Travel Deal of the Day, Part One – August 17, 2012

Enjoy the Travel Deal of the Day, PART ONE! Brought to you by The Student Globe Trotter! More deals to come!

Happy travels!

Waterfront Stay and Vineyard Tour with Airfare – Cape Town, South Africa  Source: Groupon

Greater Cape Town: Wine Country and the Atlantic Beaches

Nine-Day, Seven-Night Cape Town Waterfront and Vineyard Package from Aquila Private Game Reserve with Roundtrip Airfare, Most Meals, and Tours (Link to Company Website)

What You Get

Nine-day, seven-night South African vineyard and safari tour with airfare. Travel with a Friend package (two Groupons required). 

• Option 1: $3,468, 8/28–9/10 departures (a $6,699 value)
• Option 2: $2,799, 9/11–10/31 departures (a $6,499 value)
• Option 3: $2,999, 11/1–11/26 departures (a $6,613 value)
• Option 4: $3,513, 11/27–12/10 departures (a $6,813 value)
• Option 5: $4,041, 12/11–12/31 departures (a $7,113 value)

Book by: for 8/28-9/10 departures book by 8/27/12 or two weeks prior to departure (whichever comes first), for 9/11-10/31 departures book by 10/12/12 or two weeks prior to departure (whichever comes first), and for all over departure dates book by 10/12/12.

Included in all options:

• Round-trip airfare from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) to Cape Town International Airport (CPT)
• Accommodations
• Guides
• Most meals
• Ground transportation
• Two 4×4 jeep safari tours
• Two horseback-riding safaris
• Wine tour and tasting

South Africa embodies diversity in every sense of the word: though English is now South Africa’s most widely spoken language, the government recognizes 11 official languages, and there are scores of additional dialects linked to sub-Saharan Africa, Europe, and Asia. Over the course of a short drive, you might pass through wildly disparate landscapes reminiscent of Basque wine country, the Australian outback, and the Rocky Mountains. Great white sharks stalk prey near the shores and giraffes graze on its savannas.

The region surrounding Cape Town captures this diversity in particular, and it’s the setting for this seven-night adventure. View the full itinerary here.

Day 1: Arrival

You’ll depart from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), stop briefly in Johannesburg, and continue onto Cape Town International Airport (CPT).

Days 2–4: Waterfront Village – Cape Town

The Waterfront Village is situated amid the scenic V&A Waterfront Marina in the heart of Cape Town, right at the base of Table Mountain. You can take a dip in the hotel’s swimming pools, or venture out to explore the nearby waterways, which are lined with restaurants and shops. You’ll stay in a one-bedroom apartment and, each morning, dine on an included breakfast at the nearby One and Only Hotel.

Days 5–6: Aquila Private Game Reserve

Aquila Private Game Reserve, located about two hours from Cape Town, encompasses 7 square miles of southern Karoo Highlands. It’s covered with dramatic peaks, valleys, and a menagerie of big game. On a stop here, you will get to see lions, elephants, giraffes, and many more species during game drives; you’ll also travel by horseback and four-by-four safaris.

The standard luxury chalets here feature thatched roofs, wood interiors, and natural-stone accents. Chalets stand close to the main house, which has two large swimming pools, a cigar bar and lounge, and a buffet-style dining area, where you’ll enjoy three included meals per day.

Days 7–8: Spier Hotel – Stellenbosch

Spier Hotel sits in the heart of Stellenbosch, South Africa’s famed wine region just outside Cape Town. Spier Winery produces an array of award-winning wines, including pinotage, South Africa’s signature varietal. The hotel and winery value sustainability; they have recycled-wood furniture in the tasting room and a magnificent chandelier made from 334 recycled Spier wine bottles.

Contemporary South African art can hangs from the walls in both the standard rooms and the farm-to-table fine-dining restaurant, where you’ll partake in the included daily lunch.

Day 9: Departure

In the morning, you’ll be transported back to CPT. After a brief pit stop in Johannesburg, it’s onward to IAD.

Read the Fine Print for important info on travel dates and other restrictions.