Spier Hotel

... Island before heading back on to the ferry. We discussed the plans for tomorrow again and Tim and Sophie wanted to visit Stellanbosch and Spier as well.  They had access to a car but we could only seat 5 in total.  Rose was still deciding so we ...

... gone sandboarding, at Spier Winery for lunch. When we arrived at Spier we hooke up with the kids and went to Eight, the restaurant at Spier. Eight is an organic restaurant and I have to tell you it was the best meal of the entire Cape Town trip. All of ...

... which is a cheetah with a more distinctive stripier coat due to a genetic difference like people with blue or brown eyes. Unfortunately the coat is much prized so they are even rarer than an "ordinary" cheetah. Spier was very well laid out and relaxing ...

... to deal with customers. That’s two thumbs up for my first two properties. I head out of Stellenbosch and on to Spier vineyard and hotel. It is huge! So much on this site – vineyard, hotel, 5 restaurants, concert area, conference centre for ...

...  afternoon tour.  Our next tour started at 1 p.m. and it was just us and the driver, Paul.  He took us to Spier Outreach that was a rehabilitation site for birds of prey and cheetahs.  First, we went to see the birds, and we ...

... amazing. I started with Duck & Lobster ( the best!!), then springbok & a lemon brulee.     Next, on to Spier Wine Estate to view the cheetahs & pat one if you dare!!! I dared as they looked like VERY big cuddly pussy cats ...

... Cape Town Fish Market, which was very good (kingklip again).  After dinner, we walked over to the bar at the Cape Grace hotel, which was interesting - it was packed with local scenesters, who were dancing their hearts out to tunes spun by a DJ...I can't ...

... open at 9AM and close at 4PM as the South Africans start wine tasting in the morning and Americans typically start in the afternoon. Spier was one of the more renowned wineries and we could see why after visiting the estate. The estate was huge. The ...

... toch samen aan op de Machu Picchu (heb bus naar MP meegepakt....vond ik helemaal niet erg, want had echt spierpijn in elke spier van mijn lichaam...;-)) Maar wat een bijzondere plek en ervaring was dat!! Eerst zag je in de mist de eerste ruines opduiken ...

... , a wine estate 10 minutes from Stellenbosch. Being in the winelands, I had to try a few local products. Besides which, Spier has a raptor sanctuary (that's birds, Jurassic Park fans) and a cheetah conservation project. I didn't bother petting the ...

... I spoke with the guide about studying abroad in Cape Town.  We were all given a free bottle of wine, I chose a white wine from Spier.  I usually like red wine but this wine was tasty. We caught the train and I read and fell asleep haha, again-I ...

... ; The trainer makes us stay behind him at all times as the cheetahs start to circle us (good thing I signed that waiver so Spier wasn't responsible if I got mauled).  The rain finally subsided and the cheetahs lied down long enough for us to pet them ...

... to see how we are received upon our return. With contempt? With contrition? Stay tuned for the answer! Anyhow, after settling into the hotel, we had a casual dinner of burgers at their lobby lounge/bar, as it was after 10pm by that point, and the ...

... speeltuintje, hangmatten en schommelstoelen, lekker eten, rust rust rust en als kers op de taart: massages!  Ze hebben mijn spier wel niet kunnen deblokkeren maar een uur complete relaxedheid op een bedje in de zon met uitzicht op de groene bergen, ...

... Heerlijk! Een paar uur geslapen en al meteen aan de wijn. De dag begon echter met het rustig drinken van een kop koffie in het hotel van Sjaak en Rene. Niet snel hierna zaten we in de auto op weg naar Spier Wine Estate. Spier Wine Estate is ongeveer ons ...

... Cheetah Outreach.  Our plan was to do an interaction with the cheetahs, but unfortunately there was a huge concert happening at the Spier convention centre and had the cheetahs a little on edge.  (Tracey: We walked around the pens and could see ...

... the best qualities of the robust Cinsault with Pinot Noir, a grape that makes great wine but can be difficult to grow. Our hotel, the Lanzerac, is reputed to make the best Pinotage so we promise ourselves a glass or two when we get back.   ...

... were so excited to get to the cheetahs that Marilee said we'd done the fastest wine tasting she'd ever seen!)  Spier runs a cheetah outreach center dedicated to raising "cheetah ambassadors" to educate the public about these beautiful animals.  As part ...

... . Paul was in touch with Ian, so we knew when he would be landing in Cape Town. About 1pm, he arrived at the hotel – almost didn’t recognize him after 15 years! We went out for lunch along the waterfront, sitting al fresco at an Italian ...