A self-drive Garden Route expedition

Ever heard the phrase, “a world in one country”? Well, Cape Town is a world in one city! Surrounded by craggy mountains, ocean, plenty of lush greenery and rolling countryside, but also a bustling city scene, vivacious cultures and history, you won’t be short of things to do. We recommend starting in the city with a guided tour. Choose your focus from history, food or art (or all three), and discover the spots away from the guidebooks. If a guide isn’t your thing, wander the streets and seek out your own gems. Follow it all up with a connoisseur gin tasting and dinner in an award-winning restaurant and you have Cape Town in a nutshell.

Then there’s the great outdoors. Table Mountain dominates the landscape and with several hiking routes to choose from (guided or un-guided), and the cable car, there’s no excuse for not reaching the top. Other highlights around the city include the Southern Peninsula, home to African penguins, cliff-carved roads, lighthouses and incredible views, and the sun-kissed beaches of the Atlantic Seaboard. And we haven’t even started on the markets, paragliding activities, surfing or shopping yet…

Food and wine are the lifebloods of the Cape Winelands and with hundreds of pristine vineyards and glossy restaurants to choose from, you’ll never (ever) want for something delicious. For true wine aficionados, book a wine tour with a specialised guide who will tailor your trip entirely to your tastebuds and take you to the hidden spots the guidebooks don’t mention. Otherwise, book a table somewhere fabulous and settle in for an afternoon of wine tasting and five-star food – or do a combination of both. Also look out for specialised pairings – wine and chocolate, cheese or biltong are favourites – and Methode Cap Classique tastings, South Africa’s answer to champagne.

For something a little different, Franschhoek’s wine tram is a quirky way to explore a selection of the most iconic wineries, or you may prefer to saddle up – bikes and horses are on offer – and explore at a slower pace. Beyond the grapes, hikers will enjoy the stunning scenery and trails of Mont Rochelle (Franschhoek) and Jonkershoek (Stellenbosch), whilst in Elgin you may ‘zip’ along a series of wires amongst the trees and ‘sip’ wine as you go. Or simply enjoy a meander amongst the cafes, art galleries and boutiques of these little towns – that’s what a holiday is about after all!

A scenic drive away from Cape Town, Hermanus could easily be a day trip from the Mother City, the start of a road trip along the Garden Route, or a destination in itself. On the way, there are a smattering of picturesque pit stops including Gordon’s Bay, Pringle Bay and Betty’s Bay to explore and try your luck at catching a glimpse of a pod of Southern Right Whales. Hermanus and most of the coastline is of course famous for its exceptional land-based whale watching, but you’ll have to be visiting between July and November when they migrate towards Cape Point.

Otherwise, days can easily be spent mulling over a glass of wine from Hemel-en-Aarde Valley (literally meaning Heaven and Earth), your gaze fixed on the water… If you fancy a few thrills, go cage diving with Great White Sharks or hike into the fynbos-scented mountains for stunning views of the surrounds.

The real question is, what can’t you do? Beginning just a few hours outside Cape Town, the Garden Route wends its way from one blissful, beachy spot to the next, punctuated by tiny towns frozen in time, enthralling mountains (and vertigo-inducing passes) and pockets of forest with hiking trails galore. This is the highest tier of South African road trips for locals and tourists alike, and offers the chance to see a little bit of everything that makes the country so fantastic. Most likely a self-driving journey, you’ll be able to take in the sights entirely at your own pace too.

If it’s rugged shores and adventurous hikes you seek, Tsitsikamma is the answer - the infamous Bloukrans Bridge is one of the highest bungee jumps in the world - while the town of Knysna is all about ocean sails, whale and dolphin watching, and dining on fabulous seafood. Then there’s Wilderness, an untouched paradise that does what it says on the tin, Plettenberg Bay and the best beaches in the country, and dusty Oudtshoorn, an outback of caves, curious shops and epic hiking trails.