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History | 2010 Race
Towns
2010 Absa Cape Epic Towns
Cape Town Routes Unlimited is the official destination marketing partner of the Absa Cape Epic. To plan a vacation in the Western Cape before or after the event, or to assist with travel information to the Absa Cape Epic, please visit www.tourismcapetown.co.za
Cape Town
Registration: 20 March 2010
Last Year Visited: 2009
Number of Previous Visits: 1
Cape Town, the "Mother City", situated at the foot of the iconic Table Mountain is the oldest city in South Africa with a cultural heritage spanning more than 300 years. A holiday seekers paradise, this fishing village and metropolis is one giant adventure playground all rolled into one.
Renowned as a place where people come to work and play; conducting business and enjoying the natural landscapes of mountain and sea, spectacular and pristine beaches, architecture, cuisine, music and dance.
Cape Town also boasts the top five national attractions in South Africa: Table Mountain, a world heritage site and one of the finalists in the New 7 Wonders of Nature competition; the V&A Waterfront, a unique shopping and holiday experience on a scenic working harbour; Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned; the Cape Town Wine Routes, where some of the world’s best wines are produced and Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, internationally acclaimed as one of the great botanical gardens of the world.
Official Website: http://www.capetown.travel/
Tourism Info: +27 (0)21 487 6800
Diemersfontein
Start Venue: 21 March 2010
GPS Co-ordinates: 33 39 45.45 S / 19 00 22.19 E
Last Year Visited: n/a
Number of Previous Visits: n/a
Diemersfontein, an idyllic wine estate situated only 45 minutes drive from Cape Town on the Wellington Wine Route in the beautiful Cape Winelands, is know for its beauty, informal elegance, and grace.
Surrounded by panoramic mountain ranges, this third-generation family wine estate holds tradition and authenticity close to its heart offering visitors to the estate the opportunity to experience many aspects of life on a wine farm, including horse riding, picnics, walks, wine tasting, cellar tours, restaurant, accommodation and tractor rides.
Official Website: http://www.diemersfontein.co.za
Tourism Info: http://www.wellington.co.za or +27 (0)21 873 4604/8
Ceres
Stage Location 1, 2 and 3: 21 March 2010
GPS Co-ordinates: 33 22 17 34 S / 19 17 54 08 E
Last Year Visited: n/a
Number of Previous Visits: n/a This town, named after the Roman goddess of fruitfulness, is the centre of one of the most important deciduous fruit producing areas in the Western Cape, South Africa. Its Mediterranean climate results in long, dry warm summers and wet cold winters with sunny days in between the rainy ones make the Ceres area the ideal destination for the outdoor and adventure enthusiast.
Ceres is situated 150km (or a 90 minute drive) from Cape Town, and is surrounded by mountains which shelter it completely from the prevailing south-easterly wind in summer.
San rock paintings, hiking trails, 4x4 routes, mountain biking, scenic drives, horse riding, fresh water fishing, farm tours, cherry picking (in season), canoeing, abseiling, paragliding, skydiving, game viewing and juice tasting as but a few of the activities and attractions the areas has to offer.
The not so adventurous can relax with a glass of Ceres fruit juice (proudly produced in Ceres) or Ceres spring water (bottled at the source in the Ceres Valley), while watching the sunset over the valley of fruitfulness.
Official Website: http://www.ceres.org.za/
Tourism Info: info@ceres.org.za or +27 (0)23 316 1287
Worcester
Stage location 4 and 5 (Time Trial): 24 March 2010
GPS Co-ordinates: 33 38 32 11 S / 19 26 13 77 E
Last Year Visited: n/a
Number of Previous Visits: n/a Tucked away in the magnificent Brandwacht and Langeberg mountains with the Breede and Hex Rivers flowing either side of it, complimented with vineyards and luscious green valleys, Worcester is the most central point of the Cape Winelands District as well as the focal and economic hub of the Breede Valley.
Situated on the main route between Cape Town, Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth, Worcester forms part of the Cape Route 62, the longest wine route in the world and offers visitors beautiful sceneries, award winning wines and great adventure. Its location is just an hour drive from Cape Town, Hermanus, Ceres, Tulbagh, Robertson and Stellenbosch and serves as a well deserved stopover for the traveller to experience true hospitality, friendliness and excellent cuisine.
Official Website: http://www.worcestertourism.com/
Tourism Info: info@worcestertourism.com or +27 (0)23 347 4678 Oak Valley in Elgin/Grabouw
Stage location 6 and 7: 28 March 2010
GPS Co-ordinates: 34 09 14 49 S / 19 03 46 33 E
Last Year Visited: 2009
Number of Previous Visits: 2 Oak Valley is located in the cool climate of Elgin Valley and has been in the Rawbone-Viljoen family since 1898. The property, with its 4000 plus Oak trees, is steeped in history and is renowned for its top quality apples and pears, it’s greenhouse cut flowers, its free range pasture-reared beef and, more recently, for its range of ultra premium wines made from grapes grown in vineyards situated up to 600m above sea level. One of the most beautiful farming properties in the Cape, Oak Valley is also located within the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve, a world heritage site, which forms the epicentre of the Cape Floral Kingdom
Official Website: http://www.oakvalley.co.za
Tourism Info: http://www.elginvalley.co.za or +27 (0)21 848 9838 Lourensford
Stage location 8: 28 March 2010
GPS Co-ordinates: 34 03 52 90 S / 18 53 10 09 E
Last Year Visited: 2009
Number of Previous Visits: 3
Lourensford Wine Estate, established in the year 1700 is arguably one of the most beautiful wine estates in the world. Steeped in history and heritage, the estate also boasts an ultra-modern winery utilising technology unique in the Southern Hemisphere. The magnificent soils and diverse microclimates create the ideal terrain for awarding winning wines. Lourensford Wine Estate is fast becoming one of the biggest wine estates in South Africa, with over 300 hectares of vines already planted.
Lourensford Wine Estate's scenic splendour has made it a popular location for many local and international film shoots, starring some of Hollywood's top actors. The estate hosts annual sporting and cultural events with thousands of participants and spectators, it is also a sought after venue for wedding receptions and corporate functions. There's a sizeable equestrian establishment on the estate, with stabling as well as one of the only two polo fields in Cape Town, it is here that the sport of kings is practised and enjoyed.
Official Website: www.lourensford.co.za
Tourism Info: www.somersetwest.com or +27 (0)21 851 4022
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