By Chelsey Hale
A stay at The Manor House, at Fancourt Estate in George, promises a peaceful and exclusive holiday as the Garden Route bursts to life during the festive season.
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In a region brimming with luxurious hotels, you have to do something special to stand out from the crowd, and this historic hotel certainly achieves this.
Here’s our quick round-up of things to do during your December holiday at The Manor House:
Take a trip up to Knysna
While there’s plenty to capture your imagination at The Manor House, it won’t take long before you feel the lure of the Garden Route take hold. Situated on the northern shore of a large warm-water estuary known as the Knysna Lagoon, the seaside town of Knysna makes for an excellent day trip.
Here, five freshwater rivers flow in from the Outeniqua Mountains and meet a surge of seawater from the Indian Ocean. This area provides an idyllic setting for a sundowner cruise, or some last-minute Christmas shopping at the Knysna Waterfront.
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Dabble in some local wines
There are plenty of award-winning wine farms to be discovered along the length and breadth of the Garden Route. Day visits are easily arranged via The Manor House travel concierge.
One of the favourites, Herold Wine Estate, entails a scenic journey through the Montagu Pass. While the property maintains a more rustic, local feel, it complements the beautiful mountain views. Wine aficionados will appreciate the cellar tour, as well as the quirky stories about how the wines got their names.
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Make a day for animals and adventure
When avid nature-lovers are ready to don their adventure hats and give their bird-list a boost, Birds of Eden, located in Plettenberg Bay, offers an incredible live forest experience and stands as the largest free-flight aviary in the world.
It’s a highlight for many guests at the Manor House, but if birds really aren’t your thing, but bottlenose dolphins are, opt for an ocean safari instead, where you can scale the deep blue and possibly even witness pods of Bryde’s whales (seen year-round).
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Get into the Christmas cheer
Fancourt guests can also partake in the festive night market held on Friday 20 December on the estate. It’s guaranteed to put the dazzle into your Christmas shopping experience, along with a little Yuletide entertainment. On Tuesday 24 December, join in for some carols by candlelight, then tuck into an elegant Christmas Eve dinner at Henry White’s. Bookings essential via the Festive Season Coordinator.
Email: [email protected] Tel: 044 804 04 37
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Find your art and history fix
In the seaside town of Wilderness, make a pit stop at The Pharoah Gallery to browse local artist, Peter Pharoah’s contemporary oil paintings.
His collection consists of bold, colourful portraits, abstracts, traditional tribal and African village life. Or explore his African Kaleidoscope collection of safari, wildlife and bushveld scenes.
Built in the 1850s, your stay at The Manor House will already feel as though you are fully immersed in history, but if you’re willing to step it up a notch, nip into the Outeniqua Transport Museum in George, where a collection of steam locomotives and vintage cars await you.
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Wind down at The Spa
After an eventful morning of Garden Route activities or a challenging round of golf, The Manor House guests can slow it down and revive themselves at Fancourt’s award-winning private spa.
Peaceful and stylish, this facility features a jacuzzi, sauna, steam room, tepidarium and a hair salon.
There’s also a Roman Bath where you can spend the rest of your day quietly floating and frolicking. It’s best described as an oasis of sensory bliss for couples and honeymooners.
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