WITH THE RAND AT ITS LOWEST AGAINST THE STERLING FOR YEARS, COX & KINGS SHOWCASES THE BEST AFFORDABLE LUXURY EXPERIENCES IN THE COUNTRY 

London – 25 January 2016

With South Africa picked as the most affordable long-haul destination to visit in 2016 (and third overall on the list of destinations*), Cox & Kings has chosen some of the best luxury experiences in the country, which are now of great value. Some offer savings of up to 50% compared to the exchange rate in 2010.

For British travellers who enjoy delectable dining experiences, The Test Kitchen in Cape Town offers incredible value. Listed at number 28 on last year's World's 50 Best Restaurants list, their 10-course tasting dinner is a steal at R1200 – £50.32ᶧ per person, or £67.09 including wine pairing. Compared to previous exchange rates, and even allowing for inflation, this would have cost around £115.60 in 2010ˣ, a decrease of £65.28.

Affordable tasting menus are offered at the Tasting Room at Le Quartier Français in Franschhoek, also listed in the 2015 World's 50 Best Restaurants list. Here, diners can look forward to an 8-course African inspired menu for a cost of R875, or £36.45 a head, coming in at £57.91 with paired wines.

For wine lovers, a bottle of the Steenberg Magna Carta 2012 costs R525 a bottle, equivalent to £21.95 which would have cost £42.37 based on exchange rates in January 2012ˣ. Meanwhile, a bottle of Klein Constantia Vin de Constance 2009, will set you back R750 or £31.40, a cost of £50.88 in January 2009ˣ. According to the Post Office's Travel Barometer released last week, a 3-course meal for two in Cape Town including wine costs £23.61 on average, with a glass of wine at a bar around £1.45.

Cox & Kings' Africa product manager Louise Stanion says “There has been no better time to visit South Africa, especially for travellers who enjoy the finer things in life. South Africa and especially Cape Town is known for its world-class dining experiences and delectable wines, and both are so much more affordable than ever before”.

Cox & Kings offers the 11 day / 8 night South Africa: From Cape to Grape self-drive tour from £1,795 per person twin share. The tour includes international flights from London, car hire, 4- to 5-star accommodation in Cape Town and Stellenbosch, and some meals as per the itinerary.

RESERVATIONS: 020 7873 5000 / www.coxandkings.co.uk

PRESS OFFICE: 020 7808 5694 / kimberley.hay@coxandkings.co.uk 

Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/coxandkingsUK

Find us on Facebook www.facebook.com/coxandkingsUK 

NOTE TO EDITORS

Cox & Kings is the world's longest established travel company. Its history stretches back more than 250 years to 1758 when Richard Cox was appointed regimental agent to the Footguards (later the Grenadier Guards). The company's fortunes grew hand in hand with the British empire and by the early 20th century the company was acting as agent and banker throughout the armed forces and as a shipping agent. In 1922 Cox & Co merged with the Henry S King bank, which had strong connections with India. The bank became part of Lloyds and the shipping agency grew separately, evolving into the modern travel company.

Today, built on the high quality service and attention to detail established by Richard Cox in the 18th century, the company continues to flourish as an independent tour operator, with operations in London, the US, Japan, Australia and throughout India. Cox & Kings organises escorted small-group tours and private tailor-made travel in the Indian Subcontinent, Latin America, the Middle East, the Far East, Africa, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific, and the Caribbean.

*Source: Post Office Holiday Money report

ᶧCalculated using the exchange rates of 20 Jan 2016 on xe.com

ˣCalculated using historic exchange rates published on xe.com