^TM

FOOD & WINE SAFARI

CULTURAL EXPLORATION OF SOUTHERN AFRICA

An innovative FOOD & WINE SAFARI now links Southern Africa's regional cuisines and wines with wildlife by day and luxurious accommodation by night in both cities and the bush.

Available year-round, the FOOD & WINE SAFARI, `Behind the Vines,' is designed to showcase wines from one of the world's most important wine growing regions to a newly interested North American market. Tasting experiences will accompany a cuisine whose influences span Malaysian to Mediterranean.

The FOOD & WINE SAFARI is the inspiration of Cape Classics, a leader in the South African wine import business; Classic Encounters - Southern Africa, a Manhattan-based travel specialist focusing on the luxury market in Southern Africa; and Orient-Express Hotels' African Collection with exclusive properties in South Africa and Botswana -- The Mount Nelson in Cape Town, The Westcliff in Johannesburg and a safari adventure that combines Gametrackers' three spectacular camps on the diverse ecosystem of Botswana's Okavango Delta.

Even in the bush, under Botswana's stars, guests will be seduced by heretofore little-known facts on regional cuisine and how it came to be. Shearer, in concert with his brother Gary Shearer who operates the export business from Stellenbosch, will work closely with The African Collection's Executive Chef Garth Stroebel to create a gustatory testimony to the largesse of a land scarcely known to Americans.

At The Mount Nelson and The Westcliff, Chef Stroebel will present a "Modern South African Cuisine" encapsulating the creative food and wine culture of this country which has seen the introduction of exciting new ingredients and flavors since the lifting of sanctions in 1994.

Ingredients of a FOOD & WINE SAFARI range from sampling edible plants in remote regions north of Cape Town where some of the last Bushmen live, to a private, family-style meal in a Cape Malay house, to a lunch showcasing goat cheese and wines created from the same farm, to al fresco dining on Table Mountain and much more.

Along the way wine experts will explore the fine points of, for example, a Buitenverwachting 1997, a Sauvignon Blanc from the Constancia region; or those of a Mulderbosch Faithful Hound 1996 from Stellenbosch.

FOOD & WINE SAFARI experiences will be tailor-made for both individuals and groups. Classic Encounters will provide suggested itineraries and will accommodate special requests. A sample 14-day program includes a several-night stay with a choice of three camps on the Okavango Delta, overnights in Johannesburg at The Westcliff and at Victoria Falls, an overland adventure on Rovos Rail or The Blue Train, and an extended stay in Cape Town at The Mount Nelson, which this year is celebrating its Centennial. Cape Town is the gateway to the diverse offerings of the nearby Cape Winelands.

There will be group departures as follows February 15-29, 2000 at $5,445 per person; April 26-May 8, 20000 at $5,275 per person, and Sept. 8-22 at $5,695 per person. These group programs will provide an even more intensive and in-depth perspective on South African wines with two full days of wine tours and tastings encompassing eight vineyards and including sumptuous lunches and dinners throughout.

Rates are available upon request. For information on individual arrangements and group departures, please contact Classic Encounters at 1-888/808-1999. For specific information on Cape Classics wines, please call 212/906-9100.

Back to TravelLady Magazine