By Elhaam Ajam
June 10th, 2008
What could be better than planning your winter break in the South Africa's gourmet capital, Franschhoek? Coinciding your trip with the celebration of the town's French Huguenot heritage.
Prepare your taste buds for a wonderful feast of food, wine and entertainment. The annual festival takes place on the weekend of 12 to 13 July 2008.
What’s the correlation between Franschhoek and the Bastille you may ask? Well beside it being SA's French corner, its Huguenot heritage makes the commemoration of the 1790 Fete de la Federation a must.
This was held on the first anniversary of the storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789. It’s therefore a symbol of the uprising of the modern French nation. History lesson done, let's get to the fun details.
It’s the ideal time to take advantage of the special Bastille packages offered by hotels and guest houses. Many of these fine establishments usually throw in a complimentary bottle of Franschhoek wine too.
The order of the day is heavenly cuisine and fine wines. Chefs and winemakers will showcase Franschhoek’s crème de la crème and distinctive menus are being orchestrated by the town's award-winning restaurants.
The Bastille Food and Wine Marquee is usually where all the activity and fervor is. You’ll see famous wineries and esteemed chefs’ display their talents at these colourful and deliciously-decked stalls. Don’t forget to sample the hand-made cheeses, chocolates and salmon trout from the valley, rounding it all off with a Franschhoek wine of course.
Apart from a culinary adventure, drop by the galleries, boutiques, crafts shops and food emporiums. Or immerse yourself fully in the French Film Festival at Le Quartier’s Screening Room.
There’s also a chefs and waiters race, street soccer, a barrel-rolling contest and fly-fishing competitions.
You can jive to the tunes of musicians while attending to your shopping needs at various stalls. Your kids will be well cared for too with tons of children’s activities. So absorb the wine, food and atmosphere!
Get a winter getaway without dull moments by snatching up these special offers!
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