It’s time to gear down as we head towards the latter half of the year. So why not relax a little and enjoy what the Western Cape has in store for August?

The Hermanus Times Calf Festival/Kalfiefees celebrates the arrival of the Southern Right Whales at this globally-renowned fishing town. Taking place across the town from 05 to 09 August 2010, promises a wide range of productions and festivities, all focused on family fun! The festival also celebrates Women’s Day, with numerous ceremonies and a fashion show. Now in it’s tenth year, the Calf Festival is a celebration of music, art and drama.

The Hermanus Wine and Food Fair also takes place in early August, from 06 to 08 August 2010. Nominated as one of the best wine shows in South Africa, the Wine and Food Fair will celebrate the fruits of the labours from almost 50 wine producers. More than 400 wines will be available to sample and purchase. With daily tickets costing just R95, or a weekend pass costing you just R150 for all three days, be sure to drop in and explore all the delights on offer!

The Swellendam Canola Karnaval will dominate Swellendam from 06 to 08 August 2010. With a jam-packed programme that covers sporting, a car show and an abundance of entertainment, the carnival celebrates the time of year when the canola fields bloom and cover the hills with patches of yellow flowers. An arts and crafts market and tours to the canola factory are included in the festivities.

Roberston Wine Valley comes alive from 06 to 09 August 2010, with the advent of the Robertson Slow festival. At Robertson Slow, you can sample honest, old-fashioned, rural hospitality synonymous with the Robertson Wine Valley’s winemaking community. Relish the slow food and wine that will excite your senses and revel in the relaxed pace that will replenish your soul. The third annual food market will see local chefs bringing their finest from the kitchen to the fore. The Robertson Wine Valley is looking to attract visitors yearning to experience the charm of country life in intimate settings characterised by each farm’s unique personal touch. While enjoying time-honoured activities, visitors will be afforded the opportunity to interact with winemakers and winefarmers, in an informal ambience, getting to know them and their respective families.

A must-do in every socialite’s diary, Cape Town Fashion Week bursts on to the scene from 11 to 14 August 2010. Renowned as Africa’s largest gathering of fashion talent, Cape Town Fashion Week provides an international platform for designers across Sub-Saharan Africa. With the first day of the programme focusing on young designers, the second day boasts an abundance of established mens’ and womens’ wear designers, and the third day dazzles visitors with stylish day and evening wear. Since its launch in 2003, the event has grown into one of the premier “new world” fashion weeks, attracting major fashion magazines and trade professionals, and providing an international platform for both established and up-and-coming designers from across the continent. Cape Town Fashion Week is open to the public and features special seminars and introductory courses for those interested in a career within the industry. Cape Town Fashion Week takes over the Cape Town International Convention Centre very soon so, don’t miss out on this extravaganza of elegance!