We're getting married at L'Ermitage Franschhoek Chateau & Villas, situated in the heart of the Franschhoek winelands on the Fransche Hoek Wine and Olive Estate. Only 45 minutes from Cape Town, and surrounded by magnificent mountain ranges, the Franschhoek Valley offers breathtaking scenery, warm hospitality, world class cuisine and the finest wines.
For further details on L'Ermitage visit http://www.lermitage.co.za/
Welkom
Welcome to our wedding blog!
As you know, we've searched high and low for THE perfect venue... from the white sandy beaches of Sardinia to the rolling vineyards of Tuscany, only to realise that East, West home's best! Our wedding is to take place on Saturday, October 23, 2010 in the food and wine capital of South Africa, Franschhoek! Not only would we be honoured if you could share this special day with us, we would love for you to explore the heart of the Cape wine country with us as well, with all kinds of wonderful activities and excursions leading up to the wedding day!
Please use the 'Blog Archive' on the right to navigate and explore the site with topics ranging from accommodation to our itinery!
Please do not hesistate to call or email either of us if you have any questions in regard to the wedding or to planning your trip. We will be updating this blog often so keep checking back for more details!
Love,
Angelina and Patrizio
Wedding Details
How to Get There
Physical Address:
L'Ermitage Chateau & Villas
Lambrechts Road,
Franschhoek,
Western Cape, South Africa
Location: Map
Sightseeing Suggestions
Cape Town is steeped in a rich history and is a cultural melting pot with a diverse and vibrant character. Here you will find a mix of cultures, landscapes, fauna & flora, architecture, lifestyles, customs and scenery. The Cape offers a myriad of things to do and places to see, whatever your tastes, inclinations or budget. Here are some ideas to get you started...
To the right of Table Mountain, Kloof Nek is linked to the aptly named Lion's Head. The spiral walk up Lion's Head passes through silver trees and spring flowers, and provides a 360º view of the Cape Peninsula as you go round the mountain. The walk is not terribly challenging, and is a popular family outing. At the top, you are rewarded with a breathtaking panoramic view, and birds scramble for the crumbs left behind by numerous picnic baskets.The famous Robben Island, whose prison was once home to former South African president Nelson Mandela as well as many other black political freedom fighters, is now a World Heritage Site and provides stunning views across the bay
For shopping, dining and entertainment the V&A Waterfront is a hotspot for tourists and locals alike. Still a working harbour, the Waterfront is an example of creative architecture and restoration and has become South Africa's most visited tourist attraction.
The beautiful Kirstenbosch Gardens cover an area of 528 hectares with 36 hectares of cultivated garden. The gardens are a celebration of South African flora - showcasing only indigenous South African plants. Fynbos, proteas, cycads and rolling lawns are intermingled with streams and ponds and well-laid out pathways for easy walking. A great variety of birds inhabit the gardens and the sweeping views from the upper slopes are spectacular. Whether for a casual stroll, a more strenuous walk or a lazy picnic, the gardens are a must-see when visiting Cape Town.
Rhodes Memorial, which nestles at the base of Devil's Peak, provides spectacular views towards both Table Bay and False Bay and the Hottentots Holland mountains in the far distance. A visit is worthwhile if only for the panoramic views - at the same time stop for breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea at the popular outdoor tea-room.
Boulders Beach is just down the road from Simons Town on the False Bay coast. This unique beach is perhaps more popular due to its inhabitants, a colony of some 3000 African Jackass penguins, it is said a pair of the penguins first settled in 1982 and the colony has steadily grown ever since.
In order to get the best view of the penguins head to Foxy Bay from the car park area. There you can take a walk along the board walk and view the birds as they bask in the sun or take a dip in their sheltered bay (Entrance Fee R35 adults, R10 for children under 12).
BEACHES
Camps Bay, Llandudno, Clifton
NIGHTLIFE
Camps Bay, Buitengracht, Somerset Road
ACTIVITIES
Kloofing otherwise known as canyoning, is a uniquely Western Cape experience and involves 'throwing' yourself down a river gorge
SEASIDE TOWNS
Hermanus; Gordon's Bay
WINELANDS (45 mins to 90 mins from Cape Town)
Franschhoek; Paarl; Stellenbosch
Gift Registry
Your trip to South Africa to spend this special day with us is gift enough
However should a gift still be your intention
May we take this opportunity to mention
That a day to remember is the 12th September
Just simply click here and enter this number:
418150 and you will be whisked to our list
But most importantly we request
That you come to our wedding as our guest!
p.s. should you have any difficulties accessing the above link our Gift List is with John Lewis https://www.johnlewisgiftlist.com/giftint/JSPs/GiftList/glsmain.jsp
Itinerary
We arrive in Cape Town on Sunday, 17th October. We have lined up one or two things and would be absolutely delighted to have you along. Please feel free to contact us should you wish to join us or even to tempt us to join you in exploring the beauty that is the Cape!
Wedenesday, 20th October
Lunch at The Strandloper Seafood Restaurant
http://www.strandloper.com/about.asp
Saturday, 23rd October
Il Matrimonio di Angelina e Patrizio
Sunday, 24th October
Picnic, Kirstenbosch Gardens
Accommodation
Click here to view Franschhoek Accommodation options
There are 36 self-catering Villas set along the cobbled streets of L'Ermitage amongst the beautiful gardens and fountains. When I first spoke to Brent and asked him about the surroundings, he said, "Angelina, just think Dolce Vita!". The Villas offer a tranquil space for families and friends to relax and soak up the African sun. Children are welcomed in all Villas and those 10 years or younger stay free of charge.

