The Garden Route | Port Elizabeth, Stellenbosch, Franschhoek

By Mike

There is some debate where the Garden Route begins and ends and we, wrongly, like to think of it as extending from the mountains just east of Stellenbosch/Franschhoek all the way to near Port Elizabeth: some 700 kilometers depending how you drive it. It is possible to miss a big chunk out and fly to George and take it on from there and many do but travelling from say Hermanus and ending in Port Elizabeth gives a real sense of breadth. On top of that it is possible, in part, to take an alternative route to the coastal highway and travel over the mountains, more inland, on what is a very intriguing journey.

This time we spent twelve nights doing our thing: stayed at nine different properties and visited a further fourteen (some new to us and others a review of those we know well). In deference to all the excellent places we decided not to show just the one and give you a photo of...a flower. It is the Garden Route! But flowers are not all you see on this incredible journey. Massive mountains, sweeping beaches with white capped waves crashing onto golden beaches, impenetrable forests, rivers carving deep ravines as they race to the ocean, beautiful lagoons, the sun, the moon, the stars, fantastic meals, restaurants in stunning locations, golf courses, walking trails, boating to see whales and dolphins. And more. The slower you can go the better: so much to do and a tapestry to suit many different aspirations.

The array of resorts, hotels, lodges and B&Bs is astounding but we now feel we have a very good handle on what is out there and what would suit different tastes. To do the Garden Route justice you have got to get this right and as we say in our website: tying it all together is the art of travel....when to, where to and how to....these elements can make or break a trip.

At the right time of year travelling here is an outstanding experience and you should try it out. Combining with Cape Town is easy and it is also possible to include a stint in the game areas which is where we are going next.