Now that the excitement of the World Cup has died down, locals should take advantage of this brief lull and experience all that their beautiful and diverse region has to offer. From the Winelands and the West Coast to Simonstown and the Overberg, there are a myriad of attractions and activities which require no more than a short, scenic drive.
The Cape Winelands is one of the most visited regions in the South Africa and includes the towns of Wellington, Stellenbosch, Franschoek, Paarl and Robertson. It is the largest wine producing region in South Africa and each area offers its own unique wine route.
With its abundance of fresh organic ingredients, the region is also known by many as the culinary capital of South Africa, particularly the picturesque town of Franschoek which is home to some of the country’s best restaurants and bistros. The area also offers a myriad leisure, sport and adventure activities, including trail hiking, walking, cycling, horse-riding and fly fishing, as well as several world-class golf courses.
The R27, also known as the West Coast Road, takes you all the way from Cape Town to Velddrift along the sparsely populated West Coast. En route, you can stop off at the popular Langebaan Lagoon and West Coast National Park or continue to Paternoster and St Helena Bay on the coast. The wetlands of Velorenvlei and Rochepan, are a virtual birds’ paradise and a must for nature lovers and Bird Island off Lamberts Bay harbour is also worth a visit.
Boulders beach in Simonstown is ideal for kids as immense boulders shelter the cove from currents, wind and large waves. You’ll also get to spend the day in close proximity to the distinctive black and white African penguins strolling along the sand as well as in the streets around the beach. But for a truly memorable view of these endemic birds, take to the boardwalks that lead you over the dunes and vegetation and thread their way through the noisy, bustling colony of birds.
Established in 1913, Kirstenbosch is proclaimed as one of the great botanic gardens in the world and, set against the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, few gardens can match the sheer grandeur of its spectacular setting. Kirstenbosch displays a wide variety of the unique plant life of the Cape Flora, as well as plants from all the diverse regions of southern Africa, both outdoors and in the Botanical Society Conservatory. In fact, there are currently over 7000 species in cultivation at Kirstenbosch, including many rare and threatened species.
With so much on offer, there are a million reasons not to spend another weekend in front of the TV – pack the kids and a picnic basket into the car and explore your city – chances are, you’ll be blown away!
