Paternoster, meaning Our Father, is thought to have been given its name by a group of shipwrecked sailors in thanks for the sparing of their lives. Although Paternoster is still closely associated with fishing and the sea it has now also become a sought after destination for overseas travellers to South Africa. A quiet village, Paternoster is still very much a developing town but steeped in history and tradition.

To celebrate the heritage of this gorgeous town, the third annual Paternoster Heritage Festival will take place on 24 September 2010. Starting at 9am and continuing until late afternoon, this festival will be held in and around the fishmarket.

The Paternoster Heritage Festival is more than just a celebration. It is a celebration for a good cause. The volunteer committee is aiming to raise enough money to enable the Grade Seven learners of St Augustine Primary School to attend educational trips and excursions.

A variety of interesting and sometimes off the wall competitions will be held, including skattejag, Paternoster PopStars and, of course, with great prizes to be won. With education also being an important element of the Festival, the NSRI and SANCOB will be in attendance and the SAPS will hold a live demonstration of how their trained dogs perform their duties.

Delicious food and arts and crafts will be on sale, and child-friendly activities include beach games and horse riding.

Head to Paternoster Beach and celebrate the history of this beautiful town!

For more information on the Paternoster Heritage Festival, call the Paternoster Tourism office on 022 752 2323 or email: info@paternoster.info .

Bastille Day is a French national holiday, celebrated on 14 July every year. It commemorates the 1790 Fete de la Federation, held on the first anniversary of the storming of the Bastille. The storming of the Bastille is seens as a symbol of the uprising of the modern French nation. Franschhoek celebrates it’s French Huguenot heritage on this day, with a full festival weekend.

The Huguenots settled in the valley during the 1600s and bought along many of their traditions, including wine making.

Franschhoek will once again celebrate its centuries-old French Huguenot heritage with a wonderful feast of food, wine and entertainment at its annual Bastille Festival on the weekend of 17 and 18 July 2010. With lots to see, do and enjoy for the whole family, make a memorable weekend of your visit and take advantage of the special Bastille packages offered by a variety of hotels and guest houses. The theme of heavenly cuisine and fine wines is the order of the day and threaded throughout the Festival.

Enjoy this gastronomic affair in style, as chefs and winemakers showcase Franschhoek’s crème de la crème. Award-winning restaurants are composing special menus exclusive to Bastille. The Bastille Food and Wine Marquee is the focal point, drawing people to the hub of activity, as wineries and renowned chefs showcase their talents at vibrant stalls, offering delicious fare.

Culinary delights, however, are not all this annual celebration has to offer. Frequent all the galleries, boutiques and crafts shops draped in French apparel. Amble along the charming aisles and weave in and out of the alcoves, delighting your senses.

Nestled in the beautiful Cape Winelands, lies the magnificent Franschhoek Valley. The food and wine heartland of South Africa, Franschhoek is internationally renowned for its culinary and wine delights. Coupled with gorgeous scenery and warm hospitality, Franschhoek is the pride of the Western Cape region. Franschhoek is home to a wonderful array of guest accommodation, from guest houses to self-catering cottages and, of course, wine farms.  Steeped in history and populated by friendly people, Franschhoek makes for the perfect getaway.

The Knysna Oyster Festival takes over this jewel of the Garden Route from 02 to 11 July 2010.  One of South Africa’s most popular festivals, the Knysna Oyster Festival holds huge appeal for sports lovers, families and avid partygoers.

The 2010 festival, the 27th annual iteration, boasts a jam-packed programme of sport, entertainment and, of course, oysters!  More than one hundred exciting events ranging from cycling, running and adventure races, to wine tastings and gala evenings, are expected to draw nearly seventy thousand visitors.

The festival’s two main sporting events, the Pick ‘n Pay Cape Times Knysna Forest Marathon and the Pick ‘n Pay Weekend Argus Rotary Knysna Cycle Tour, will give participants the unique opportunity to run and cycle through the ancient indigenous forests of Knysna and experience the scenic beauty of the area. A full programme  of adventure and soft sports for the whole family includes paddling, golf, bowls and soccer.

The annual oyster-shucking competition, oyster-eating competition and the Pick ‘n Pay Oyster and Wine Mardi Gras are the mainstays of this festival, and venues across the town are participating in and hosting Oyster Festival events. Venues included as hosts for the festival include the Knysna Art Gallery, Woodmill Lane Leisure Shopping, Knysna Golf Club and a wide variety of restaurants, schools and pubs.

The South African Navy will, once again, be making a grand entrance through the Knysna Heads in their huge minesweepers. The Navy’s internationally acclaimed band will entertain festival-goers during the street parade and live concert at the Waterfront.

The Pick ‘n Pay Young  Oyster Festival takes care of the kids and boasts youth theatre, puppet shows, creative art workshop and cooking programmes. The Knysna Sport School Fair lets children and youth try their hand at a variety of sports, free of charge.

Last year’s Knysna Oyster Festival raised over a million Rand for the designated charity, and 2010 should be no different.  In an effort to include all local communities in the festival, Knysna Tourism’s Local Loeries project offers sustainable opportunities for previously disadvantaged communities to get involved in the festival and reap the benefits for many years afterwards. The programme identifies individuals to be mentored in four areas: food and catering, entertainment, sports development and services. Mentors assist candidates to set up businesses that can provide services to the festival. Mentoring continues for as long as necessary and entrepreneurs are offered the chance to get involved in the town’s other festivals. The project also provides for the scrapping of entry fees for festival sport events for those who can’t afford them, and competitors with potential are identified by local clubs and NGOs. Local sports clubs provide mentors and the necessary equipment whilst waiving club fees to assist in their development. A similar project exists for children who are spotted as having sporting potential at the Knysna Sport School Sports Fair.

Explore the town of Knysna and join in all the fun that the Knysna Oyster Festival has to offer!

Now taking place for the 7th year, the Wacky Wine Weekend will take place in Robertson from 03 to 06 June 2010.

Robertson Wine Valley’s biggest annual wine festival, the Wacky Wine Weekend brings you fantastic offers at fantastic value. With the focus of the festival still placed on the responsible service of alcohol, Wacky Wine Weekend is committed to visitors having a good time, responsibly. The Zero Tolerance Policy, Designated Drivers Programme and Buddy Bus Service have been put together to ensure that your celebrations are safe.

With nearly fifty participating wineries showcasing their wines, visitors can expect even more festivity and celebration! An abundance of key attractions await, with a mix of old favourites and new delights.

The Wacky Wine Weekend has been extended from the conventional weekend experience to include four festival days, with each day boasting its unique signature wine theme, to cater for all palates.

Whether you are a fun-seeker, novice or a wine connoisseur, there is something for everyone with: ‘Seriously Wine Thursday’, ‘Wine Up Friday’, ‘Full On Wacky Saturday’ or ‘Wine Down Sunday’. ‘Seriously Wine Thursday’ promises to inspire wine connoisseurs with a range of tailor-made activities, which include master wine-tastings, exquisite wine- and food-pairings, educational wine presentations and private tastings with the Valley’s most esteemed winemakers.

The Wacky Wine Weekend boasts the usual line-up of fun-filled activities and include ‘meet-the-winemaker’ tastings, vineyard tractor trips, river cruises, sunset game drives, cheese and olive tastings, a farmers’ market, street theatre, live music, a fireworks display, the half-marathon and mountain bike challenge. New attractions comprise of a jewellery market, brandy tours and tastings, a sushi & wok bar and a simulated rodeo bull.

The Valley will also be presenting a foodie festival, with visitors spoilt for choice. Oysters, perlemoen, sushi, riverside picnics, Italian cuisine and potjiekos are just some of the gourmet delights on offer. The kids are also well-catered for with fishing, farmyard tours, feeding farm animals, pony rides, paint-ball, magicians and face-painting activities.

All visitors need to purchase a passport (R70) at their first port of call. This includes a stylish tasting glass, WWW goodie bag, festival programme and a bottle of water. Designated Drivers need register at the cost of R70. This will include a booklet of coupons for free coffee and breakfast, and can be redeemed over the course of the Wacky Wine Weekend. The passport entitles you to free tasting (25ml-samples) of our wines for the duration of the festival. However, it is not a ticket to unlimited drinking and should you like more of a particular wine, you’re welcome to either buy a glass, or share a bottle amongst friends.

For more information, visit the Wacky Wine Weekend website here or call 023-6263167.

Go revelling in Roberston and enjoy the Wacky Wine Weekend!

The Cederberg Arts Festival will be hosted in Clanwilliam, from 30 April to 02 May 2010. People from all over the region and further afield come to enjoy the special atmosphere that the Festival brings to Clanwilliam.

The official opening of the festival is one of the special events with local as well as nation-wide known artists performing. A Play Festival is also held for Secondary learners. During the festival, exposure is given to all community members, both young and old, to show off their talents. Lots of shows, book exhibitions, lectures and workshops are held in the different venues. There also is a musical tent where the different rockgroups entertain all.

The Cederberg Arts Festival was originally initiated in 1997 as Leipoldtfees, named after C. Louis Leipoldt, a doctor, writer and poet who grew up in Clanwilliam. This multi-talented literary figure has become an icon of the Afrikaans culture. The festival was originally a celebration of his literary work, recipes and the general culture in which he grew up.  The festival has expanded under the influence of another Clanwilliam native, the late Tolla van der Merwe. Tolla, a renowned storyteller in his last of life of the patron of a story-telling programmes, decided to launch an annual programme to identify, develop and showcase young talent.

Clanwilliam is one of the ten oldest towns in South Africa and historical walks through the town centre include seven national monuments. Pertinent to the town’s history is the Clanwilliam cedar, after which the Cederberg Mountain range is named. This magnificent tree, with its durable wood and particular fragrance, is now on the brink of extinction due largely to global warming and the increase in the frequency of fires in the area – few saplings every reach seed-bearing maturity. An initiative to restore the cedar is active in the Cederberg Wilderness Area, recently proclaimed a World Heritage Site within the Cape floristic Region.

Clanwilliam Lodge

Why not cosy up in Clanwilliam at the Clanwilliam Lodge whilst enjoying the Cederberg Arts Festival?

Ensconced in the magical Oliphant’s River Valley, the recently unveiled Clanwilliam Lodge is a colloquial gem emerging off the beaten track, oasis-like in its semi-arid habitat. Only a two hours drive from Cape Town, the lodge offers 32 luxury air-conditioned rooms, a poolside restaurant, a treatment room and delicious cuisine.

Clanwilliam Lodge

Visitors should prepare to enjoy balmy summer days lounging on Bedouin daybeds at the pool and hot windless nights in pure understated luxury at Clanwilliam Lodge – where half measures are only available on request from the bar. All rooms are luxuriously air-conditioned and have an en-suite bathroom. Also a charming conference venue, Clanwilliam Lodge can cater for up to thirty delegates. An on-site beauty salon means you can spoil yourself whilst cosied up in Clanwilliam.

Many visitors choose to visit the Western Cape during ‘off-season’ – spring in September and autumn in April. Days are a pleasant temperature, cooling towards evening, but often more enjoyable for visitors. In Spring, the famous West Coast flowers put on a dazzling display of colour and whale watching is at its best. In autumn, the colours of the many vineyards in the Constantia Valley are a beautiful sight.

Constantia is a green, leafy suburb of Cape Town, dotted with stately homesteads and oak-lined streets. Constantia’s suburban bliss includes a smattering of country lanes, horses and a number of green belts for walking the dog or stretching your legs.

Many parts of Constantia lie close to the original vineyards that make up one of the Cape’s oldest wine routes. It includes the cellars of Groot Constantia, Simon van der Stell’s original farm, Klein Constantia, Buitenverwachting, Uitsig and Steenberg.

Just twenty minutes away from Cape Town, Constantia is also fabulously close to the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and False Bay’s gorgeous beaches.

The Constantia

The Constantia, in Constantia East, is a five-star graded, private and secure property. Just a minute’s drive from Constantia Mall, The Constantia boasts a luxury swimming pool and surrounding tanning deck. The seven luxurious and stylishly appointed suites offer spacious accommodation and extraordinary comfort. The suites all offer air-conditioning, under-floor heating, heated towel rails, satellite TV and private safes.

Villa Steenhuis

Villa Steenhuis, in Constantia West is a stunning, self-catering villa, which provides luxury accommodation for up to twelve guests. Villa Steenhuis caters particularly for the very discerning traveller, and focuses on providing elegant and comfortable accommodation. The peaceful country atmosphere of this splendid region is balanced with the grand elegance and old-world charm of the mansion. Situated in the heartland of the ‘Constantia Valley Wine Route’, where vines were first planted in 1685, Steenhuis Estate is ideal to explore the many fascinating offerings of the Cape. The Colonial Cape Dutch styled residence is an entertainer’s dream and is fully equipped with all the modern conveniences and serviced with daily housekeeping. The home also provides state of the art security systems, a garden cottage, swimming pool, tennis court, Koi pond and four acres of manicured garden.

Enjoy a crisp and colourful Autumn in Constantia.

The Hermanus Sea Rescue Music Festival is a one day festival, to be held at the Hermanus New Harbour on 24 April 2010. In aid of the NSRI of Hermanus, this festival will keep you entertained by artists including Emo Adams, Theuns Jordaan, Sarah Theron, Cheree and others while your bellies will be filled with food an drink from various stalls. Tickets are R120 for adults and R60 for children under 12. Tickets are available from the NSRI stall at Market Square or on www.nrsi17.co.za Be sure to join in the fun and support an excellent cause!  All funds raised will go towards the local National Sea Rescue Institute – Station 17.

Hermanus, famous for its fresh air, friendly locals and whale-watching opportunities, is situated on the South Coast only 120km from Cape Town. Originally a fishing village, Hermanus now has a wide variety of activities to offer, ranging from quiet, relaxed days on beaches or benches to hikes and sporting activities. Hermanus has become a popular hide-away for city dwellers seeking a weekend break.

Why not make a weekend of it, and enjoy the Hermanus Sea Rescue Music Festival and explore Hermanus?

Marine Drive 108

Marine Drive 108, in Sandbaai is a beautiful property situated right on the seafront. With six en-suite bedrooms, five in the house and a self-contained flatlet, this self catering villa can accommodate up to twelve people. Relax in the large upstairs, open-plan living area, with phenomenal views over Walker Bay. This living area opens up with stack-away doors to a wrap around deck with built-in seating. Enjoy exceptional attention to detail in this stylishly appointed home.

Sunset Beach

Sunset Beach is situated on the secure, quiet and private estate of Sandown Bay. A double storey holiday home with uninterrupted views from both upper and lower rooms, all the bedrooms have full size glass doors opening onto a balcony. Accommodating up to eight people, the main level of the house features an en-suite main bedroom, with king-sized bed and jacuzzi-sized bath. The lowel level offers two bedrooms, with queen-sized beds and one bedroom with two single beds, and an outside shower.

Head out to Hermanus, support a good cause and relax.

Easter is a special time for families and of course, children. The Easter Bunny comes a-visiting, parents look forward to a little break after a manic start to the year and all of us can’t wait to take a breather before tackling the rest of the year.

A number of CapeStay establishments have jumped to the rescue, and are running a number of special offers, focused on giving you a special Easter and Late Summer getaway.

Aloe Cottage in Fish Hoek is splashing out with an Easter Special of just R450 per night for the cottage, with a minimum of 2 nights stay. Book now for your space in this quaint, self-catering cottage, which is ideal for a couple’s romantic getaway. Located just ten minutes away from beautiful beaches and boasting elegant sea and mountain views, Aloe Cottage is a truly tranquil destination.

Ehrenhurst Cottage, in Noordhoek, is beautifully appointed, light and breezy cottage, with an en-suite bedroom, open-plan lounge and fully-stocked, self-catering kitchen. A fully enclosed pool and spacious patio, make this a perfect little retreat for a couple looking to get away for a little quiet and romance. The perfect place to simply relax, Ehrenhurst Cottage is also close to all of the five Noordhoek beaches. Enjoy breathtaking sunsets overlooking the Atlantic as the sun slowly sinks below the horizon as well as the beautiful starry nights in a clear sky. The Cottage is running a spectacular Late Summer Special, at just R300 per night. Book now and spoil yourself with a little time away from it all!

A sunset view from Ehrenhurst Cottage

AquaView Beach House, located in the quaint and sought-after haven of Kommetjie, is a  triple-storey, self catering guest house with breathtaking views of Longbeach, which comfortably accommodates 8 guests. Awake to the soothing sounds of waves breaking just outside your window, and wander down to the beach with a glass of wine in hand. Perfect for a family getaway, or a group of friends, AquaView Beach House’s Late Summer Special means that you can book your place in paradise for just R5250 for 5 nights, or R8750 for 10 nights.

Aquaview Beach House

Twenty One on Deane, in Sea Point on the Atlantic Seaboard, sleeps 6 guests in pure luxury. This stylish, modern and spacious double-storey townhouse has 3 bedrooms and bathrooms. Found high up on the slopes of Signal Hill, overlooking Sea Point Promenade and Robben Island, Twenty One on Deane is closely situated to Clifton Beach, the V&A Waterfront and the bustling metropolis of Central Cape Town. This elegantly furnished, open-plan living space is ideal for any type of holiday and is on special for R1050 per night, with a minimum of 5 nights stay, or 10 nights at a total of R9500.

Make your Easter break truly unforgettable and book your getaway today!

World Cup Fever is spreading fast and even more establishments on CapeStay are running specials to cater for the army of tourists headed towards our shores.

Le Bonheur, in Constantia East is a unique and elegant Tuscan style villa situated within the picturesque, secure and peaceful green belt of the Constantia Valley and surrounded by wine farms. Protected from the summer winds, Le Bonheur is an ideal venue for both summer and winter vacations and within easy travelling distances of many of the well-known sight-seeing spots in Cape Town. Le Bonheur is perfect for film shoots, company conferences, weddings or just the family or couples looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and having a holiday of a lifetime! Catering to the tourist looking for luxury, Le Bonheur boast 6 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, and a large plasma TV that can be viewed from the lounge and patio – perfect for viewing games you couldn’t get tickets for! Le Bonheur’s special for the World Cup can be claimed when booking, until 07 April 2010.

Cape Town Sea Views Villa

Cape Town Sea Views Villa, in Table View Beachfront, is a luxury, self-catering, 2-bedroom beach apartment, fitted with its own jacuzzi spa pool and braai facilities for your exclusive use.  The apartment is just two minutes away from Dolphin Beach only twenty minutes from the V&A Waterfront nightlife, shops and entertainment. Enjoy swimming and relaxing in the apartment´s own private solar-heated salt-water pool with Jacuzzi jets or lie on the sun lounges and soak up the sunrays while sipping on champagne and enjoy a good South African Braai all the spacious patio. The apartment is ideal as a romantic getaway for couples but also suitable for family of six, with plenty in surrounding area to see and do during your stay. At just R1495 per night, for a minimum stay of fourteen nights, book before 14 April 2010 and ensure your place for the World Cup!

Dreamer's Cove

Dreamer’s Cove in Camps Bay, is nestled between Table Mountain and Camps Bay beach. A luxury, four-bedroomed, rooftop apartment, Dreamer’s Cove is the perfect place to truly relax.  Unique in its setting, Dreamer’s Cove is the perfect haven from where to explore the immense diversity of landscapes, marine and terrestrial fauna and flora, cultures, villages, farms, sights and adventures offered by Cape Town. The suite is fully equipped with a television, kitchenette, bar fridge, crockery, cutlery and other standard self-catering facilities. Perfect for two to three visitors, Dreamer’s Cove welcomes World Cup tourists with a special rate of just 40 to 65 Euros, per person sharing, per night.

Fortuintje, in Gordon’s Bay, oozes the ambience and tranquility of yesteryear amidst mordern comforts. Offering panoramic views of False Bay, the open-plan home is perfect for large groups of tourists. Comfortably accommodating up to twenty guests, Fortuintje also boasts open-plan spaces and an entertainment area that can cater for up to fifty guests. Children under three stay for free, and private functions can be catered for. With a World Cup Special of just R250 per night, per person sharing, this is a real bargain in such idyllic surroundings.

The Wellington Wine Harvest Festival is to be held in the charming town of Wellington, from 20 to 22 March 2010. During this weekend, the people of Wellington invite guests from all the country to come and experience the true wonder of Wellington. Visitors are required to purchase an access pass at their first port of call or Wellington Tourism Office, serving as registration to the weekend. This includes a wine tasting glass together with your programme. The pass will allow you free wine tasting at participating cellars through out the week-end. Thereafter it works on a pay-as-you-go system with many of the activities for free. With tickets costing just R60 per person, this festival is not to be missed!

The Wellington Wine Route consists of 26 members comprising 3 producer cellars, well-known estates and smaller boutique wineries and; produce acclaimed and award-winning wines. Wellington has been divided into four areas for this Festival.

Blouvlei, on the Perdeskoen, will provide a fresh and local market, overflowing with local slow, organic and fresh produce. Diemersfontein is also located in this area due to the geographical proximity.

Groenberg is boasting two venues: Schalk Burger and Sons and Bontebok Ridge where the theme is “wild” with game drives, Meerkat and Tall Horse wines, Springbok Burgers and wild boar – with a dash of the Stormers team.

Bovlei has something for everyone and here you can truly taste all the delights on Wellington’s plate. On Monday, most of the wineries in the Bovlei will be entertaining you at the Bain’s Market at Kleinevalleij.

Town Centre is within walking distance from the Info Office and a short hop to DGB and Malan de Versailles.

With a gigantic variety of specials on food, wine and entertainment, all areas of the Festival are sure to excite you!

Wellington, steeped in history and tradition, has a magical atmosphere that will captivate you once you discover the town, its people and attractions. Situated at the foothills of the mountains the valleys and kloofs, the world-renowned wine farms are home to immaculate manicured vineyards and fine Cape Dutch homesteads. World-class wines and brandies from these farms, together with vine nurseries, are the economic mainstay of the region. Most of South Africa’s vine nurseries are found in the area, due to its excellent soil and climatic conditions.

Wellington offers its guests a wide variety of accommodation options.

Bovlei Valley Retreat is a Cape Dutch style homestead, idyllically located at the foot of the Limietberg mountains offering exclusive Guest House Accommodation in the heart of the Cape Winelands. The luxurious en-suite accommodation is set on a working vineyard, lavender and fruit estate. With inspiring views, a fantastic climate and a peaceful ambience, Bovlei Valley Retreat is the ideal location for you to escape and unwind.

Bovlei Valley Retreat

5 Mountains Lodge is an exclusive, luxurious retreat set amongst beautiful gardens and vineyards and framed by majestic mountain scenery located near the peaceful town of Wellington. 5 Mountains Lodge is also the perfect venue for weddings and functions and provides a peaceful environment for conferences and business meetings. Light lunches and evening meals are available at the Lodge, as well as an extensive wine list, which includes 5 Mountains first ever vintage from the Lodge’s Chenin Blanc vineyard. Alternatively, high quality restaurants are plentiful in the surrounding area. Guests can combine sumptuous country living with sightseeing, wine tours, mountain biking, horse riding and walking, or simply relaxing by the pool and enjoying the hospitality from the warm and welcoming staff.

5 Mountains Lodge

Lady Loch Guest House is conveniently situated on the outskirts of Wellington, and offers spectacular views over the mountains and vineyards. With an on-site beauty spa, this Guest House is the perfect haven for peace and relaxation. Set in private grounds that extend to 6½ acres, and which include a 130m stretch of the Berg River, Lady Loch Guest House is still close enough to all amenities. All rooms are unusually large, and have super-king sized beds, en-suite bathroom with double-sized shower, separate dressing area, seating area with cushioned chairs and coffee table, mini-bar and safe.

Lady Loch Guest House

Book your place in Wellington and enjoy the Wellington Wine Harvest Festival!