Cape Town Wine Country: Pros and Cons of the Franschhoek Wine Tram

You can't go to Cape Town without experiencing what its wine regions have to offer. I've spent some time in Stellenbosch as well as Constantia, so it was only right that I extended some love to Franschhoek. After googling information about wineries, the Franschhoek Wine Tram immediately appeared. Their website says,

"The Franschhoek Wine Tram hop-on hop-off tour is one of the best ways to discover the true essence of the Franschhoek Valley – picturesque vineyards, breath-taking scenery, warm hospitality, world-class cuisine, fine wines and a 300 year history."

It sounds marvelous! But as I discovered, there are definitely some pros and cons to a day trip on the wine tram.

PROS

1. You can visit more than one vineyard.

There are four lines to choose from based on your preferences. The green and blue lines are known for their local wines, while the red and yellow lines stop at international wine farms. Because the tram allows for a hop-on/hop-off experience, you can stay at a vineyard for an hour or longer if you want to skip the next stop.

2. The views are unmatched. 

There are literally no bad views at any vineyard.

Photo Credit: Jami J. Rodgers

3. Each winery offers something different. 

Each vineyard has their own specialty. For example, La Lude produces fermented sparkling wines with the Cap Classique method (would be called 'champagne' if produced in the Champagne region in France). This tasting room was one of my favorites because of its French-like decor and beautiful chandeliers. Other vineyards and tasting rooms were more rustic and earthy. You'll definitely finish the day with a preference.

At La Lude 

4. It's great for meeting other locals and tourists alike.

It's almost impossible not to make friends with fellow tram riders. And believe it or not, you may meet local South Africans. Hey, if you had beautiful rolling hills with perfect vineyards near your city, you'd spend time there too.

While there are many pros, there were also some cons you should be aware of before embarking on the wine tram.

CONS

1. It's not a train. 

I read "Franschhoek Wine Tram" and thought, "Oh cool! A train!" However, I failed to read the fine print that says you only take the 'tram' (read: not train) to two vineyards. The remaining vineyards are serviced by a bus or trolley. This is definitely clever marketing on the company's part. Be sure to read the fine print.

2. There are no extended stays. 

If you spend more than one hour at the vineyard of your choosing, you won't be able to see the remaining vineyards on the tour. Toward the middle of the tour, I started to get restless shuttling from one vineyard to the next. And after a while, all the wine starts to taste the same, especially if you're doing multiple tastings.

3. The day becomes LONG.

Around stop #5, we had our fill of wine. We hopped off and they drove us back to the starting location.

Things You Should Know:

1. The tour costs R200 per person or approximately $12.50 and includes wine tastings at 2 of the 7 wineries you can visit. 
2. You should buy your tickets online and pick them up at the kiosk, which I highly recommend. The tours sell out quickly and you'll have made the trip out to Franschhoek for nothing.
3. You can either stay at one of the vineyards for lunch (skipping one vineyard on the tour) or you can snack at each place along the way. We decided to eat small portions at each vineyard to taste a variety of options. However, if you decide to eat lunch at one place, be sure to make reservations because the vineyard may be closed or booked.
4. Make sure you take great photos! There's beauty everywhere.

Overall, I'd suggest the Wine Tram if you'd like to see a variety of vineyards in Franschhoek. Just be sure you're properly prepared by making restaurant reservations, bringing a bottle of water, your flat shoes and a positive attitude!

Johannesburg By Night: Soweto Night Tour

Because I enjoyed my first tour of Johannesburg with MoAfrika Tours, I decided to take another of their tours, the Soweto Night Tour. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Soweto last time but because it was so far from where I was staying in Sandton, it would have cost an arm and a leg in an Uber. And since I'm not from there, I wouldn't have known where the hot spots were. This tour was the perfect solution. 

Our driver, Sonny (same guide I had last time!) picked us up from the hotel around 6 p.m. There ended up being three other people on our tour so after we picked them up at their respective hotels, we arrived in Soweto around 7:30 pm. Before getting down to business, Sonny gave us the lowdown on some typical Soweto hand gestures and lingo. He also showed us where Winnie Mandela currently lives. 

Stop #1

Our first stop on the tour was Sakhumzi on Vilakazi Street. During the day, Sakhumzi is pretty much where all the tourists go. But at night, it's alive with music, drinks and locals having a good time. We each ordered drinks, while Sonny ordered the local beer called "Shake Shake." Shake Shake is a homemade beer, the main grains used being malted sorghum and maize, but it may also contain millet. It's only about .5% ABV on day one, but as fermentation continues in the carton, the stronger it gets. We took turns drinking from the ritual cup (LOL) and it turned out to be quite the group bonding experience. Not to mention the beer actually tasted pretty good! I'd definitely drink it again.

Stop #2

Our second stop was back to Chaf Pozi...my favorite! We went there during the Ultimate Johannesburg Tour so I was excited to head back. Here, we ate typical South African dishes, including chakalaka (my absolute favorite South African food, hands down), pap (sort of like grits or maize), grilled beef, sausage and chicken. Needless to say, this was probably my favorite stop. There was a DJ playing a wide array of music so people were up dancing and having a great time. As partygoers started to leave, we thought it was time we head to our next stop.

So here is where it got a little tricky...

Stops #3 and #4

After leaving Chaf Pozi, we headed to another popular club, 'The Rock', but unfortunately it was closed. Sonny used his connects to try and figure out what else was going on in Soweto on a Saturday night. Meanwhile, I had asked our waitress at Chaf Pozi what other places were popular. She told me that 'News Cafe' and 'The Establishment' were the places to go, so I had them in the back of my mind.

Sonny took us to another local place (I forget the name) but it didn't look like all that great a time. It actually just looked like a big parking lot with people standing around. No bueno. We ended up driving around for about 20 minutes before I mentioned 'The Establishment.' Turns out we had driven by it earlier in the evening and indeed it was a popular establishment. As a group, we decided that would be our best bet. We actually ended up liking this place because it was large, had both indoor and outdoor seating, and waitresses take your drink orders all night long. Winning!

Unfortunately, because Sonny was wearing shorts they wouldn't let him in, but he let us stay and enjoy the night until about 11:30 p.m. We had a great time and I would do it all over again! I highly recommend this tour because it allows you to see a different side to Soweto; one not crowded with visitors during the daytime. At night, I really think the township comes alive and you get the real flavor for what Soweto is all about. 

A few things to remember:

• You're still a visitor. Don't get too comfortable and forget to mind your surroundings. 
• Go with the flow. One person in our group was getting frustrated because we had to drive around a bit to find the next spot. Don't let that be you. Nightlife constantly changes, which means so do the hot spots. Relax and be flexible.
• Don't forget to tip your tour guide!

Happy traveling!