Presided over by its cathedral, where Jane Austen is buried, and medieval castle, home to King Arthur’s Round Table; Winchester wears its history on its sleeve. A maze of cobbled lanes and half-timbered buildings harbour old English pubs, traditional cafés, lively markets, and artisan shops.

Hiking trails and art galleries abound in Stellenbosch, but it's wine that takes center stage. More than 100 wine cellars, most open to the public, surround the oak-lined South African town, and tasting tours operate daily. Winter brings a four-day festival celebrating the local vintages. The historic town center houses the trading-post style shop Oom Samie se Winkel, the Neo-Gothic Moederkerk church, and museums dedicated to toys, military memorabilia, autos and early life on the Cape.