|
|
|
News and Articles
|
|
|
Dec 15, 2009: Going Grand in Paarl
...
|
|
|
»
Dec 15, 2009:
Paarl occupies a strange position in the tourism hierarchy of the Western Cape. Not as picturesque as Stellenbosch, nor trendy as Franschhoek, it’s never quite had the magnetism of its winelands cousins.
But as I discovered recently this reputation is widely undeserved, for although the gems may not be as obviously strewn amongst the oak-lined avenues like Stellenbosch or surrounded by designer outlets, Paarl has a unique charm that is steadily attracting an ever-increasing number of visitors.
Perhaps what sets the town apart from the rest of the winelands is that it hasn’t sold its soul to tourism; it's still very much a self-sufficient town with tourism playing a supporting, rather than dominating, role.
Any visit to Paarl simply has to begin at the infamous Taal Monument, the controversial memorial to the Afrikaans language. When it was erected in 1975, critics are said to have joked that monuments were usually erected to the dead! Nonetheless it has become an important cultural monument for many Afrikaners, and is one of the defining features of the town.
Not far from the Taal Monument along the picturesque Jan Phillips Mountain Drive is the granite monolith that gave the town its name, Paarl Rock. When the free burgher Abraham Gabemma set off from Jan van Riebeeck’s fledgling Cape Colony one morning in, the sight of the granite outcrop gleaming after a rainstorm prompted him to name it ‘Peerleberg’; Pearl Mountain. The view of the surrounding winelands from the top of either Paarl or Bretagne Rock (the two main outcrops) is well worth the walk up.
Down below, it's easy to see the main road running north to south through town. Towards the southern end of town, past the renowned Laborie vineyards and winery, is the historic Strooidak church. Built in the early 19th century, the church lays claim to being the oldest Dutch reformed church in South Africa. The church is unfortunately only open on certain mornings of the week, but the attractive churchyard is open to the public allowing you to freely admire the outside of this historic church.
Further up the Main Street, past the amusingly named Vergenoegd (literally ‘far enough’) old-age home, is the Paarl Museum housed in an impressive Cape Dutch building dating back to 1787. The museum has an interesting collection of Victorian bric-a-brac, historic Cape furniture, artefacts and photographs illustrating the development of Paarl through the years.
There's wine-tasting galore on the farms and wineries in and around town, but Paarl has also become one of the Cape’s hidden gems for great food and great hospitality. Leading the pack in this neck of the woods is Grande Roche, the five-star Relais & Chateaux guesthouse tucked away in the vineyards just beneath the famous granite outcrop.
No new kid on the block
Tracing its history back to 1717 when a grant of land was given to Hermanus Bosman, the local 'sick comforter' and assistant to the Reverend Simond, the Grande Roche estate is by no means a new kid on the block.
After numerous renovations and reincarnations through the centuries, it was in 1991 that the historic estate was restored to its former glory; hard work that was recognised in 1993 with the entire estate being declared a national monument.
Beautifully restored, a sense of history pervades the elegant suites and standard rooms of the estate. Spread amongst small vineyards, the luxurious rooms have all the standard mod-cons you’d expect of a five-star hotel, and are each individually decorated. A handful of suites have recently been completely renovated, and now bring a touch of modern design chic to the traditional Cape cottages.
Thatched roofs and shuttered windows are in keeping with the vernacular style, while trailing vines overhanging your private terrace provide the perfect place to escape from the searing summer sun while you drink in the vistas below. If you’re more the active type, the estate offers mountain-biking and walking trails, as well as a fully-equipped gymnasium and tennis courts.
You’ll need to work up an appetite if you’re going to take full advantage of Bosman’s, the award-winning signature restaurant at Grande Roche. Set in the 18th century manor house, the restaurant is a formal affair where fine crystal and chandeliers set the scene, although the open-plan view to the hotel's informal lobby can be distracting.Source: Travel Daily News - www.traveldailynews.com
Tags: paarl accommodation guest houses paarl bed & breakfast paarl western cape accommodation stellenbosch guest accommodation franschhoek luxury guest accommodation paarl winelands taal monument paarl jan phillips mountain drive paarl paarl rock laborie vineyards grande roche grande roche paarl guat house luxury guest house paarl relais and chateaux guest house
 back to news home page
July 2010
June 2010
May 2010
April 2010
March 2010
February 2010
January 2010
December 2009
November 2009
October 2009
September 2009
August 2009
July 2009
June 2009
May 2009
April 2009
July 2008
February 2007
|
|
|
|
Browse Travelfinda.com News By Category
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recently added travel listings
|
|
|
|
|
Wishlist: 0 Items
