Do you have plans in July?

1 June-22 August: The V&A Waterfront's Master of the Trade Routes Culinary Challenge

Be a food critic at the V&A Waterfront this winter. Celebrate Cape Town’s varied cultural roots with the V&A Waterfront’s Master of the Trade Routes culinary challenge. More than 20 fine dining restaurants will create fusion dishes inspired by the vibrant and diverse flavours in South Africa for a winter culinary challenge.

Members of the public will be asked to score their meals and choose a winner. Participating restaurants include Den Anker, Meloncino, Greek Fisherman, City Grill, Krugmans Grill, Sevruga, Reubens, The Atlantic , The Conservatory, Hildebrand, Quay 4 (Upstairs), Harbour House, Karibu, Tasca de Belem, Jewel of India, The Grand, Quarterdeck (Commodore Hotel), Clipper (Portswood Hotel) and Signal (Cape Grace).

Where: Waterfront, Cape town

Time: Lunch & Dinner times

Price: R80-R120

6- 7 July: Chrissiesmeer Crane Festival

Enjoy a relaxing two-day programme in Mpumalanga with the Endangered Wildlife Trust to help save endangered wildlife. Besides educational talks, activities will include trips to see the cranes, bird-watching, stargazing and a photo competition. Activities for the kids include face-painting and puppet shows

Where: Mpumalanga Lakes District

Time: 9:30am - 5pm

Cost: R100-R250 per person

7 July: Durban July

The time is nearing for Africa’s most glamorous horse racing event, the Vodacom Durban July 2012. With the build-up to races already in full swing Durban is set to heat up with the  “July Fever” which is all about  fashion, pre-parties, after parties and so much more.

Racecourse draws the biggest names in the entertainment industry and the place to be this month. Dress up and wear big hats and enjoy the race.

Where: Greyville Racecourse, Durban

Time: 10am

Cost: R200

14-15 July: Franschhoek Bastille Festival

Adding a new dimension to this year’s activities, visitors to the festival will have the opportunity to meet French winemakers from the Rhône-Alpes Region in France, who will be showcasing some of their finest wines. These wines will be available for tasting in a specially demarcated VIP marquee, adjacent to the main marquee.

Some of the French winemakers making an appearance include: Gilles Barge, Domaine Barge (Cote Rotie, Condrieu), Jean Luc Monteillet, Domaine De Montine (Grignan Les Adhemar, Cotes Du Rhone, Vinsobres).

Where: Franschhoek, Cape town

Time: 9am

Price: R150 per person and R395 per person (VIP)

27-28 July: The Tyger Valley Centre Wine Festival

This year The Tyger Valley Centre Wine Festival will host about 50 top wineries showcasing their fine wines. The entries include Altydgedacht, Boekenhoutskloof’s Porcupine Ridge and The Wolftrap, Helderberg Wijnmakerij, Jordan, Leeuwenkuil, Morgenster, Muratie, Raka, Sumaridge and Winters Drift.

Where: Tyger Valley Centre, Cape Town

Time: Friday: 3-8pm, Saturday: 12-7pm

Price: R75

28 July: Laborie's Christmas in Winter - It's a Family Affair

Share in the joy and celebrate the magic of the winter season and sample the many Christmas delicacies on offer. Mario the saxophonist will keep visitors entertained with traditional and modern Christmas carols.  The life-size Christmas tree is bound to attract its fair share of attention. 

Where: Laborie, Cape Town

Time: 9am

Price: Free

28-31 July: Linger Longer at Neethlingshof this winter

For wine and food lovers The Lord Neethling restaurant, situated on the beautiful Neethlingshof Estate, outside Stellenbosch, has a fantastic winter special on offer. You can choose form two impala schnitzels or two beef medallions or two lamb shanks, served with all the trimmings and two 250ml glasses of a matching Neethlingshof wine.

Where: Stellenbosch, Cape Town

Time: Pre-arranged

Cost: R160