Latest news with #Sightseeing
%3Amax_bytes(150000)%3Astrip_icc()%2FTAL-blacklane-chauffeur-cars-BLACKLANELDN0825-cacfffa5c7964878a9c599213b5b4f8e.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Travel + Leisure
5 days ago
- Business
- Travel + Leisure
This Luxury Car Service Just Launched Private City Tours in 2 of Europe's Most Iconic Capitals—and It Starts at Just $350
European city tours just got an upgrade. Luxury chauffeur service Blacklane introduced new private sightseeing services in both London and Paris. Founded as a chauffeur service that operates a fleet of newer, high-end cars with trained drivers, the company is hoping to expand and help travelers dive deeper into new destinations. 'Blacklane's new sightseeing tours bring comfort, space and privacy to these incredible cities. Our professional chauffeur partners are passionate about their home cities, and share insider local tips that you simply don't get in any other sightseeing experience," Blacklane co-founder and CEO Jens Wohltorf told Travel + Leisure . "London and Paris are busy, large and at times overwhelming to navigate, with iconic sights spread far and wide. Connecting them in a stress-free manner, away from the crowds, with Blacklane's sightseeing tours is the most relaxing way to pack in lots of fantastic experiences." Each private tour lasts four hours and is complete with visiting landmark locations, pausing for photo stops, and includes flexible pick-up and drop-off spots. In London, guests can expect up-close views of Buckingham Palace along with the London Eye, the Tower of London, the Royal Albert Hall, and more. Meanwhile, tours in Paris will bring travelers by the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, the Arc de Triomphe, and the Louvre. 'Plus, our dedicated concierge team can tailor a day to add in airport transfers, a lunch booking or simply more time to soak in the city," Wohltorf added. Family-friendly vehicles and infant car seats are also available upon request, and travelers can add stops to their tour to customize it to their needs. The luxurious experience does come with an equally elevated price tag. Tours in London start at £300 ($402.68) while tours in Paris start at €300 ($348.31). Tours are available in electric vehicles (like a Mercedes-Benz EQE), first-class cars (think: Mercedes-Benz S-Class or BMW 7 Series), and larger vans for small groups (like a Mercedes-Benz V-Class). Wohltorf said the company is already planning to expand the tours to additional cities, but it wasn't immediately clear which cities they would be. Blacklane isn't alone in upgrading driving tours both in major cities and remote locations. In fact, the Faroe Islands recently launched rental cars with built-in audio guides that bring travelers to lesser-known locations. And in London, travelers can discover the city's rock history in a signature black cab with companies like Rock Cab Tours. Unique driving tours even have a celebrity following with Beyoncé and Jay-Z famously bringing their family on an afternoon tea-themed trip across New York City a while back.
Time Out
08-06-2025
- Time Out
Local Intel: Carl Wastie
Pipe Track and Newlands Ravine I love a good hike, and Table Mountain offers several paths of tranquillity and unmatched views of the city. The Pipe Track is a great starting point for any hiker, and it can be lengthened or shortened depending on your available time or how much you want to challenge yourself. Newlands Ravine is much the same – just as beautiful – but it's perfect for taking the dogs on what I like to call 'walkies on steroids.' I'm a dog dad to four Boston Terriers, so this is essential. City Sightseeing A trip on the Cape Town City Sightseeing bus is one of the best ways to feel proud of the city I live in. It offers the opportunity to see many places I can check off my bucket list, and the Hop-On Hop-Off feature makes it a full day of fun and connection with loved ones. A little-known fact is that I'm the voice of the City Sightseeing bus, so I literally get the chance to practice what I preach through those earphones. Spier This place will always be special to me and my family. It offers picnics with friends, which lead to games of 30 Seconds and snacks on the lawns. Their restaurant, Vadas, serves the best Pastéis de Nata I have ever tasted, along with Smokehouse offerings one can only dream of. Who would've thought a head of broccoli could be so good? I'd highly recommend it. R310 Baden Powell Dr, Stellenbosch Epice One of my favourite places in the world is Franschhoek. It is brimming with amazing restaurants and truly incredible experiences. The chef at the helm here is Charne Sampson (Mouton), who is a genius when it comes to mixing lekker Cape Malay flavours with French techniques. When you're there, snap as many pics as you can, especially of the ice cream cart that swings by for dessert. Beau Constantia I love this spot – it's fine dining, but it never feels inaccessible. The menu changes beautifully and often, not just seasonally, thanks to the experimental mind of my friend, Chef Ivor Jones, who just scooped Chef of the Year at the 2025 Eat Out Awards. 1043 Constantia Main Rd, Constantia Salsify Clearly, I'm a restaurant guy, but this place is one of those spots where your phone constantly comes out to snap pictures of the décor, graffiti, and preserved history. The menu is always fresh and creative, and the chef, Ryan Cole, is a humble, talented guy who makes you feel like you've been invited over to his place for some though it's a multi-award-winning, must-see restaurant. Tulbagh Recently, I was invited to experience Tulbagh, just a little over an hour outside of Cape Town, and I was highly impressed with the incredible places one can explore there. This included a stay at Rijk's Wine Estate as well as Manley Estate, where I was thoroughly impressed with the culinary team, made up of trained local women from the area. I'm also booked to stay at the Geodome accommodation soon, something I've wanted to do for the past few years.
