Western Cape Province
Western Cape
This province is generally defined internationally by three iconic
attractions – the Garden Route, Table Mountain and Cape Town.
The latter, also known locally as the ‘mother city’, needs little introduction
as it been renowned as a port city on the Cape route for hundreds of
years.
Table Mountain sitting in the heart of Cape Town causes very little
discussion or debate, other than perhaps amongst local weather watchers
and this will be as to when there will or will not be the famous tablecloth
in evidence!
The Garden Route however poses a very different challenge.
Opinions will vary wherever you go, but to simplify the discussion here,
there are in effect 2 Garden Routes – the original one which stretches
from just outside Mossel Bay to Knysna and what I shall refer to as the
‘extended’ version.
It can be argued that this second route stretches from Port Elizabeth in
the Eastern Cape all the way to Cape Town itself.
As a visitor it will make very little difference where you start or finish
in this area as it is all glorious coastline and sprinkled with fantastic golf
courses. These range from the magnificent St Francis Links in the West,
past The Fancourt’s 3 world class Gary Player designed courses in George
and then on to another masterpiece in the form of the Pearl Valley Jack
Nicklaus Signature golf course at Val de Vie Estate in the centre of the
Cape’s winelands.
The Western Cape is however much more than the sum of its three most
famous attractions.
The golfer is blessed with a great variety of choice and course styles,
from the links layouts at St Francis and The Links at The Fancourt’s, to
the beautifully conditioned and more resort / stadium type course that
Nicklaus designed at Pearl Valley and then on to a more parkland style of
layout that is to be found at the venerable Royal Cape Golf Club.
The non-golfer on a family vacation will have miles of blue flag beaches to
choose from, the delights of a trip through the winelands (although the
golfers might make themselves available for this experience too!) and the
attractions of the V&A Waterfront.
Nature lovers can marvel when whale watching in Hermanus, or diving
with great white sharks – this is definitely an experience for the more
adventurous!
If time allows all visitors should make time to visit or see at least one of
Robben Island, the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point, or take a trip up
Table Mountain.
The weather will play a key part in all of these activities and none more so
than Table Mountain.
As a coastal city framed by two oceans, Cape Town can be subject to the
weather coming in off the South Atlantic.
A big south easterly blow (the infamous Cape Doctor) will soon result in
a ‘postponed’ sign for a planned visit up the mountain, so keep an eye on
the barometer and have a back-up plan or
activity in place – even if it is only to slip off to a local waterfront bistro
and make friends with a bottle of one the Cape’s magnificent wines!
However patience will have its reward, as on a calm day and under flawless
blue skies the visitor will be greeted from the top of Table Mountain with
panoramic views of the city centre and with a backdrop that stretches
from the 12 Apostles near Hout Bay to the Cape Flats – well worth the
trip, either for hikers or cable car users.
42 Destination Golf .TRAVEL