Also known as 'Eikestad' (Town of Oaks), Stellenbosch stands out as the oldest town in South Africa immediately after Cape Town, a 45 minute drive away. Founded in 1679 by governor Simon van der Stel, the Stellenbosch wine Route is South Africa's oldest and perhaps the most acclaimed. Having been set up in 1971, today it offers 106 cellars in the outstanding Jonkershoek valley.

Modern-day Stellenbosch is a buzzing place populated by students, academics, business people and their familys. You should not overlook Dorp Street, a national monument with certainly one of the longest rows of historically maintained structures - which includes Georgian, Cape Dutch and Victoria architecture - in South Africa.

With many open-air cafes, dining establishments, art galleries, shops, hotels and guest houses - many housed in these historic structures - it's the ideal base for a winelands experience. Then there is the wine route , with about 130 wineries and 5 sub-routes, renowned for their wine production - especially Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinotage and Chenin Blanc. The 5 sub-routes are Bottelary Hills, Greater Simonsberg, Helderberg, Stellenbosch Berg and Stellenbosch Hills.

Half and full day wine tours are very popular and may be booked at the tourism office. Otherwise, you are more than welcome to drive yourself to any of the wine estates even though that would mean the driver missing out on testing any of the wine.

You will find a wide range of hotels to choose from from camp sites, youth hostels, B&Bs right up to luxurious hotels. The requirements of each and every type of visitor are catered for which is excellent for the independent visitor to use as a starting point to check out the numerous sight-seeing opportunities of the Western Cape.

The best way to orientate your self is to join one of the normal walking excursions that set out from from the tourism office at 11am and 3pm each day. Otherwise, it is possible to check out alone and footmaps can be obtained. As Stellenbosch lies in a valley, there's also backpacking routes outside of the town which make it easy for you to soak up some of the marvelous landscapes and nature.

The Cape Winelands are one of the most well loved places for holiday makers in the Western Cape.

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