The dawn of a new month with November in Cape Town heralding warm, summer weather. Want to take advantage of those enticing blue skies and longer evenings?
November is a delightful month, due in main to the balmy weather conditions – longer days with sun up around 5.30 am and spectacular sunsets. One of the favourite things people living in Cape Town like to do in the evenings is to enjoy the sunset with a “sundowner”.
© Sivan Millar
If you are lucky enough to be staying in one of the glorious apartments or villas overlooking the beaches at Clifton or Camps Bay, you will definitely want to participate with your favourite tipple sitting on your own deck or veranda.
Or why not pack a picnic and head to the beach? Relaxing in the open air whilst the sky turns into a spectacular pink fireball is amazing!
But, here am I talking about the end of the day when you want to know what’s on in Cape Town during the day!
Well, staying with the theme of “sundowners”, the FNB Whiskey Live Festival is taking place from Wednesday 2nd November until Friday 4th November 2011 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, Foreshore, close to the famous Victoria & Alfred Waterfront.
Billed as the largest, liveliest and most exciting whiskey lifestyle show in the world, the festival showcases over 180 local and international whiskey brands.
South Africa is well known of course, for its wine, but did you know that it produces Gold Medal winning single grain whiskey?
Wellington, Cape Town
Nestled at the foot of picturesque Bainskloof Pass, Wellington, Bain’s Cape Mountain whiskey is lovingly produced to reflect the magnificent peaks, cool, sparkling streams, wooded valleys and wealth of indigenous fynbos which all add to the flavours in the bottle.
Wellington is situated about an hour north of Cape Town and is well worth a visit to explore the pretty valley and its more traditional wine route. The town itself has a wonderfully ironic twist to its name. Many French people settled in Wellington, initially naming it Val du Charron – valley of the wagon-makers.
It became the last outpost for travellers on the road north in the days of the pioneer. However, it wasn’t until 1840 that Sir George Napier renamed the town after England’s greatest soldier, the Duke of Wellington. It stuck!
Besides whiskey, the wine route also has an impressive array of award winning estates. The area particularly produces excellent red wines and, one of my favourites, Hanepoot, a sweet dessert wine that tastes like nectar!
Not to be outdone, brandy, vodka and gin are also lovingly handcrafted at Jorgensen’s Distillery. Definitely not to be missed, as this husband and wife team is passionate about their spirits, creating drinks that transcend the ordinary.
Back in Cape Town we are grabbing our front row seat for the nightly sunset spectacular, and relaxing with our top “sundowner”!
ComeToCapeTown.com can help you choose the best “sundowner” balcony or veranda – luxury accommodation for the perfect Cape Town holiday. We look forward to ensuring your holiday goes without a hitch. Contact us now to find out how.
