The heart of the Cape Winelands. This was the second town to be founded in South Africa in 1685, and Governor Simon van der Stel found the area so much to his liking that he called it after himself. The long and attractive ‘Dorp Street’ has more architectural National Monuments than you can possibly appreciate in one stroll up along its fascinating pavement.
The whitewashed terrace of Cape Dutch thatched cottages were badly damaged by fire three times before residents started building Georgian style double story houses notable for their symmetry followed by ornate Victorian homes with iron filigree balustrades and sloping corrugated roofs. The Oak lined streets are always busy as this is an important university town, where they only recently decided to lecture in English as well as Afrikaans. Of course the reason most visitors come here is to sample the wonderful wines of the area and there are over 200 estates offering tasting.
The Cape Town region of South Africa is one of the most beautiful and compelling places to visit. The city has fascinating historical sites, excellent museums, vibrant markets and a handsomely restored waterfront. The mountain wilderness, rugged coastlines, sandy beaches, lush gardens, beautiful wine estates, superior hotels are all a must see; and of course, Cape Townians and some of the warmest, most welcoming people you will ever meet.
Named after the Roman goddess of agriculture, this area has warm summers but cold frosty winters, perfect for deciduous fruits such as apples, pears and plums. Hundreds of Oaks, Pines, Blue Gums and Poplar trees have been planted over the years and with winter snow-capped mountain scenery, Ceres has an Alpine feel to it. As it lies at the foot of the mountains, there are a multitude of streams, rivers and dams with plenty of trout for the fly fisherman.
Under two hours drive north of Cape Town along the N7, Citrusdal beckons with a sense of adventure. Gateway to the Cederberg and the floral splendour of Namaqualand, Citrusdal nestles between fragrant citrus orchards at the foot of the majestic Cederberg mountains. Meandering through and sustaining this magnificent fertile valley, is the Olifants River – lifeblood of the areas would-renowned citrus industry.
Gansbaai is a fishing village and popular tourist destination in the Overberg District Municipality. It is known for its dense population of Great White Sharks and as a whale-watching location. The main tourist attraction in Gansbaai since approximately 1995 has been cage diving with Great White sharks. It is said that after the Kruger National Park the Great White sharks attract some of the highest number of tourist to South Africa for any singular activity.
Tucked in the shadow of the Hottentots Holland Mountains, this sunny holiday village has a small harbour and is a popular angling and boating resort. The letters ‘G.B.’ written in stone on the hillside actually refer to General
Botha, the name of the training college for merchant navy officers, not the town named after Colonel Gordon, commander of the Cape garrison in the late 18th century.
The high twisting coastal road leading from Gordon’s Bay to Cape Hangklip is one of the most spectacular anywhere, and with its new coat of tarmac is an absolute pleasure to ride. Not only does this route offer wondrous vistas out to sea, across sweeping bays and vertically down into transparent sapphire shallows, but from July to November you will undoubtedly see the awe-inspiring sight of gigantic whales splashing around.
One of the most historic towns of the old Cape Colony, Graaff-Reinet lies in the hot dry Great Karoo on the fertile banks of the Sundays River. The town retains some of the atmosphere of its days as a frontier settlement when it was full of wanderers, hunters, explorers and pioneers, who were amazed at the vast herds of game roaming the area. Its streets are wide enough to turn a full ox and wagon team and there are more national monuments here than anywhere else in South Africa, (most of which are private homes). The fertility of the soil makes it a perfect centre for sheep, cattle and dairy farming. Graaff-Reinet is surrounded by the Karoo Nature Reserve, ideal for hiking, photographic excursions and nature lovers. This was once part of a huge fertile marshland, filled with prehistoric reptiles, so significant fossil discoveries are not unusual. At the end of a steep road in the reserve is a truly amazing natural wonder that will make you gasp in awe. The eerie and spectacular 'Valley of Desolation' just drops out of the earth in front of you. From the cavernous valley below, the domed heads of great dolomite columns rise, like rockets from a launching pad. It almost seems as if you can see all the way to the end of the earth from this unique vantage point.
Hermanus has the status of being the best land-based whale watching destination in the world. Southern right whales visit Walker Bay from June through to December and can be viewed from aboard a boat or the shore. Hermanus is home to the world’s only Whale Crier who blows his kelp horn when whales are spotted along the central sea route. The town is a cosmopolitan but has retained some of its historical fisherman’s village heritage. A number of craft markets sell a range of interesting wares.
Knysna is one of the Garden Route´s best known travel destinations - situated between lush forests and the shores of the peaceful estuary. It offers many activities and attractions to a wide variety of people. "People. beauty and mystery" is what comes to mind when describing Knysna. The town nestles between the impressive Outeniqua Mountains and the Indian Ocean, with the world-renowned forests encircling it like a protective mantle. The 21 ha estuary is protected from the sea by the monolithic sandstone "Heads" - silent sentinels down the centuries of the rich history of this unique part of "paradise of earth".
Situated on the popular Route 62, approximately 2 hours drive from Cape Town. This peaceful town is steeped in history and is famous for its away inspiring rock formations, orchards, vineyards, local herbs and healing hot mineral springs. Visitors will discover wild flower nature gardens, bird sanctuaries, museums, art galleries, lovely hiking trails, mountain bike trails and ideal rock climbing opportunities.
It’s perfect today in Mossel Bay! Beaches and sunshine, the clean Indian Ocean and the Outeniqua Mountains green and purple in the distance, perfect weather – you really ought to be here. Play, Work, Eat and Sleep – Mossel Bay is a gentle seaside town on the famous Garden Route. It’s a welcoming place, many historical buildings, not at all touristy, that loves children and families.
An early explorer was so taken by the unusual sight of a giant granite dome sparkling as if dotted with jewellery, that he named it Paarl (pearl) Mountain. Dominating the skyline on the top of this monolith, sits the Afrikaans Language Monument representing all the languages that have influenced Afrikaans. Each town in the Cape Winelands rests in its own secluded valley and Paarl is no exception with many notable estates, together with restaurants and guest houses of great renown. Along the 6km main street is the attractive headquarters of the largest wine co-operative in the world, the KWV, responsible for marketing South African wine internationally. Interestingly Paarl lies on exactly the same latitude as Spain’s sherry region.
A residential town on the edge of the Cape Winelands dominated by vineyards and the craggy folds of the beautiful Helderberg mountains. At Vergelegen, one of the oldest and most imposing wine estates in the country, the camphor trees have been declared a national monument and the extensive grounds are delightful. Somerset West is a restful area of much greenery and close enough to sea and mountains to allow enjoyment of both.
A limitless stretch of beach with safe swimming and a long promenade. This little town has a real holiday feel where the urge to buy an ice cream and stroll the beachfront is overwhelming.
With the opening of the Bain’s Kloof pass through the mountains in 1853, and the railway ten years later, the farming community in Wellington swelled. It is not a great centre of activity, so it is curious that every passenger train makes a forced stop at Wellington. This is because the man who donated his land for the station, did so on condition that every train stopped there and even the long distance express trains pull in for a few minutes to adhere to this old rite of passage. Wellington is the centre for the dried fruit industry and in early Summer you might see row upon row of bright orange apricot halves soaking up the sun to dry the
flesh.
