franschhoek Wine Tram will keep the children enthralled as you discover what makes the area so special: vineyards, scenery, warm hospitality, cuisine and wines. Take your tram adventure further and stop in at Anthonij Rupert Wyne and L’Ormarins where you can explore both farms on San Francisco inspired trams.
If you’re looking for some outdoor activities to work off the chocolate, Franschhoek also has numerous cycling routes available in and around the area. Routes are perfectly suited for the whole family. Bring along your bike or hire one through Franschhoek Cycles. Horse riding is also a popular activity, which can be arranged through the Cape Winelands Riding and Paradise Stables.
Make sure you pack in your hiking shoes, because the Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve has several trails on which you can to explore the fynbos, and maybe even spot a baboon or two along the way. If you prefer a more relaxing walk, the garden tour at Babylonstoren is where you want to be. The kids will have fun exploring the garden and tucking into fruit they can picked themselves.
The Franschhoek Motor Museum at L’Ormarins is the perfect outing for motor fanatics. The museum is home to a wide selection of vintage and exotic cars, motorcycles, bicycles and memorabilia. A car enthusiast’s dream.
For a little more of a glimpse into the past, the Museum van de Caab at Solms-Delta Wine Estate highlights Franschhoek’s history dating back from the Stone Age, the slave history of the farm, as well as recordings of the San people talking and singing.
Family friendly wineries include Leopard’s Leap Family Vineyards, Noble Hill, La Petite Ferme, Backsberg and Môreson.
* See http://franschhoek.org.za/tours-activities/franschhoek-for-families/ for more Franschhoek fun.