Areas
Even if you’re convinced of your ideal location, a little exploring of the various areas may open up other possibilities. Whether you’re planning a full itinerary or selecting a villa in one location, these area guides will offer more information on all our current destinations.
Cape Town
Fondly known as The Mother City, Cape Town is recognised as the world's top city by The Telegraph in 2023 and one of the world’s top cities by Travel + Leisure, CNN Travel, and Condé Nast Traveler, amongst others. Famous for sandy white beaches, exceptional cuisine and wine, design influencers, cultural abundance, and the breath-taking natural wonder of Table Mountain, Cape Town is one of the hottest destinations in the world today with an experience to suit every palate.
The Overberg
The beautiful collection of contrasting towns making up the Overberg region is found literally “over the mountain” from Cape Town. Surrounded by mountains and sea, here you will find rolling fields of wheat and canola, majestic mountains, endless ocean vistas, and so much to explore.
The Overberg lies along the Western Cape’s south coast with the Hottentots-Holland and Riviersonderend mountains forming the western and northern boundaries. The eastern boundary is the Breede River where the Overberg segues seamlessly into the picturesque Garden Route.
Forego the scenic mountain route from Cape Town to the Overberg over Sir Lowry's Pass and take a right through Gordon's Bay before the pass. This leads you to Clarens Drive (known locally as the R44) and the spectacular coastal route along False Bay, billed as one of the most beautiful coastal routes in the entire world. The sheer cliffs rising above the road create an incredible visual of a wall of rock rising above you contrasting with the ocean on the other side. Clarens Drive passes through the floral diversity of the Kogelberg Biosphere reserve.
The major towns of the Overberg are Hermanus, Caledon, Bredasdorp, Grabouw, and Swellendam, but the charming towns of Greyton, Pringle Bay, and Gansbaai are worth exploring as well. The drive down to the De Hoop Nature Reserve results in rewards in the form of superb wildlife, amazing views, towering white sand dunes, and some of the best land-based whale watching.
The Winelands
Considered to be one of the most incredibly beautiful parts of South Africa and, indeed, the world, the winelands are situated on either side of the N1 highway out of Cape Town. Many of the significant towns in the region are less than an hour from Cape Town while others lie a bit further afield and are well worth the drive through breathtaking scenery.
On any trip to the Western Cape it’s hard to choose which section of the Cape Winelands to explore. The traditional winelands borders have extended to such an extent that it’s almost difficult to find any part of the region where wine isn’t produced. Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, and Paarl will, however, always hold pride of place as the core towns of the traditional winelands.
This region is rich in colourful history involving the importing of vines from Europe in 1655 and the first wine being produced with pride in 1659. The pride was short-lived as that wine was deemed unworthy of anything close to a 5 star rating and it took a number of years before the excellent quality of today was achieved. But the hiccupy beginning only seems to make the history that much more interesting and many of the manor houses bear testimony to that at the ripe old age of around 350 years.
Wine tours are plentiful and varied. You can truly find almost any combination you can possibly think of. Food pairing, sustainable farming practices, cycling, horse riding, art, history, romance - all combine well with wine! Meet the winemakers, gain more viticultural knowledge, take a tour around the cellars, or just kick back and savour the taste sensations of the wine in this award-winning region.
Garden Route
Home to some of South Africa’s most iconic coastlines and spectacular flora, the Garden Route is so called for it’s wealth of natural beauty. This world-famed stretch of coastline is a “must-see” part of South Africa. Numerous lagoons and lakes are dotted along the 200km route with dense forests meeting the Cape’s fynbos kingdom to create a unique blend of life. A fairyland of natural wonders, adventure and tranquil relaxation, the Garden Route is a both a journey, and a destination.
Spend time in the towns along the way such as Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, and Wilderness as you explore this exceptional stretch of coast.
The coastal region of the Garden Route provides a stirring study in contrasts. From the lush greenery at the foot of the fertile Outeniqua Mountains to the semi-arid valleys of the Klein Karoo and cooling waters of the Indian Ocean, discover an area teeming with birdlife, natural wonders, and adventure.
This is a nook of the country that inspires writers, chefs, and artists alike, who bring a trendy flavour to the charming towns and villages. The Garden Route seduces the senses and bewitches the imagination. The forests and stretches of scenic roads inspire long, leisurely drives, the lakes and rivers invite swimmers and fisherman, while the meandering trails are explored by hikers and wanderers.
With ample leisure options, spectacular scenery and a mild climate - an unforgettable holiday experience is guaranteed.
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