The De Hoop Nature Reserve on the scenic Garden Route is a perfect destination for weekend getaways.
A comfortable three hours’ drive from Cape Town, De Hoop Collection, a Cape Country Routes (CCR) hallmark property, with accommodation ranging from affordable self-catering chalets to upmarket fully catered lodges, is an ideal stop-over en route from the Cape Winelands to Plettenberg Bay.
Adding to the perfection is De Hoop Collection’s annual and eagerly awaited Wine Whales and Music Weekend from 26 July to 28 July 2019 – a splendid three-day soirée of wine, whales and music and more!
From wine tastings, high tea, gourmet dinners, chanteuse Cat Simoni, Whale Time Serenade with world-class musicians Peta Ann Holdcroft, Malané Hofmeyr-Burger, Irina Tsoniff, Ivo Ivanov and Vladimir Ivanov, and of course Whale watching. De Hoop is world-renowned as one of the best whale-watching spots; its stretch of the coastline is one of the world’s most important nursery areas for Southern Right whales. Plus Eco Boat cruises, guided walks, a chocolate-making workshop with chocolatier Richard von Geusau, and a Whale presentation by De Hoop Collection’s very own knowledgeable expert guides, the weekend is sure to delight!
The weekend kicks off on Friday, 26 July with an afternoon Eco Boat cruise on the Vlei with delicious canapés and drinks; an early evening Wine Tasting with Creation Wines at The Shed, followed by a gourmet Dinner with suggested wine pairing by Creation Wines and the “From West End to Broadway” Musical with Cat Simoni.
Saturday, 27 July starts with an early morning guided Bird Walk along the Vlei followed by breakfast; a chocolate-making workshop at 10 am; a morning Eco Boat cruise with delicious tea, coffee and pastries; a Wine Tasting where you can enjoy a selection of wines from the local wineries (11 am to 3 pm); then High Tea in the elegant Cloete Room; the Whale presentation also in the Cloete Room, Dinner in The Shed with the Whale Time Serenade for strings and flute featuring Irina Tsoniff and Ivo Ivanov on violin, Vladimir Ivanov on viola, Peta Ann Holdcroft on cello and Malané Hofmeyr-Burger on flute.
And on Sunday, 28 July breakfast, then onto Koppie Alleen for a guided Marine Walk and watching the whales with the De Hoop guides.
Cost: from R1 152 per person per night sharing in a Rondawel to R2 611 per person per night sharing in a Suite (minimum two night stay on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis). Rate includes wine-tastings, breakfasts (Saturday & Sunday), Dinner (Friday & Saturday), High Tea, Music, and Whale presentation. Drinks and guided activities excluded. Cost: Eco-Boat cruises – R350 per person; guided Bird Walk – R150 per person; Chocolate-making workshop – R90 per person. Children 12 and under, half price.
Booking is essential for this calendar favourite.
Phone 021-422 4522 or email res@dehoopcollection.co.za
De Hoop social media handles: Twitter/Instagram:@dehoopreserve/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeHoopCollection
De Hoop Collection is a member of Cape Country Routes.
Twitter: @CapeCountryR /Instagram: capecountryroutes /
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeCountryRoutes/
