Cape Town & the Whale Route

Day 1- Fly to Cape Town with Virgin Atlantic.

Evening departure by Virgin Atlantic from London Heathrow to Cape Town (11 hours 30 minutes). ** Please note that for certain periods of the year Virgin Atlantic do not fly directly into Cape Town. In these circumstances we fly via Johannesburg with Virgin Atlantic, alternatively we can fly directly with British Airways however supplements may apply.

Day 2- Stay at the Winchester Mansions for six nights. Day at leisure.

On arrival you will be transferred to the Winchester Mansions in Cape Town (20km/ 30min) for six nights in a classic double room. Remainder of the day will be at leisure to relax or explore something of Cape Town.

Day 3- Tour of Cape Town, including Table Mountain and a professional diamond cutter.

This morning enjoy a guided tour of the Cape Town, designed to orientate and give you a full-colour insight into the extraordinary magic of Cape Town. We’ve chosen iconic buildings, snatches of its history, and experiences unique to this City. First up, it’s the cable car to the summit of the legendary Table Mountain – weather permitting – and from there, you’ll be able to see to the end of our world, including the City and surrounding layout of this southernmost tip of Africa (own account). We visit the country’s oldest building, The Castle (closed Sundays), and a short distance away, the Company Gardens, both historically fascinating and well conserved. Our drive continues past Parliament Buildings, City Hall and the Slave Lodge, and you’ll sense the depth of history via their distinctive architecture. Colonial then changes to colourful, as we move up the cobblestoned hills to the Malay Quarter, and marvel at the ice-cream colours of the quaint Bo-Kaap homes. Our day ends on a sparkling note, as we trace the moves of a professional diamond cutter, as he creates every girl’s dream stone. Perhaps you’ll be taking one home. Return to Winchester Mansions where your afternoon is at leisure.

Day 4- Full day to the Winelands for wine tasting at several different estates.

Today we have a superb day dedicated to celebrating the glorious grape, the exceptional winelands region, and the heavenly scenery. The area’s rich with history, and we can’t help but feel it as we move through the region to experience a wine cellar tour, where you’ll learn all about the process of winemaking, from grape to goblet. We visit the exquisite little town of Franschhoek, pass by the impressive Huguenot Monument, and in a town with a reputation for gourmet fare, where else could we choose to enjoy lunch (for own account). We wind our way to the heady heights of the Helshoogte Mountain Pass to meet the charming university town of Stellenbosch on the other side. We’ve set aside ample time to stroll through this little town, absorbing the quaintness, and sneaking into the odd shop or two! A trip to the winelands isn’t complete without a wine tasting, so we organized two at different wine estates. And of course, you’ll be able to purchase your favourite wine to take back home! This afternoon we return to Cape Town for an evening at leisure.

Day 5- Day at leisure.

Day at leisure in Cape Town.

Day 6- Full day tour of the Cape Town Townships and Robben Island.

Today you will be collected from your hotel to experience the wonderful raw energy of our Townships in one unforgettable morning. Strolling through Langa Township, pop in to a ‘shebeen’ (pub), observing the difference in housing quality and witnessing real progress being made in providing decent housing, new developments as well as the restoration of the old single quarters. Then from Langa to Khayelitsha the new kid on the block, the largest in Western Cape. Large scale developments abound, housing, schools, shopping malls, clinics and many private organisations doing a marvellous job in providing social and other skills to the people at large. This afternoon you will continue with a visit to Robben Island. Cruel home of our Nelson Mandela for so many years, it’s a highly charged and emotional moment when you visit the site of this suffering, and realize how far South Africa has come from those days. A tour of the island is guided by ex-prisoners.

Day 7- Full day Whale watching in Hermanus.

The once quiet little fishing village of Hermanus has an ace up its sleeve: it has the best shore-based whale watching in the world! We drive along the coast, lapping up the glorious ocean view, eyes peeled for the southern right whales at play. This massive mammals breaching are an awe-inspiring sight, and the excitement will undoubtedly leave you with a large appetite for a good lunch (own account). Time permitting, we visit a penguin colony (own account) on our return to Cape Town via the pretty apple-growing region of Elgin, then wind our way through Sir Lowry’s Pass – spectacular views - and back into the Mother City Cape Town.

Day 8- Morning at leisure. Early afternoon transfer to airport for Virgin Atlantic flight home.

Morning at leisure. Around midday check out of your room, put your luggage into the hotels storage. Early this afternoon transfer back to Cape Town Airport for your South African Airways flights to Johannesburg. On your arrival in Johannesburg connect directly onto your Virgin Atlantic flight to London Heathrow.

Day 9- Arrive at London Heathrow in the early morning.

Arrival back into London Heathrow

Winchester Mansions

Winchester Mansions Cape Town, a charming privately owned hotel which is ideally located near to the Victoria and Alfred and overlooks the Atlantic Ocean. With a selection of 51 contemporary guest rooms and 25 suites which have either a courtyard or sea view. Each room is equipped with air conditioning, mini-bar, safe and en suite bathroom with soaking tub and shower. Heavey’s restaurant at Winchester Mansions offers good honest food and is well known throughout Cape Town for its ‘Sunday Jazz Brunch’, booking is recommended. The hotel also boasts an outdoor heated swimming pool which does wonders after a days sightseeing.

Virgin Atlantic - Premium Economy

Cost: from £ 625

Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy offers passengers extra space and comfort with luxurious leather seats offering 38 inches of pitch room and an increased seat width of 21 inches. Before departure clients have access to a separate check-in area and also priority boarding and where possible passengers and luggage will be prioritised off the plane. Onboard, Premium Economy passengers have a dedicated cabin crew who will provide complimentary newspapers, drinks, and amenity kit and serve upgraded three course meals which are served on stylish china plates with stainless steel cutlery. Please kindly note that all airline product information is correct at time of writing however we do ask clients to take our advice in good faith as airlines frequently change such details and do not always send updates to us on changes to certain aspects of their products and services.

Virgin Atlantic - Upper Class (Business Class)

Cost: from £ 2895

Virgin Atlantic aims to spoil their passengers rotten with their Upper Class cabin which boasts some of the biggest Upper Class seats in the industry. The comfy 22 inch wide seats turn into 33 inch wide, 6.6 feet long totally flat beds at the click of a button. Each seat has its own 10.4 inch television with a massive list of entertainment plus an individual power point, table and laptop storage space. The elegant onboard dining experience allows passengers to choose from a wide menu of fine food and a drinks list including champagne, bucks fizz and cocktails. Prior to departure Upper Class benefits include a dedicated check-in area, a priority security lane at Heathrow and access to the exclusive Virgin Atlantic Clubhouses at Heathrow and Gatwick and those abroad where applicable ** ** In airports where Virgin Atlantic to not have a Clubhouse, Upper Class passenger’s will have access to an alternative Upper Class Lounge. These shared lounges are either owned by the airport authorities or another airline. Please kindly note that all airline product information is correct at time of writing however we do ask clients to take our advice in good faith as airlines frequently change such details and do not always send updates to us on changes to certain aspects of their products and services.