When Juliet McGuire (editor of WOW) had the chance to test-drive the Mercedes-AMG C43 Cabriolet for the day, her first thought was to blaze down the Camps Bay strip. But that’s really an idea for a hot summer’s day, so to make it a more winter-friendly girls’ day out she opted to go on a road trip to Franschhoek with motoring journalist Ané Theron from AutoTrader.
The Mercedes-AMG C43 Cabriolet is the perfect choice for a leisurely road trip
Franschhoek is the perfect choice because there is so much to do all year round – and especially during winter – with so many mountain roads and a plethora of restaurants to choose from. So take the day off from family and work and all that comes with it, and round up your girlfriends for a much-needed road trip.
No girls’ day out is complete without the following three things: fun, food and chocolate. Juliet already had the luxurious set of wheels (which provided the fun), the newly refurbished Reuben’s was the top restaurant choice (that takes care of the food), and to end the day off on a sweet note, Huguenot Fine Chocolates was the place to go (chocolate makes everything better!).
Getting ready to enjoy delicious things to come at Reuben’s in Franschhoek
1. FUN: The perfect car and memories of vehicles gone by
A road trip is the perfect time to talk with your friends about shared memories and favourite moments. Being in such a world-class car, Juliet and Ané reminisced about their very own first cars while driving into the Winelands. Juliet went for the very practical Citi Golf (much to the delight of her father), which was not her first choice but quickly became a part of the family.
Ané’s first car was ‘a lot older and a lot slower’ – a used white Ford Escort 1.3, ‘and I squeezed every last bit of power out of that engine! Oh, the adventures we had,’ she says. For new drivers shopping for their first car, Ané recommends the Renault Sandero because it is one of the safest entry-level cars around, as well as being super-light on fuel.
Nothing is better than going on an adventure with your friends
Going back to the car at hand, the Mercedes-AMG C43 Cabriolet is priced at more than R1 million and is a glorified weekend cruiser. A steep price for a car that is not high on practicality, although it is said the cabriolets never are.
‘The C43 Cabriolet is all about the glamour and the lifestyle – the little creaks are probably not going to bother everyone,’ says Ané. ‘While the BMW 4 Series Convertible is all about the driving experience, the C43 is about opulence, and how you feel sitting inside it. The C43’s interior is also much more ooh la la than its Bavarian rival.’
2. FOOD: A wintry lunch at Reuben’s
A road trip has the potential to take it out of you – what with all the adventure and fresh air – so a food stop is the perfect thing to break up the day. And what better spot in Franschhoek to go to than Reuben’s. With a new location and modern aesthetic, the restaurant was the perfect choice for Juliet and Ané to feast on tantalising delicacies.
Reuben Riffel knows how to bring flavours and textures together to create the perfect dish
Chef and owner Rueben Riffel’s cooking is honest and undeniably delicious. There’s just no other way to describe his pork belly with crispy crackling or sumptuous risotto with hazelnuts and Jerusalem artichokes. It’s the perfect winter indulgence – worth the road trip for sure!
Pork belly with crispy crackling is the perfect wintry dish
Risotto with hazelnuts and Jerusalem artichokes – an explosion of flavours
3. CHOCOLATE: Sweet indulgences at Huguenot Fine Chocolates
A road trip to Franschhoek wouldn’t be complete without a stop at Huguenot Fine Chocolates. This charming boutique chocolatier offers a wide range of mouthwatering chocolates made from the finest imported Belgian chocolate. To add something special to your girls’ road trip and day out, why not enjoy a chocolate-tasting experience?
For 30 minutes you and your friends can learn about the history of chocolate and watch a demonstration of how the chocolatier goes about making the chocolate you see in the window. To top it all off you will get to taste the delicious chocolate, and as much of it as your sweet tooth will allow! The tastings happen daily at 11am and 3pm and you will need to call ahead to book: 021 876 4096.
Quickie car chats on the road: Q&A with Juliet and Ané
What’s your favourite feature in a car?
Ooh, this is always an interesting one, as it can change quickly, but at the moment, in this cold spell, mine would be heated seats and a heated steering wheel. But for my more practical mind it would be Bluetooth for sure! Then maybe parking sensors. And oh, obviously, air conditioning in summer. – Juliet
I have to admit that I have become overly reliant on rear parking sensors! One gets spoilt so easily with all the new tech in the high-end cars. However, stuff like Lane Keep Assist, which nudges you back into your lane (using cameras that ‘see’ road markings) is an amazing safety feature – and this technology has now started to become available in more affordable cars such as the Opel Astra Hatch 1.4T Sport. – Ané
Having fun on a road trip is a great way to destress
What’s your favourite thing about Franschhoek?
Wine, wine, wine! And Huguenot Fine Chocolates is my BEST. I cannot drive past without stopping. They even know me by name now! There is something so special about being in a car like the Mercedes-AMG C43 Cabriolet and heading out to Franschhoek. This place is just filled with beautiful things, from food and art to breathtaking landscapes and a twisty pass. Plus, of course, you’ve got gems like Reuben’s, where your taste buds go to be pampered. Just wonderful. – Juliet
The scenery is breathtaking, and you’re spoilt for choice with stunning wine farms and restaurants. It’s the Western Cape at its finest. And yes, the pass! There’s a reason why car nuts such as Reuben Riffel choose to live here! He drives a BMW M4 Convertible, which is perfect for it. – Ané
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