Cape Town, South Africa
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Greater Cape Town abounds with gay-friendly inns and B&Bs - there are plenty of worthwhile options in a variety of price ranges. The Metropole is a modern boutique hotel in the heart of downtown, close to the many restaurants and shops along the main thoroughfare, Long Street. Rooms are comfy and spacious, and some have small balconies overlooking the street. There's an excellent restaurant, Veranda, on the second floor.

Among the city's best guest houses, consider 4 on Varneys, a luxurious six-room inn with a lushly landscaped courtyard and sleek, modern rooms; or the Charles, an intimate new property in the heart of De Waterkant. The 12 rooms and four cottages are done with swank furniture and have deep tubs and separate showers. A top choice for lesbians is Colette's B&B, an affordable and tastefully done two-room inn for women in a suburb just outside of the city center (close to good hiking and wine-tasting).

The Winelands wine country makes for an enjoyable day trip, but if you have time, try to spend a night or two out this way. This verdant, sunny region east of Cape Town is dotted with engaging towns, the most scenic and sophisticated being Franschhoek, Stellenbosch, and Paarl. The area is known for a distinctive red wine called Pinotage, but it also produces excellent Shiraz, Chardonnay, and many other vintages. One winery worth checking out is Fairview, noted not just for its stellar wine but also for its fantastic gourmet cheeses and garden-side restaurant. For a more intimate experience, drop by Muratie Winery, an small vineyard producing first-rate Pinot Noir and Shiraz.

As is often the case in wine regions, the Winelands has plenty of urbane restaurants and gourmet food and cheese shops. Of particular note is Le Quartier Francais, a foodie mecca for its restaurant, which has made more than a few "best in the world" lists; this Relais & Chateaux country inn also boasts stunning rooms with giant soaking tubs and plenty of cushy amenities. Also in Franschhoek, Mont Rochelle Hotel & Mountain Vineyards offers plush accommodations and excellent food, and nearby Cabriere ranks among the town's top wineries. If you're on a bit of a budget, try Franschhoek's gay-owned Maison Chablis, a warmly furnished seven-room country house with a pool and serene, landscaped grounds.

Stellenbosch, a historic university town with numerous 18th-century buildings done in the region's enchanting "Cape Dutch" style, also has a number of excellent restaurants, plus great shopping. Consider staying at the charming D'Ouwe Werf 1802, South Africa's oldest inn - it also has a fine restaurant. Another good choice is gay-friendly Villa Exner, a bit south of Stellenbosch along the region's scenic "Garden Route." This posh country estate has spacious rooms with flat-screen TVs and DVD players, a large outdoor pool, and a restaurant serving acclaimed country fare. At this property, you're close to the three elements that make this part of the world so special: prolific vineyards, turquoise seas, and emerald mountains.

Andrew Collins is the author of Fodor's Gay Guide to the USA and as well as numerous other guidebooks.