Tag Archives: cycling

WhaleTales Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines: 3 February

WhaleTalesTourism, Food, and Wine news headlines

*   The Tourism Business Council of South Africa FNB Tourism Business Index reflects that the tourism industry is improving, with a score of 108 for the last quarter of 2014. A score of 100 is the norm.  The Accommodation sector did even better, with an Index of 113, despite the impact of Ebola, and the Immigration Regulation changes introduced late last year.  ‘Other Tourism‘ (e.g. transport, food and beverage) scored 104, lower than had been forecast for the quarter.  The exchange rate has played a role in the improving Index.  For the first quarter of this year an average Index of about 102 is expected.

*   The Cape Winelands is experiencing its earliest harvest in 49 years, having started very early in the new year, almost a month earlier than last year.  VinPro explains that three perfect winters with enough cold and sufficient rain, combined with an unusually warmer August, has led to the earlier harvest.  A smaller harvest is expected this year, but is expected to be of a good quality.  Winemakers are facing a challenge in their cellars in that many cultivars are ripening almost at the same time.

*   Cycling in Cape Town is one of the best ways to see our city, writes the Los Angeles Times, describing Continue reading →

Wines2Whales race with a view

A brand new endurance mountain bicycle race has been launched, taking cyclists through wine estates and scenic landscapes never accessed by cyclists before, reports the Cape Argus.

The Wines2Whales MTB Race starts on Friday 13 November, and runs over three days.  It starts at Lourensford wine estate in Somerset West,  and travels through Sir Lowry’s Pass, Elgin, Houw Hoek, Bot River, the Hemel & Aarde valley, finishing in Hermanus, from which they can see the whales.  

The route passes through 13 wine estates and 26 private farms.   Some of the unique farms and areas through which the 262 cyclists will travel on the 262 km route are Morgenster, Wederwill Game Reserve, the Houwhoek Inn, Lebanon, Paul Cluver estate, Oak Valley, Karwyderskraal, Beaumont Winery, Wildekrans, Hamilton Russell estate, and ending at the Hermanuspietersfontein winery.

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

Dam new Franschhoek attraction

The Berg River Dam is set to become part of the Franschhoek tourism offering, if the development plans of the consultants CNdV Africa Planning & Design are accepted.

The plans include a 2 000 metre Olympic-size rowing course, a guest lodge, restaurants, and shops, reports the Cape Argus.  

The consultants have proposed that only tourism and recreational facilities should be provided at the Dam.    Non-motorised water activities such as sailing, angling, swimming, rowing and canoeing are to be offered.   On the edge of the dam, facilities for cycling, hiking and camping in tented accommodation are to be developed.