5 Seasons Guest House 5 Seasons Guest House lies very quiet in a Jacaranda tree-lined back road, only five minutes walking distance away from the historic town centre of (the 2nd oldest town in South Africa), Stellenbosch. Rating : View details   |   Book now   |   Tell a friend

Acara Self Catering Cottages Situated in the middle of the Winelands, near Stellenbosch, Acara is nestled in a valley called "Happy Vale" amidst scenic vineyards and has beautiful views of the Helderberg Mountains. Rating : N/A View details   |   Book now   |   Tell a friend

Batavia Boutique Hotel Experience the Batavia - reminiscent of the comfortable villas that hosted discerning travellers and lordly merchants in the bygone days of the Dutch East India Company. Rating : View details   |   Book now   |   Tell a friend

Clouds Village Experience a bit of Heaven on Earth! Clouds Village, a cluster of 4 charming guest cottages, is situated high up against the mountain of Helshoogte Pass, on a little boutique vineyard in the heart of the Banhoek Valley. Rating : View details   |   Book now   |   Tell a friend

d’Ouwe Werf Established in 1802, d’Ouwe Werf is South Africa’s oldest Inn (Hotel). Situated in the heart of the university town of Stellenbosch, d’Ouwe Werf has defined hospitality and fine dining for centuries. Rating : View details   |   Book now   |   Tell a friend

Knorhoek Guest House Knorhoek is one of the most beautiful privately owned wine farms, offering the unique combination of accommodation, wine making, wine tasting, seasonal meals and the tranquil beauty of mountains, vineyards, oak trees and gardens. Rating : View details   |   Book now   |   Tell a friend

Marianne Guest House and Apartments Marianne Guest House and Apartments is situated on the Marianne Wine Estate which is surrounded by orchards and vineyards at the foothills of the Simonsberg mountains outside Stellenbosch. Rating : View details   |   Book now   |   Tell a friend

Stellenbosch Hotel Enjoy old world charm with air-conditioned modern comforts and friendly, attentive hospitality in the historic centre of Stellenbosch - Capital of South Africa’s most famous wine route. Rating : View details   |   Book now   |   Tell a friend

Stellenview Luxury Cottage Enjoy a country stay within walking distance from the historic centre of Stellenbosch. This luxury cottage, suitable for 2 adults is situated next to a beautiful farm overlooking Stellenbosch, surrounding mountains and vineyards. Rating : View details   |   Book now   |   Tell a friend

... more listings to follow History of Stellenbosch Stellenbosch is the second oldest town in South Africa after Cape Town. Stellenbosch lies near the head of the Eerste River Valley and is one of the most beautiful towns in South Africa, while the valley produces the grapes for some of the world’s finest wines. Stellenbosch is in the heart of a fertile farming area, where many wine farms are found and the town itself homes one of the oldest universities in South Africa (the University of Stellenbosch), which is more popular today than ever. This charming, unique little town has a rich history and many interesting things to see and do. Stellenbosch was founded by Simon van der Stel in 1679, when he was appointed Governor of the Cape and travelled over to South Africa with his children from Holland. After arriving in Cape Town, he and his party journeyed towards the mountains of Africa, where eventually they came across a lush valley, which Simon van der Stel described as a “level valley”, very suitable for agriculture, provided with water from the passing river and adorned with many wooded areas suitable for firewood and gardens.Van der Stel’s party pitched tents on an island; which has long since disappeared; and named the area Stellenbosch or “van der stel’s bush”. Within a few years the valley was dotted with thatched houses and the ground was being used for agriculture. After a pleasant stay in Stellenbosch, the Van der Stel family returned to Cape Town leaving the town to grow, while retaining a special interest in Stellenbosch; often having to return to sort out quarrels about land rights, on one of these trips Van der Stel created a county court to settle any further disputes, in which members were elected and changed each year by an election. All matters had to be approved by Van der Stel regarding the growth of his town. Travelling to and from Cape Town Van der Stel went along the Wagon Road, known as Dorp Street today which is one of the best preserved old-time streets in South Africa. By 1683 there were about 30 families in Stellenbosch, in that year the first school was built and the magistrate was appointed. In 1686 the church was built and an annual gathering was held there to celebrate the town’s founder, Simon van der Stel’s birthday on the 14 October, which he always attended. His birthday is still celebrated in Stellenbosch to this day. In 1717 a new church was granted after fire swept through the town and burned the old church to the ground. This new church served the community up until 1862, until it was too small to accommodate the population of the rapidly growing town, when the church of neo-Gothic, was built. This church was designed by Carl Otto Hagen and was built by craftsmen brought over from Holland. There is a superb organ inside and the fabulous stained glass for the windows came all the way from France, the pieces of glass are set in concrete. The ruins of the first church were left until 1802, when the site was sold and the Wium’s Hotel was built in it’s place. In 1972 the hotel was bought by Gerhard Lubbe, who restored the foundations of the church, which can be seen in the hotel basement. This hotel is called D’Ouwe Werf today. D’ouwe Werf is the oldest country inn hotel within South Africa. So Stellenbosch was formed and to this day is still a charming town. Ancient oak trees line the streets around the new church and the white buildings are well maintained to give a feel of the historic roots of this town. Historic Walks Dorp Street is the old wagon road that once led to Cape Town. As you walk along Dorp Street, firstly be on the lookout for the mix of architectural styles, from Cape Dutch to Victorian. Look up at the variety of gables, arched gateways, shuttered French windows and thatched roofs – most of the latter have been replaced with corrugated iron, but a few are still visible. Starting from the top at 182 Dorp Street is the beautiful Old Reading Room, now a private residence. Around the corner in 2 Ryneveld Street, you will see Kolonieshuis which offered accommodation to visitors when Stellenbosch was known as a “colony” of the settlement at the Cape. Back in Dorp Street you will notice that not all the houses have gables – Saxenhof at 159 has one of the most charming balconies in Stellenbosch. Next to it are four very attractive connected Cape Dutch houses. Framed by oak trees with a water furrow in front, they offer a picture of the tranquil life in times gone by. At 160 – 162 Dorp Street you will find the Stellenbosch Hotel, the main house of which was rebuilt after a fire in 1803 and presents a wonderful example of a neo-classical gable. Note that the gateway linked to the main house at no 156. It is one of the few surviving originals. The Old Lutheran Church, also designed by Otto Hager, now serves as an art gallery. At 120 – 122 the Stellenbosch Gymnasium received its first pupils in 1866. Across the street no 95 is home to “La Gratitude”, designed and built by the Reverend Meent Borcherds who supplemented his meager income by being a successful part-time farmer. No wonder the famous architect, Sir Herbert Baker called the Cape Dutch Style “the most beautiful domestic architecture in the world”. Look at the gable of the famous “All Seeing Eye”. Opposite, a little further down the street, is the popular Oom Samie se Winkel which stocks a wide variety of goods you won’t find in any supermarket and has a wonderful atmosphere. Further down at 63 Dorp Street is a lovely homestead, Vredelust, the Kriges Cottages, built by Willie Krige who farmed at Vredelust in the late 1800’s. Libertas Parva is situated at 25 – 33 Dorp Street. The main house has two front doors, one of which opens into a passage; the other does not open – it was only installed to maintain symmetry. Now retrace your steps and turn into Market Street. On the left as you walk along Market Street you will come to De Eiken, this is of significance as it was home to Carl Otto Hager, the architect of the Moederkerk and the Old Lutheran Church. Further along is Van Der Bijl House, names after Johannes ban der Bijl, a pioneer in tree grafting, who moved there in 1848. Soon Market Street is joined by Herte Street, which is home to a simple row of cottages which were built in the 1830’s by a missionary teacher of recently emancipated slaves. Turning the corner of Market Street you will see a white stone wall and a lush green garden with a lovely Cape Dutch House at the top. This is the Rhenish Parsonage and the Toy Museum, the museum is well worth a visit to bring back childhood memories.The Parsonage itself is set in beautiful gardens and has some stunning architecture. At the top of Market Street where it splits into two is a little island on which you will see the VOC Kruithuis, an old gunpowder house which was built in 1777. Now it has a small and interesting museum inside. You have now come to the Braak, or the village green. In the north western corner stands St Mary’s on the Braak, a lovely little Anglican Church. Note the sundial built into the wall of the church. On the corner of Bloem and Alexander Streets is the Burgerhuis. It houses an outstanding collection of furniture, porcelain and glassware as well as the headquarters of the Historical Homes of South Africa. Across the road is the Coachman’s cottage and Laetitia. On the southern side and overlooking the Braak is the Rhenish Church. Completed in 1840 with funds raised within the village, this was firstly, a place of education and spiritual welfare of slaves. A curious detail is that there are two bell towers. Next to it in Bloem Street are the buildings of the Rhenish Institute, a school built for the daughters of the missionaries. Today it is an art school. As you leave the church onto Drostdy Street, turn right and continue along to the Village Museum, which is a collection of houses decorated in different period styles from Stellenbosch’s history. Stellenbosch Wine Route. The Stellenbosch Wine Route now comprises way over 115 cellars of whom most are open to the public and where some of the finest, award winning wines can be sampled. Wines of the region are of a very high standard and regularly win International awards. Although the farms have been handed down through generations, recently some foreign investment has seen the area infiltrated by some overseas buyers. As a result a healthy cross pollination has taken place. Wine tours are a regular for any visitor and here you have a choice of the old world charm or modern large estates where focus is on drawing large numbers. Stellenbosch is wine country and this must truly be a Mecca for any wine lover as well as those interested in learning more about the art. Farms are surrounded by the natural beauty of nature with some of the most spectacular mountains around. This again leads to endless possibilities of scenic and site seeing trips. With the vineyards as backdrop and the ever-changing color of the leaves transforming the landscape constantly. Harvest time is normally in late January – early February and the smell hangs in the air and creates an air of excitement and is something to be experienced. For some specialized wine tours of the Stellenbosch region, please have a look at www.larochelletours.com Festivals and Events Stellenbosch has a rich history of special events and festivals. It makes Stellenbosch a year round destination to visit.Some of these festivals and events include the following: • Stellenbosch Food and Wine Festival • Wine makers Guild Auction • Stellenbosch Young Wine Show • SA Cheese Festival • Music and Arts Festival • Street Festival • Van der Stel Festival • Strawberry Festival • Blaauwklippen Blending Competition • Winelands Marathon • Bottelary Family Day • Woordfees • Devon Valley Run • German Festival Places of Interest • Stellenbosch Botanical Gardens • Jan Marias Nature Reserve • Sasol Art Gallery • Stellenbosch University Museum • Die Bergkelder • Helshoogte Pass • Coetzenburg Athletics Stadium • Stellenryck Wine Museum • Van Rijn Brandy Centre • Oom Samie se Winkel • Toy Museum Stellenbosch Weddings Weddings within the Stellenbosch region are fast becoming more and more popular. It is seen as extremely fashionable to get married on a Stellenbosch Wine Estate and some wedding venues in and around Stellenbosch is sometimes booked out more than 1 year in advance. Stellenbosch weddings is especially popular with overseas couples as it is sometimes cheaper to fly close family and friends out to South Africa than to arrange and pay for a wedding held in, for example, London. Stellenbosch offers a wide variety of wedding venues to choose from and many venues even offer the service of a wedding co ordinator. For assistance with venues or accommodation for your wedding guests, please write a short email to satraveldesk@iafrica.com For assistance with regards to wedding cars, shuttle service for your guests or any tours of the region, please feel free to email La Rochelle Tours on info@larochelletours.com Golfing Around Stellenbosch Stellenbosch is blessed with some amazing golf courses close to the town centre. Some of the golf courses is the Stellenbosch Golf Club, Kleine Zalze Golf Estate, Devonvale Golf Estate and the Kuilsriver Golf Club. Further afield towards the Franschhoek and Paarl regions you have the Pearl Valley Golf Estate and the Boschenmeer Golf Estate. Stellenbosch Restaurants • The Fishmonger – Fish • Umami – Contemporary • Volkskombuis – SA • 96 Winery Road – Country Cooking • Wijnhuis – SA • Col’Cacchio – Pizza and Pasta • Asara Wine Estate • Bilton Wine Estate • Terroir • Tokara Wine Estate Important Telephone Numbers Tours and Transfers 083 301 6774 info@larochelletours.com Cape Town International Airport 021 937 1200 Ambulance 10177 or 021 883 3444 Police 10111 or 021 809 5003 Hospital (Medi Clinic) 021 883 8571 Pharmacy (After Hours) 082 578 1301 AMEX 021 887 0818