Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines

*   La Motte is hosting a talk on ‘Shiraz and all its facets‘ with a tasting on Thursday at 18h30 – 20h45. (received via newsletter from La Motte)

*Justin Bonello is launching his new book ‘Roads Less Travelled‘ in conjunction with his The Ultimate Braai Master judges Bertus Basson and Marthinus Ferreira in November. Unsurprisingly the book sizzles with the stories and experiences of the TV reality show, and the journey on the backroads of our country in testing the best of our country’s braaiers.

*   New York restaurant Eat has prohibited talking by its diners during their 4-course meals!

*   A new tourism region has been created, called the Vanilla Islands, consisting of Seychelles, Mauritius, Reunion, Seychelles, Madagascar, Comoros, Mayotte, and Maldives.

*   La Motte is participating in the Franschhoek Art in Clay Festival, and is hosting a talk by Samantha Brazer about ‘Art in Clay – the Traditions of Blue and White Porcelain’ at its Museum on 14 November at 19h00. (received via newsletter from La Motte)

*   The World Routes Conference will be held in Durban in 2015.

*   Tour operators have requested SAA to not cut its route to Buenos Aires, as has been suggested may happen.  Inbound travel from Argentina was worth more than R400 million last year.

*   The City of London has launched a new website about London for potential Chinese tourists and students in Mandarin, which was launched in China by its Mayor Boris Johnson.

*   Bistro Sixteen82 at Steenberg is celebrating its fourth birthday with a 5- course dinner on 13 November, at a cost of R325, which includes a glass of Brut Chardonnay. (received via e-mail from Steenberg)

*   ‘Art in the Atrium’ will be held alongside the Palms Market at The Palms Lifestyle and Decor Centre at 145 Sir Lowry Road, on Saturday from 10h00 – 14h00.  Work by Strijdom van der Merwe, Ceramic Matters, Nicolene Swanepoel, Clay Art, Kobus Le Grange, and Marinda du Toit will be on show. (received via e-mail from Isabella Niehaus)

*   An inaugural 12 km fun run WAY2WINE Trail Run and Wine Extravaganza around the Bottelary Hills wine estates takes place on 9 November.  Starting and finishing at Hazendal, the route covers the vineyards of Kaapzicht, Mooiplaas, Fort Simon, Goede Hoop, and Groenland, with the opportunity to taste wines at each estate. (received via media release from GC Communications)

Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com  Twitter: @WhaleCottage