Where young meets old
In the 17th Century, the Cape colony had been established to provide a provisioning point for the eastward bound ships of the Dutch East India Company and Simon van der Stel , its governor, felt that wine would make a welcome addition to the supplies he was charged to supply.

Expeditions were sent out to the mountain slopes and valleys inland and one night after camping in the bush along the Eerste River (First River) he announced that he would have a town built there. The town was duly established and named after his nights camp in the bush - Stellenbosch.

The town that Simon van der Stell began is to be seen to advantage today, he had spacious streets laid out and oak trees planted along them for shade.

Today central Stellenbosch contains streets of the finest examples of Cape Dutch architecture. The Stellenbosch Village museum is a group of well preserved buildings, each restored and furnished to give you a look at a different period in the history of this fascinating town.

Stellenbosch is at the heart of South Africa's wine producing region, many wine farms are open to the public. But be ware it is also home to one of South Africa's finest universities and parts of the town are vibrant and trendy with night clubs and bars where one can enjoy the odd cocktail or two.  

For this months's recommended restaurants and bars click here.