So you have always wanted to…Make a Difference to Children when

on a Cape Winelands tour

Start your Cape Winelands Signature adventure with your first stop at Amado. Found on a smallholding, on the slopes of the renowned Paarl Rock mountain in the Cape Winelands, the AMADO Animal Assisted TherapyRiding Centre gives children with severe disabilities the opportunity to grow – physically, mentally and emotionally – through interaction with horses. Founded by the vibrant M’Lani Basson, who wanted to combine her two passions into a meaningful project. She’d been horse-riding since the age of 3 years old and had a deep longing to do something for children in need in her home town. After a period working in a similar field in Germany to gain experience, she came home and founded the organisation, becoming a registered non-profit n 2008.’

Horseback-riding offers a new visual perspective of the world. It encourages independence and the control of one’s own destiny. Therapeutic riding offers physical, emotional and cognitive rewards.Most of the beneficiaries in the AMADO program do not have the opportunity or are not able to participate in traditional recreational and sports activities. Riding and being around horses offers a chance to be successful at a unique activity that others in their community can only dream of. This ‘I can’ approach governs all aspects of their daily lives.

Individuals with mobility impairments benefit from the three-dimensional gait of riding, which closely simulates human walking movements. This strengthens the core, improves flexibility and increases the ability to move independently. Emotional and cognitive capacity is enhanced by an increase in self-control, patience and concentration as they learn to guide the therapy horse. By succeeding at the task, the rider’s self-esteem rockets.

The center’s five equine therapists – Josef, Rain, Fire, Grace and Amado – are much loved and nurtured, with shiny coats and rippling muscles beneath. Of course, being able to cuddle up and care for them, is therapy for the heart too.

AMADO’s home is in the heart of Paarl, near Cape Town.

YOUR visit to AMADO sponsors a child for a year, making a difference in the life of that individual, and allowing M’Lani to keep following her dream of changing the lives of many others.

01:00PMArrive at Babylonstoren Dating back to 1692, Babylonstoren is a historic Cape Dutch farm that boasts one of the best-preserved farmyards in the Cape. Loved for it’s magnificent garden, that is laid out over 3,5 hectares (8 acres), it is divided into 15 sections that comprise fruit, vegetables, berries, bees for pollinating, indigenous plants, fragrant lawns, a prickly pear maze, ducks and chickens, and more. A secluded path runs along the stream where thousands of clivias flower in spring. The garden also boasts a plethora of trees of historical and botanical import. Every aspect of Babylonstoren, including the contemporary Farm Hotel & Spa, the Farm Shop and Bakery – are led by the ever-changing tapestry and botanical diversity of the garden. Lunch at Babel Restaurant which is housed in an old cow shed, Babel is a wonderful mix of Cape Dutch architecture with contemporary glasswalls that makes for a simple yet edgy environment in which to try their tasty yet often unconventional combinations. They have a farm-to-fork philosophy, which means they like to serve food that is seasonal and that reflects their “pick, clean and serve” approach. Because the menu is guided by what is available in the garden, the food always reflects the season, and so in summer they may serve you ayellow salad of pineapple, gooseberries, granadillas, yellow tomatoes and apricots while in winter a slow-cooked leg of lamb in red wine is more likely. Dessert subscribes to four flavours, namely salty, bitter, sweet and sour. And while the meals are creative, they don’t like to tamper unduly with the food. The meals are always clear in structure, so that fruit and vegetables gathered daily from the garden are often served with its skin on. Helpings are generous and depending on the weather you can take your meal in the glass-enclosed restaurant or under the plane trees.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT US AT:T +27 (0) 87 354 6591E RESERVATIONS@GREATPLAINSCONSERVATION.COMVISIT GREATPLAINSCONSERVATION.COM

03:00PMContinue your winelands tour with your next stop, a tutored tasting with David Trafford at De Trafford Winery, which is situated on the beautiful Mont Fleur farm. The farm is set at the top of a dramatic valley above Stellenbosch, 380m up between the Stellenbosch and Helderberg mountains, right at the end of the Blaauwklip road, between Stellenbosch and Somerset West. David Trafford was an architect, but in 1976 he started producing his own red wines. He never lost his passion for great wines and today he is only focussing on winemaking. The property is owned and run by the Trafford family with a small team of dedicated workers who take great care to produce properly ripe fruit from well balanced, manicured vineyards. The De Trafford 393 Syrah has already been awarded as “Best Wine from South Africa”. 05:00PMHead slowly back to your hotel.

2019 SELLING RATE

2 guests R 23 500

3 guests R 30 000

4 guests R 36 000

5 guests R 42 000

TERMS AND CONDITIONS• The rates are quoted per experience and are based on 2 - 5 people• The rates are current and subject to change without prior notice• All bookings need to be made at least 1 month prior• Foreign language translators available at R3 000 per day• Payment: 30 days prior to experience - 50% deposit

: 7 days prior to experience - 100% full and final payment• Cancellation: Should the booking be cancelled 7 days or less,

100% cancellation fee will apply