Route 62 Tour
(17-24 October 2008)

Our tour starts off in Cape Town, travels on the R62; tasting wines and fresh produce from the area, and includes the Wine in the River festival, gourmet food, historical towns and lots more. A full itinerary starting on the 17th of October and ending on the 24th of October as follows:

All our accommodation includes Cape Country Routes Accommodation

7th of October
On the 17th our tour starts of in Cape Town where we will be staying at The Village Lodge Portfolio on the De Waterkant.  Our accommodation is positioned in the centre of this historic setting, close to restaurants and design style shops. 

After meeting at the Village Lodge and after introductions we will travel to our first interactive event.  Our theme for the evening will be fish found in our oceans including perlemoen (abalone) and oysters and including fresh water fish found in our streams and dams.  We will be cooking with Garth Stoebel, one of South Africa’s leading chefs, respected and admired throughout the industry. Our dinner will be paired with wine to compliment the meal.

18th of October
After an early rise and breakfast we will leave for the 2.5 hour drive to join the “Wine on the River Festival” on the banks of the Breede River.  This will give us an opportunity to taste the best wine in the Robertson area and meet local wine makers. Listen to music, browse though the arts and crafts lane, enjoy lunch in this beautiful setting or sample local produce (lunch for clients own account).  There will be lots of opportunity to buy wine to take home as wine will be sold a cellar prices. 

After the day out on the River we will book into Jan Harmsgat Country Lodge outside Swellendam.  Here we will stay in old converted slave quarters and an original wine cellar, set amongst Pecan, Almond and Fruit orchards.  In the evening we will enjoy a wine and food pairing dinner of delectable cuisine.

19th of October    
After a light breakfast the morning there will be time to take in and enjoy the serene surroundings.  Lunch will be at the Old Goal restaurant, on the Drostdy Museum premises, where we will enjoy traditional "roosterbrood" filled with mouth watering South African delicacies, such as venison served with homemade lemonade.  (All beverages are included except for alcoholic beverages which are for clients own account). 

After lunch and a visit around the Drostdy Museum we take the bus to Oudtshoorn, travelling over the Tradouw Pass to Barrydale, Ladysmith and the Huisrivier Pass and through Calizdorp.  Our bus ride will take 2.5 hours.

In Oudtshoorn we will check into De Zeekoe and meet for a dinner with specialities from the area, especially Ostrich. Wine and beverages will be served with dinner.    

20th of October
For the early risers we have booked for “Meerkat Magic” which is a Meerkat Tour which lasts around 3 hours. The tour will start at sunrise and end in time for breakfast.  (this is for guests own account, but a must for all wild life enthusiasts)  After breakfast at De Zeekoe, we will travel the 27km Swartberg Pass – considered one of the most impressive mountain passes in the world to Prince Albert.  The gravel road winds to the summit 1583 meters above sea level in steep zigzags and sudden switchbacks with breathtaking views at every turn.  The road was built in 1888 by Thomas Charles Bain the brilliant road engineer of the 19th century by using hand labour drawn from the local goal and declared a National Monument in its Centenary Year in 1988.  People have been known to say “Those that have crossed it path will never forget it.”

Once in Prince Albert, known as an oasis in the Karoo, we will enjoy an interactive lunch of local fresh produce.

In the afternoon we will return to Oudsthoorn via Meirings Poort following the path of the river as it cuts through The Swartberg Mountains.  The Poort is as impressive as the pass with high daunting soaring cliff walls and spectacular rock formations.   

There are spectacular restaurants in Oudsthoorn, and the night is your own, where you can dine out, take a stroll down the main road, or relax in your comfortable accommodation. (dinner for guests account)

21st October
The next morning after breakfast, we will leave Oudtshoorn and leave for Montagu on our 2 .5 hour journey retracing our journey to Barrydale where the views and the splendour of the mountains will be just as breathtaking when viewed from the other direction.  We will be stopping at Calizdorp for a light lunch (at clients own expense) and visit two well known port producers in the area. 

From Barrydale we take the road through the Tradouw Valley, perhaps stopping at some wine estates along the way to Montagu, where we can discover another way of life in this friendly and hospitable small country village.  Our accommodation is Mimosa Lodge.   

At Mimosa we will enjoy a food and wine pairing dinner prepared by Chef Bernard Hess, renowned for his creative cuisine and using only the freshest ingredients from their own garden. 

22nd October
After our breakfast at Mimosa, we will travel to Bodega De Vinho Breadmaking where we will learn the art of bread making, stopping along the way for some olives and organic tomatoes which we will enjoy with lunch later.  Lunch will take place set in the Noree Valley outside Robertson where all produce is organically grown and turned into products such as Jams and Dried Fruits.  After a short tour around the farm and a short chat on jam making and organic we will enjoy a ploughman’s lunch of freshly made bread (made by ourselves) organic jams, organic wine and produce that we have sourced on the way.   

In the late afternoon we return to Montagu.  Here is your opportunity to leisurely wander down the high street where you can join the locals for a drink in the pub, or find a quaint restaurant.  (The evening activities are for your own account).

23rd October
After breakfast at Mimosa we leave Montagu and drive 2.5 hours to Ceres and book into Kagga Kamma from where we explore the Cederberg well known for its rock formations, scenic beauty and San Rock art.  Enjoy unspoilt nature and wildlife. 

We will start the evening with sundowners and a dinner served with wine to compliment your meal, followed by some star gazing. 

24th of October
The next morning after breakfast there will be time for a game drive and A San Art Tour followed, by a light lunch before returning to Cape Town.  (all beverages for guests own account)

We have made reservations at the De Waterkant Village for this evening, which we have included in your package.  This is the end of your gourmet experience, but not necessarily the end of your holiday.  There is a lot to do in Cape Town and the evening can be spent either exploring the bright lights or something more low key. 

Please let us know if you would like us to make reservations for a longer stay in Cape Town. 

Our tour includes:

• 8 x nights accommodation at the lodges and guests houses as described, including breakfast

• 1x  interactive dinner, including wine and beverages chosen by Samp and Souffle and their supplier and as described in the itinerary

• 4 x Food and Wine Pairing Dinner, designed by Samp and Souffle suppliers

• Entrance to the “Wine on the River” Festival

• 2 x  lunches – beverages as described in the itinerary

• 2 x interactive lunches, including wine and beverages as chosen by Samp and Souffle and their suppliers and as described in the itinerary.

• Wine tasting and fresh produce tasting as described in the itinerary

• Game Drives, San Art Tour and Star Gazing Activities as described

• Transport including a driver

Cost for this tour
R19000 per person sharing

For bookings and enquiries please contact Cheryl Adamson or Suzanne Foster on 0117284032 / 0824525215 or
Email on Suzanne@sampsouffle.com / sales@sampsouffle.com

Standard terms and conditions:

• All costs are quoted may vary in accordance with availability of chefs and accommodation.  Samp and Souffle reserve the right to change the itinerary to accommodate changes made by their suppliers. 

• Confirmation for group and individual bookings are accepted on receipt of deposit, either by cheque (no post dated cheques accepted), internet transfer (please fax proof of payment) or direct deposits into our accounts (cash only accepted).  Deposit is required 7 days after written confirmation of booking and balance 60 days before the event or tour.
• All costs are inclusive transport as described.   
• At the time of booking ask for a detailed itinerary detailing exact check in/check out times and inclusive items such as meals, beverages and auxiliary activities which have been included in the programme.
• All menus & chefs will only be confirmed upon booking, and are subject to change should seasonal ingredients not be available. Final culinary details will be confirmed one month prior to departure.
• All costs are inclusive of accommodation  
• These costs are based on a minimum of 12 people.  Costs will increase for a tour less than 12 people.  Should the minimum group not be achieved we reserve the right to cancel the event and refund your deposit in full.  In this case the interested parties will be given the opportunity to negotiate an agreed rate.    Please enquire about single room bookings. 
• Special dietary requirements need to be advised when booking and confirmations are made.
• Tours, activities and procurement that are weather dependant may be subject to change without notice. Please ask for typical weather considerations on booking.
• All courses are conducted in English. Facilities for other languages can be negotiated. 
• All details correct at time of going to press, programme may be subject to change without notice.
• Tours are subject to VAT of 14%