Unless you have a month on your hands, forget about seeing the whole of the Western Cape in a single trip. There are so many charming seaside towns and villages nestled in picturesque valleys to visit, you will have to plan your route very carefully if you want to see everything you want. You should decide whether you want to spend your time primarily on the East Coast, the West Coast or in the interior. Whichever route you choose, you are bound to have an unforgettable experience.
One of the most popular tourist routes to take is of course the world-famous Garden Route. This goes from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth, and meanders through charming Karoo towns and stunning beachside resorts. If you want to make a week of it, you can stop at several towns along the way including Oudtshoorn, Wilderness, Nature's Valley, George, Knysna and Plettenberg Bay. Each of these towns would make the perfect holiday destination, but a tour of all of them is possible within a few days.
If you choose to take a trip up the West Coast, make sure you are there in time for the wildflower season. During certain months of the year the hillsides are dotted with stunning flowers of all varieties, and driving along the coast is a thrilling aesthetic experience. Spend some time in stunning resort towns such as Langebaan, Paternoster, Darling and Britannia Bay where you can experience some of the best fishing and wine estates in the Western Cape.
The Western Cape is of course famous for the wine produced in this region, which parallels some of the finest French varieties in terms of quality and character. Spend a day touring the wine estates in the Stellenbosh and Franchoek regions, where almost every estate offers exclusive wine tasting days and delightful restaurants. One of the most famous of these is the Spier Wine Estate, which offers itself as a center of culture, art, food and wine in the Western Cape.
If you are a nature enthusiast, there are plenty of places that offer stunning walks at any difficulty level. Amateur walkers can take a stroll through the beautiful Kirstenbosh Gardens, but for those who want to experience Western Cape nature at its finest the Otter Trail has more to offer than any other trail. This five day hike crosses a wide variety of terrains and ends up in the stunning Nature's Valley, a premier Garden Route destination.
If you are planning a trip to the Western Cape, be sure to set out your itinerary carefully or you could end up without a direction to follow. Decide whether you want to experience scenery, culture, excitement or night life and plan your trip accordingly. Don't be concerned with missing out though, because anywhere you go you will have the time of your life.
The Cape South Africa
If you are looking for the perfect outdoor adventure, the Western Cape of South Africa is the greatest place to go on Earth. The unending landscape here is beautifully rugged, and the activities are extremely intense. The Western Cape of South Africa has it all: majestic mountains, two oceans, national parks, beaches that go all the way around the Western Cape, and historical sites where the world was changed forever. If you are a world traveler and love the challenge of conquering international terrain, make sure to pack plenty of energy, because a vacation in the Western Cape of South Africa is absolutely extreme.
The first place most travelers want to go to when they visit the Western Cape of South Africa is the beach. The unique aspect of the Western Cape is that it has two oceans. The Indian Ocean is the warmer of the two and best for swimming and sunbathing. However, Haut Bay, on the Atlantic side has incredible surf; and is home to the international Red Bull surfing competition. There is also hiking on the rugged coast and sunbathing on some of the most exclusive beaches in the world.
You can't go to the Western Cape of South Africa without doing some whale watching. This pastime is highly pursued on the Atlantic Seaboard where whales go for shelter to mate and calve. This is a place where whale enthusiasts can watch Southern Right Whales, Bryde's Whales, and the Humpback Whales that come here every year.
The Western Cape of South Africa is also the home of Table Mountain, whose massive peak rises 3,300 feet above Cape Town. Hiking fanatics can climb the trails all the way to the top, where they can experience breathtaking views of Cape Town and both oceans, along with the clouds that surround the summit.
If you need a breather after climbing Table Mountain on the West Cape of South Africa, the Garden Route has easy walking and beautiful scenery. Running parallel to the Atlantic Ocean, the Garden Route is a series of trails full of trees and flower gardens with explorable caves nearby.
Another favorite outdoor activity for tourists is the Wine Route, which is a little further inland from the coast. The wine business in the Western Cape of South Africa is booming, and there is no better way to experience it than to tour the historic wine estates in the valley.
On the Western Cape of South Africa, even shopping is extreme. Many shoppers can't wait to go to the 'Diamond Works', one of the best places in the world to shop for exquisite diamond jewelry. There are hundreds of other unique shops throughout the cobble stone streets of Cape Town, including the famous Victor and Albert Waterfront; which has a variety of eateries, pubs, movie theaters, and aquariums.
The Western Cape of South Africa is easier to get to than you might think. There are direct international flights that go right into Cape Town, and once you get there the accommodations are world class. Clearly, for the outdoor enthusiast, the Western Cape of South Africa has it all.
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