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 has 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.
Aerial view of iconic Table Mountain and Cape Town
DG
DG
SAIO
SAIO
2020
2020
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