PHOTOGRAPHY GETAWAYS

ITINERARY

14h00:   Check in: Arrive to a welcome drink and a light afternoon snack while you settle in at Julu Guest House. Familiarise yourself with the surrounds and your charming host Max, and your guide, David Lazarus, for the duration of your getaway.

15:30:   We begin to explore this charming village with its myriad of attractions. Visit this Artistic Town in the Riebeek Valley and meet the friendly locals: – a visual delight for photographers! Capture the colours and chaos as the locals go about their daily routine. We will start in Fontein street, home to the renowned Kasteelberg Country Inn for almost two decades. This characterful building has been sensitively restored and upgraded, to make the most of its position and architectural heritage. Just next to it is the Bay Leaf and Thyme Deli, which provides the Valley with farm fresh produce and delicatessen items to the discerning foodies. There is an abundance of fine dining experiences in the Valley to choose from, should you need to nibble on something.

This portion of the itinerary will include highlighting those of interesting characters willing to have their photos taken around the town, which will make for great street and portraiture reportage. From here, we will step back in time through the picturesque alleyways and courtyards filled with soft light and great atmosphere. You are now in Short street, a quirky bohemian like place with restaurants, quaint bars, gift and clothing boutiques. Short street is the essence and hub of the Riebeek Valley, offering  unique outlets for your shopping and viewing pleasure. In the spirit of a traditional Arty town, Short street showcases the clothing designers, a leather shop, wine merchants, essential oils, soaps, lotions, a clay artist etc…

Moving on to Main street, where you will be spoilt for choice browsing and shopping at the Wine Kollective, best known for its selection of local export wines. Searching for gifts, crafts, soaps and knick-knacks … there is a shop called Roes (which means Rust), which specialises in vintage and some art deco you might want for your home or garden. Crystal & Twine is another favourite for French-inspired home décor and gifts. Made in Riebeek (MIR) has made its debut, and has become a real hit at the Riebeek Valley Tourism offices. This is an important initiative showcasing handmade products by the talented people of the Riebeek Valley.

You might be tempted to take a break and watch the buzz, whilst sipping local Swartland wine, and eating the most delicious French cuisine at Au Bouchon Rouge Brasserie & Patisserie. The best place to sit and watch the village life go by is on the outside patio, with its cane chairs and white tablecloths, reminiscent of a French pavement café. You might even grab a few candid photographs of the towns people, as they conduct their business.

The art culture is brimming in Arts town, and you can now see it for yourself when visiting the art galleries such as Gallery 7 on Plein (in the same building as RVT Tourism) and RK Contemporary, which is diagonally opposite the Royal Hotel. There are potters, ceramists, painters, quilters, sculptors, metal workers and all sorts of artists in the Riebeek Valley, and with some jovial banter and a glass of wine in tow, might lead to an invite to view their studio spaces.

To exercise a little after your late lunch, we will take a stroll first to the historic Royal Hotel. Their veranda was named the longest veranda south of the Limpopo by the government, when they were added on the list of the 50 most fabulous places to visit in South Africa. Established in 1862, this magnificent hotel is one of the oldest hotels in South Africa, and offers the most beautiful and most luxurious accommodation in all of the Swartland. This is a true mixture of modern meeting the contemporary.

We then move on to the friendly ladies at the Tasting Emporium, situated at Riebeek Cellars, who offer a curated selection of Swartland wines from the Riebeek Cellars Collection range and limited release, as well as their selection of local Riebeek Valley olive products, cheeses, craft beer and more. Here you are afforded the opportunity to choose your own platters. Best of all, you can discover that true Swartland hospitality, while taking food shots in between your snacking.

Across the road is the majestic Riebeek Kasteel NG Church, built in 1913, overlooking the town in its full splendour and natural lighting. From this church’s quaint wooden gates, you will delight in the impressive views across the quiet streets and distant mountains. It’s an idyllic place to snap some Riebeek Kasteel photos.

17h00:  Back on the road, we take a short drive to Eight Feet Village and Meerhof, who arguably boast one of the most stunning settings that any eatery could offer in the whole of Riebeek Kasteel. The views are absolutely spectacular, as the entire valley presents its splendour to you in its truest natural form. The key to great landscape photography, is of course a “good landscape”, but not without the perfect light. A glass of local wine might be the answer to how we capture these breath taking views, that we are so privileged to experience in these parts. This would be the close of our first day, thereafter, you will return to Julu Guest House.

18h00:  Dinner will be served, where we collate our thoughts and share the afternoons adventures. Discuss skill levels and stories, as we assimilate each other’s insights on photography, and what it is you intend to experience and take home with you after your adventures.

Dinner will consist of starters and a main, accompanied by a glass or two of red or white from the valley range. A good bottle is always worth a mention and plays an essential role in sparking good conversation. Lights off early for a fresh and early start to the day.

07h00:  Start your day in the country with “natures call” from the roosters. A full breakfast awaits.

We set off to Riebeek West to Allesvelloren, which is the oldest wine farm in the Riebeek Valley. It’s best known for its reds – including cultivars like shiraz, touriga nacional and tinta barocca – and of course for its famous port. We will concentrate mainly on landscape and composition across the valley to the faraway mountains, and walk through their enchanted magic forest which make for great photography.

We visit the striking double volume Riebeek Valley Garden Centre, whose main structure is dominated by a young baobab tree, blanketed with a colourfully crocheted “flowered coat” snuggled around its base. The high ceilings are constructed from recycled Coke fridge glass doors. Inside the Garden Centre is the Krem a Tart Coffee Shop and Gallery, that prides itself in their homemade pastries,  and coffee.

We will turn back in the direction of Riebeek Kasteel, where we join the R46 which takes us through Hermon to the R44. Life would not be quite whole if we didn’t make a stop at the Hermon Hotel. Perhaps it’s too early to have a quick beer, but no one is judging you on this tour to get your creative juices going… The Hotel was built in 1849 and the liquor store and bar is the social hub of town, where lifelong friendships have withstood the test of time. The bar area, lush gardens, and the people around the area make for fantastic photographic opportunities.

We head in the direction of Wellington, a unique experience and a somewhat old-school Cape Winelands experience, Wellington is a “dorpie” at the foot of the Groenfontein mountain range and about an hour’s drive from Cape Town.

On route, we make a quick stop at a most surreal Coffee stop. As they say, Morale Coffee To Go is situated “tussen niks en nerens” on the R44 between Hermon and Wellington. Giant stacks of hay mark the spot of Morale Coffee To Go, where you can get everything from coffee to frozen drinks, breakfast buns and boerie rolls.

The town of Wellington was founded in 1840 and named after the Duke of Wellington. There is a lot of wonderful Cape Dutch style homesteads to explore. And of course the wine experience! Wellington Wines are very well respected. They have 15 wine makers in the region, who produce much for the country’s vine cuttings. Two of the more well-known wine farms include “Diemersfontein”, and  Bosman Wines.  All making up the longest wine route in the world, better known as The Route 62.

You will have the chance to capture idyllic landscapes, colours and expression only found in this part of the world, dependent on the time of year. This is every photographers dream. Canola fields, abundant bird life, vegetation and colours, historical watchtowers and old vineyards which remain from the time of the Boer war.

We will stop at the An Anglo – Boer War block house in Wellington. This blockhouse used to guard the railway bridge just outside Wellington, on the road to Wolseley. This is the most southerly relic of the Anglo Boer war. It was one of a number of fortified block houses and bridges, built by the British to protect the railway line from Boer commandos.

To keep our energy in check, we can grab a few “pick me ups”, and make a quick stop at the Safari factory shop.

Once away from the centre of town and Wellington’s farming industria, the valley rises and falls, populated by rows of grapevines and pristine green hills that roll out to reveal a stunning landscape all the way to the foot of the mountains. A drive up the Bains Kloof Pass provides the most spectacular vantage point. We will take the Groenfontein road and view the scenic landscape sights.

Our very last stop at the end of Bovlei road, will be the Welvanpas Family Vineyards which is a historic farm nestled between the beautiful Hawekwa and Groenberg mountain ranges. This farm has the most beautiful hiking trails and gardens.

Next stop is Valdu Charron. Interestingly Valdu Charron is the original name for Wellington, and is also a guest house up the hill behind the local school, owned by a Johannesburg property developer Stewart Entwhistle. Choose between two great eateries situated on the Val du Charron Estate. For the meat eaters, the Grillroom is the obvious choice. Craving Pizza and Pasta, pop in at their Pizzeria, Pizza Vista. Of course, while sipping on a chilled glass of vino.

This dining place makes for one “helluva spot” for capturing true beauty. Here we can take some spectacular shots of Wellington valley and the surrounding mountain ranges.

Making our way back in the direction of Wellington, we will discover the B’spoke Café, situated on the corner of Addy and Ou Hexberg Road, boasting their home made carrot cake is the best you have ever tasted! You can put them to the test, and forfeit dessert at Valdu Charron. There is also an interesting antique shop next door that is definitely worth a browse.

Before arriving at our last stop, we can’t resist the “lekker biltong and droëwors” from Vleismeesters. Store it away in the cooler box for a midnight snack or craving.

Our last sight in Wellington is The Old Tannery on the way back to Julu Guest House. The Old Tannery is a heritage property in Wellington, and has become a creative hub for the Wellington community, office users, tourists and day visitors. Wellington’s “Old Tannery” dates to 1871, and is one of the oldest factories in South Africa.

18h00:   Dinner will consist of starters and a main accompanied by a glass or two of red or white from the valley. Lights off early for a fresh and early start to the day.

07h00:   We start the day once more with a full breakfast before venturing out.

08h00:   We head off to Goedgedaght off the R46 near Riebeek Kasteel, an olive farm with a difference. At its heart is a community development trust devoted to tackling climate change and poverty among rural youngsters. Goedgedaght is a picturesque farm with a variety of seasonal bird life, encompassing trail walks and dams on the various mountain trails. Please note that there will be a small donation of R10.00 as this is an NGO. This will be followed by “a meet and greet” with the Lamas, sheep, ostriches and the rest of the family at Nuweplaas, a family owned restaurant and function venue with the most delicious home-made “farm fresh” treats.

10h00:   We will make our way to Gouda Wind Farm, one of the largest wind-farms in South Africa. We will photograph the 46 magnificent turbines on-route to Tulbagh. Before entering Tulbagh, we visit a cactus farm on a man-made dam belonging to the Tulbagh Nursery, a scenic and incredible place to capture some photographs. Tulbagh Nursery was founded in 1990 on the farm Nooitgedacht and has since spread over 22ha.

Only a short drive away, we will enter the well-known town of Tulbagh. The town is situated at the northern end of the beautiful Tulbagh valley, which is almost completely surrounded by mountain ranges – the Obiqua mountains to the west, the towering Winterhoek on the northern end, and the Witzenberg on the eastern side. The Great Winterhoek mountains tower 2077m above sea level and are picturesquely snow-capped in winter making for exquisite photography.

We start in the old Church Street, an historic street and quite possibly one of the prettiest. The town itself is around 300 years old. In 1969 an Earthquake destroyed and damaged most the old buildings which has since been restored. Today Tulbagh’s Church Street offers one of the largest Cape-Dutch, Edwardian and Victorian provincial heritage sites in one street in South Africa. This will be the start of our “photographic playground” before we lose ourselves in this beautiful town.

11h00:  Saronsberg is our next stop. A contemporary building with a beautifully finished tasting room. Contemporary finishes include views into both the hi-tech fermentation cellar and the maturation cellar whilst being surrounded by Saronsberg’s contemporary art collection and manicured gardens – It is a must see! Winemaker Dewaldt Heyns’ passion and consistency has led him to being nominated and accepted as member of the prestigious Cape Winemakers Guild in 2008.

13:30:  Lunching will be at The Tulbagh Hotel, conveniently located in the centre of town. Here we will compare and discuss notes, as well as share images captured from the day.

After the lunch, we will take a stroll around town capturing some of the characters willing to have their photos taken, making for great street and portraiture experience to be had.

15:00: We take the fork on the left as we leave the town centre to discover a “Scottish type” meadow.

Thereafter, we stop off at 119, a running farm and abandoned barn house with the most amazing vast vistas looking back towards the town of Tulbagh.

16:00:  We stop at Reflections, a guest farm hidden off the road in the Tulbagh valley. This is a 70 hectare farm  with a dam and views of the Saronsberg mountain range and finally we visit The Tulbagh Horse Trails.

17:00:  After building a thirst, we keep the best till last as we return to Riebeek Kasteel to enjoy the Royal Hotel’s renowned gin bar, whilst seated on their never ending famous veranda and toast our time together. The Royal’s signature drink is undoubtedly their gin and tonics. Thereafter, we will make our way back to Julu Guest House for our “last supper” of the journey.

Dinner will consist of starters and a main, accompanied by a glass or two from the valley, or *a braai”, where we will share moments we captured along the way and exchange numbers, social sites for future ventures and engagements.

09h00:  We end this amazing experience with another outstanding full breakfast, ready for checkout by 10.30am. During this time, I will spend time with each person answering any photography questions which pertain to the trip that will open doors to many more such excursions.