WESTERN CAPE COUNTRY ROUTES  to a1 kynaston links to b&bs

First of all you need a car

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Suggestions ,B&Bs  on route  Cape Town is the base from where most holidays in South Africa start and end.

We suggest that you spend a couple of days in the Cape, exploring.

The country routes we suggest, all link into one another and will, depending on personal taste, take you on a round trip through all the unexplored corners of the Western Cape Province.

The descriptions of what to see and do are by no means complete and we suggest that you also consult other guidebooks for more detailed advice.

DETAILS OF ALL CAPE TOWN TOURISM VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRES

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CITY CENTRE

Pinnacle Building, Cnr Burg & Castle Streets.
t: +27 (0)21 487 6800 • f: +27 (0)21 487 6859
central@capetown.travel

CAPE TOWN INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE

Convention Square, 1 Lower Long Street
t: +27 (0)21 410 5192

V&A WATERFRONT

V&A Waterfront
t: +27 (0)21 408 7600 info@waterfront.co.za

Cape Town Waterfront

The Cape Town Waterfront is officially known as the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, or the V&A Waterfront. Situated between Table Mountain & Robben Island in the heart of a working harbour, the V&A is Africa's most visited destination; it is home to waterfront walkways, refurbished historical buildings, museums, boat trips, craft markets, shops, hotels, bars, cinemas, upmarket craft markets and the Two Oceans Aquarium.

There are a number of restaurants with superb views of the harbour. Tours to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned, depart daily from the Waterfront.

History of the V&A Waterfront, Cape Town

Cape Town's breakwater was built in 1860 (with Prince Alfred tipping the first load of stones). After a while that basin became too small and the Victoria Basin was built. By the mid-1900s the Victoria and Alfred basins were unable to cope with large container ships and they fell into a state of disrepair.

In 1988 work began on the restoring of the Waterfront. The Waterfront remains a working harbour for small vessels and fishing boats, but it's is primarily a shopping, eating and entertainment venue.

Old buildings which have been restored include:

TABLE MOUNTAIN LOWER CABLEWAY

Lower Cableway Station
370 Tafelberg Road
t: +27 (0)21 422 1075 • f: +27 (0)21 422 1075
tablemountain@capetown.travel

Table Mountain

At the top of Table Mountain one can see breathtaking panoramic views of the Cape.  The mountain is composed of sandstone.  Its highest point is Maclear's Beacon,which is 1086m above sea level.  The flat summit stretches 3km from end to end.

Table-top

The cable-way provides quick (about 6 minutes travel) safe travel to the summit.  Alternatively, there are about 350 different hiking trails to the summit. There is a restaurant at the top, as well as some outstanding viewing points (not for those who suffer from vertigo!).

Cape Point

Cape Point is the southwestern most point of Africa (not the southern tip of Africa, this is at Cape Aghulhas).  Cape Point lies in the section of the park called "Cape of Good Hope", so named by John II of Portugal (Bartholomeu Dias had originally named it the "Cape of Storms"). With average wind speeds of 35km/h, Cape Point is the most wind-exposed place in all of Africa.

Table Mountain is now officially one of the new 7 wonders of the World! What makes it unique amongst the Seven Wonders is that it is in the heart of the city. The others are a distance away from main centres. The Cableway has provided countless visitors with an unforgettable experience, taking them to the top of Table Mountain in Cape Town It becomes a "must see" for travellers and explorers. South Africa will gain additional international tourists each year due to the increased exposure of Table Mountain as a new seven wonder of the World.

A highlight of the Cape of Good Hope is seeing the view from the lighthouse .

Cape Point's historic lighthouse lies 249m above sea level.  It had a white flashing light of 2000 candlepower which could be seen 67km out to sea.  Unfortuanately the lighthouse was often covered by mist and cloud, and so proved to be ineffective.  The Portuguese liner "Lusitania" was wrecked at the Cape in 1911, after which it was decided to erect the present lighthouse on Dias Point (below), 87m above sea level.

Around 1860 cottages were built near the lighthouse.  These cottages provided free accommodation for visitors to the lighthouse.  One of the cottages served as a dining room, and the other as a sleeping room, with both being fully equipped.  Lighthouse-keepers & their families often felt lonely & isolated, and the provision of the cottages encouraged visitors.  From 1977 the cottages were used by the CSIR as a laboratory for atmospheric research.  In 1984, the laboratory was extended and became part of the World Meteorological Organisation's Global Atmosphere Watch Network.

• cape town safaris

• Aquila Game Reserve is Cape Town's closest private Game Reserve which involves a drive on the N1 national road, through the Hex River Valley. There is a morning game drive in an open-air landrover, where you may see rhino, lion, giraffe, zebra, black wildebeest, klipspringer, duiker, greybuck, ostrich, and baboons. There are visits to several bushman rock art sites dating back thousands of years. We strongly recommend the unique opportunity for viewing game on a horse safari. 

• The Inverdoorn Game Reserve is situated in the Ceres part of the Karoo, a 2.5 hours drive from Cape Town. Stay at one of the chalets and explore Inverdoorn's 10,000 hectares on safari drives, where you may see white rhinos, giraffe, lions, cheetahs, blue wildebeest, springbok, kudu, lechwe, nyala, oryx, zebra, sable antelope and 165 species of birds.

• At Kagga Kamma you can stay at the Bushman Lodge or the Outcrop Open-Air Camp. It was once home to Bushmen, and some of their cave paintings are visible on the rocks (some dating back 6,000 years). Kagaa Kama offers majestic mountains, strange rock formations and phenomenal night skies.

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MUIZENBERG

The Pavilion, Beach Road
t: +27 (0)21 787 9140  f: +27 (0)21 787 9150
muizenberg@capetown.travel

HOUT BAY

4 Andrews Road
t: +27 (0)21 791 8380 f: +27 (0)21 791 8399
houtbay@capetown.travel

GUGULETHU

Sivuyile Campus Cnr NY1 & NY4 Guguletu
t: +27 (0)21 637 8449 • f: +27 (0)21 637 8449
gugulethu@capetown.travel

KIRSTENBOSCH

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
t: +27 (0)21 762 0687 • f: +27(0)21 761 4223
kirstenbosch@capetown.travel

SIMON’S TOWN

111 St Georges Street
t: +27 (0)21 786 8440 f: +27 (0)21 786 8459
simonstown@capetown.travel

WILLOWBRIDGE

39 Carl Cronjè Road, Tygervalley, Bellville
t: +27 (0)21 915 4080   f: +27 (0)21 915 4099
willowbridge@capetown.travel

BLAAUWBERG

1 Marine Drive, Table View
t: +27 (0)21 521 1080  f: +27 (0)21 521 1099
blaauwberg@capetown.travel

LANGA

Guga S’Thebe Cultural Centre,Cnr Washington and Church Streets
t: +27 (0)21 695 5098 f: +27 (0)21 695 4981
langa@capetown.travel

CANAL WALK

Entrance 2, Canal Walk Shopping Centre,
Century City Boulevard, Century City
t: +27 (0)21 529 9799  f: +27 (0)21 555 4666
visitorinfo@canalwalk.co.za

CAPE TOWN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

t: +27 (0)21 934 1949 airport@capetown.travel

SOMERSET WEST

Southey’s Vines, 186 Main Road
t: +27 (0)21 840 1400 be f: +27 (0)21 840 1410
somersetwest@capetown.travel

STRAND

Beach Road,
t: +27 (0)21 853 1688  f: +27 (0)21 853 1688
strand@capetown.travel

KHAYELITSHA

Look Out Hill, Cnr Mew Way & Spine Road
c: +27 (0)21 361 1101 khayelitsha@capetown.travel

CAPE PENINSULA ROUTE (± 250 Km / 155 Mile, round trip CT to CT)

Cape Town - Camps Bay - Hout Bay - Constantia - Muizenberg - Simonstown - Cape Point - Scarborough - Kommetjie - Fish Hoek - Ou Kaapse Weg - Kirstenbosch - Cape Town

Start the day with a ride around the playgrounds of the rich and famous in Clifton and Camps Bay and continue along Victoria Drive to Hout Bay - overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the road makes for one of the most magnificent drives in the world. End the day with views across the Atlantic Ocean or experience the serenity of Cape Town’s private game reserve in the Durbanville Hills wine lands.

OVERNIGHT:

Mountain Manor Guest House

THINGS TO DO AND SEE:

Visit the unique Gold of Africa Museum in the city, Castle Good Hope, Constantia Wine Estate, Seal island cruise, Cape Point, Penguin Colony at Boulders, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, and Culinary and gourmet tours.

FOUR PASSES ROUTE (± 162 Km / 100 Mile, round trip CT to CT)

Cape Town - Somerset West - Sir Lowry’s Pass - Houwhoek Pass - Franschhoek Pass - Helshoogte Pass - Stellenbosch.

Depart the Mother City on a full day’s scenic adventure along the ‘Four Passes Route’. Leave Cape Town on the N2 to Elgin and Grabouw in the heart of the apple industry and then cross back over the highlight of the day - the Franschhoek Pass - into the wine lands. Franschhoek is a unique ‘French’ town named after the French Huguenot’s who were settled in this valley by the Dutch in 1688. Stellenbosch, the second oldest town in the country is settled in the heart of the wine lands and is renowned for its Cape Dutch architecture, water furrows along oak-lined streets and its university.

OVERNIGHT:

Stellenbosch - Eendracht Boutique Hotel (***)

Stellenbosch lodge   http://www.stellenlodge.co.za/index.html

Slellenbosch apartment       http://www.wheretostay.co.za/stellenboschapartment/

One of my favourite places , prices reasonable   THE CROFTERS

 http://www.crofters.co.za

Tel: (021) 887 2237Fax: (021) 887 5808
15 Thibault Street , Stellenbosch, South Africa
Email: info@crofters.co.za

PO Box 12152, Die Boord, Stellenbosch, 7613, South Africa

Fijnbosch cabins           http://www.capestay.co.za/fijnboschcabins

THINGS TO DO AND SEE:

Farm visits, Huguenot Monument, Wine tasting, Van Rhyn Brandy Cellar, Stellenbosch Village Museum.

HISTORICAL ROUTE 62 – South Africa’s equivalent of America’s "Route 66", linking small farming communities with two harbour towns, Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. The most scenic route for 2010 soccer tourists traveling between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth.

Cape Town – Paarl - Wellington - Bainskloof Pass – Tulbagh - Worcester - Robertson - Montagu - Barrydale - Ladismith - Huisrivier Pass - Calitzdorp - Oudtshoorn - De Rust - Misgund - Joubertina - Kareedouw - Jeffrey's Bay - Port Elizabeth

Cape Town is the most visited tourist destination in South Africa, with the Garden Route the 3rd after the Kruger National Park. Route 62 is the historic route, which links Cape Town and the Garden Route passing through 14 village that stood still in time.

One has the option of starting the trip via the West Coast and Cederberg Routes as described hereafter, OR start your cross-country journey via Paarl, Wellington and the old Bainskloof Pass to Worcester along the famous and historic Route 62.

Paarl, so called because of the huge granite outcrop on the mountain, outside the town, which gleams like a pearl under certain light conditions. This lovely wine-route town is one of the three oldest settlements in the country. A treasure house of architecture is found in the Main Street. Staring at the "Strooidakkerk" (thatched roof church) with the Zeederberg Square next to it, this is surrounded by Cape Dutch, Victorian and Georgian houses.

Take a conducted tour of the massive KWV cellar. Visit the impressive "Taalmonument" (language monument), dedicated to the Afrikaans language.

Wellington, also called Wagenmakers Vallei, is reached by following the R44. So called because a wagon building industry sprang up here when diamonds were discovered in the Kimberley area. A tour pamphlet from the Info Office will help you to explore this charming village on foot.

Tulbagh can be reached via the Bainskloof Pass, a national monument along its entire length or by driving around the mountain through the Nieukloof Pass. Tulbagh, a historic town with a wealth of Cape Dutch architecture was extensively damaged in the 1969 earthquake and has since been restored to its old world splendour. It has the largest concentration of un-interrupted national monuments in South Africa. A walk down historical Church Street with its many museums and antique shops as well as arts and crafts is not to be missed.

Visit the KWV Brandy Cellar at Worcester, largest of its kind in the world, for a cellar tour and brandy tasting. Taste wine at one of the many wine cellars along the fertile Breede River valley.

Montagu, the heart of Route 62, is famous for its heritage in brandy making, wine, fruit, mountains and the natural hot springs. Cogmans Kloof is the natural gateway into Montagu and a National Monument over its entire length. This area is an area of magnificent views, panoramic landscapes, towering cliffs, crystal-clear streams and an abundance of trees and indigenous flora.

The Langeberg Mountain range along the eastern part of the historic Route 62 forms a natural barrier between the fertile Breede River valley and the sunburned rock garden of the Little Karoo and Oudtshoorn, the capital of the Ostrich feather industry. Fertile valleys are linked to the Garden Route and the Eden Coastal Route on the one side and the Groot Karoo on the other side by rugged, beautiful mountain passes such as the spectacular old "Seweweekspoort Pass", Schoemanspoort or the shorter Tradouws Pass back to Swellendam and Mossel Bay.

En-route to Oudtshoorn you will pass through the towns of Barrydale, Ladismith and Calitzdorp. Each of these towns has it's own uniqueness. Ronnie's Sex Shop near Barrydale is probably the most famous and worth a stop. Calitzdorp is also known as the port wine capital of the route.

From Oudtshoorn, continue on Route 62 with the Kammanassie Mountains and the Kouga Mountain ranges flanking the long fertile valley called ‘Langkloof’, one of South Africa’s oldest farming communities. This eventually narrows down to a small valley in the shadow of the Tsitsikamma Mountains as you make your way back to the N2 Highway, near Humansdorp and Jeffreys Bay and on to Port Elizabeth.

Port Elizabeth - Zuurberg – Greater Addo National Park

Port Elizabeth is a harbour city known as the "Friendly City" and has a strong colonial history dating back to the 1820 British Settlers. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore the area around Port Elizabeth or relax in the bracing mountain air of the Zuurberg with game drives into Addo Elephant Park and a variety of wilderness experiences.

OVERNIGHT:

Wellington

- Diemersfontein Wine & Country Estate

Montagu

- Montagu Country Hotel (***)

- Airlies (****).

Calitzdorp

- Die Dorpshuis

- Rietfontein Ostrich Palace

- The Retreat at Groenfontein

Oudtshoorn

- Yotclub B&B (***)

- Le Roux's Guest House  e-mail: lerouxs@lantic.net

- Oakdene Guest House (****) e-mail: oakdene@mweb.co.za

- Swartberger Lodge    e-mail : swartberger@worldonline.co.za

Jeffrey's Bay

- A1KYNASTON B&B /A1 BAY VIEW (*** and AA Awards finalist in 1998 AND 1999)

Port Elizabeth

- The Beach Hotel (****)

THINGS TO SEE AND DO ON ROUTE 62:

Visit the ‘Kleinplasie Living Open Air Museum’, the KWV Brandy Distillery, wine tasting, visit the Brandy Exhibition at the Montagu Museum, ‘Big 5’ game drives.

Ronnie’s "Sex Shop" (near Barrydale), Cango Caves, Cango Ostrich farms, Cheetah Ranch, Cango Wildlife Ranch visit the Barrydale Wine Cellar and the Boplaas Estate for port, wine and brandy tasting in Calitzdorp and at nearby private distilleries: Grundhiem, Kango Co-Operative and Mons Ruber.

‘Big 5’ Game viewing, golf, casino, aquarium, beaches, Addo Elephant Park.

WEST COAST ROUTE (the alternative to an immediate start of the Route 62)

Cape Town – Langebaan - Saldanha – Vredenburg – Moorreesburg – Riebeeck Wes – Hermon – Route 62

Drive from Cape Town to the West Coast towns of Langebaan and Saldanha, well-known fishing towns on the drier cold Atlantic coast. You’ll have time to visit the West Coast National Park an important wetlands area before journeying via Moorreesburg, Riebeeck Wes and Hermon onto Route 62.

OVERNIGHT:

Saldanha/Vredenburg

- Jacobsbaai Guesthouse

- Oranjevlei Guest Farm

Darling

 - Trinity Guest Lodge

THINGS TO DO AND SEE:

Golf, wine tasting, West Coast National Park, Fossil Park, Beach Restaurants.

CEDERBERG ROUTE (continuing on an alternative before joining Route 62)

Lamberts Bay – Clanwilliam – Citrusdal – Route 62

An alternative for tourists with more time is to drive from Vredenburg (on the West Coast Route) to Lamberts Bay (partially gravel road), from there to Clanwilliam and Citrusdal, which is in the heart of the Cederberg Route. One then links onto the Route 62 via Ceres (partially gravel road) and the R318 to rejoin the Route 62 at Montagu.

SWARTBERG PASS ROUTE 

Oudtshoorn – Swartberg Pass – Prince Albert – Klaarstroom – Meiringspoort – De Rust – Oudtshoorn

From Oudtshoorn, drive over the spectacular Swartberg Pass to the village of Prince Albert. Then drive to Klaarstroom and return to Oudtshoorn via Meiringspoort, another one of natures wonders, and the little town of De Rust.

If you want to experience the vastness of the Great Karoo, drive from Prince Albert along the N1, to Beaufort West and then down to Oudtshoorn via Meiringspoort. Beaufort West has the Chris Barnard museum and fossils from pre historic times can be seen in the Karoo National Park.

GARDEN ROUTE 

Plettenberg Bay - Knysna - Wilderness lakes - George

Drive along the most spectacular stretches of the Garden Route, the Eden of South Africa. The lush vegetation of the Garden Route is in spectacular contrast to the arid beauty of the Klein Karoo. A rugged coastline, indigenous forests, waterfalls and long beaches of white sand are found all along the route. The world’s highest bungee jump (216 metres) is situated at the Bloukrans Bridge near the Tsitsikamma Forest and Coastal National Park. Visit the Dolphin Research Station and the Knysna Elephant Park. Knysna is a quaint seaside village on a lagoon known for the yellowwood forest, fresh-water oysters and art & crafts. You will need a full day at leisure to relax or explore the area around Knysna, "The Heart of the Garden Route".

Traveling west pass through the Wilderness lakes - a favorite nature spot for sailing and fishing - to Mossel Bay.

OVERNIGHT:

Knysna

 HTTP://www.forget-me-not.co.Za

 Forget-Me-Not home of Mary and Derk Wolmington. Aptly named, this B&B is a memorable experience of comfort and friendliness in well-appointed self-catering accommodation.

 such lovely people

http://www.panorama-lodge.com

http://www.paradisefound.co.za

 http://www.restawhile.co.za     

 - Bridgewater B&B

- Heron's Gasthof Guest House

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Lavender Hill Guest House
22 Wilson Street
Hunters Home
Knysna

Tel: +27 (0)44 384 0471
Fax: +27 (0)44 384 0473
Cell: 083 299 1906
Email: lavenderhill@xsinet.co.za

http://www.lavenderhillgh.co.za

Wilderness

- Mont Fleur

http://www.brunis.co.za  THIS IS SUCH A WONDERFUL PLACE ,Bruni, the owner of Bruni's Bed & Breakfast in Wilderness, and your friendly hostess,WE HAVE BEEN IN BUSINESS FOR MANY YEARS .

George

- Tantivvey Guest Farm

THINGS TO DO AND SEE:

Monkey Land primate sanctuary, lagoon cruise, Knysna Quays & Waterfront, Featherbed Nature Reserve, Dolphin & Whale Research Station. Knysna market, Knysna Oyster Farm, Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe steam train, Knysna Elephant Park, The Old Fort, NSRI Aquarium, Knysna Forest

 EDEN COASTAL ROUTE

Mossel Bay - Swellendam - Cape Agulhas (southern tip of Africa)

Mossel Bay, where Portuguese explorer Bartholomew Dias first met with the indigenous Khoi-San people in 1488 at the start of the Eden Coast known for its many beaches, shipwrecks, sharks and whales and for Botlierskop Wilderness Reserve.

From here you travel inland to the one-time rebellious colony town of Swellendam. Heading south, make for the southernmost tip of Africa, Cape Agulhas. Lunch at the 19th Century lighthouse. The coastline in this area is infamous for the numerous sailors’ lives it has claimed. A museum in Bredasdorp commemorates the many ships that fell foul of the turbulent currents and razor sharp rocks. Arrive in Stanford at day’s end, with the possibility of seeing whales or sharks as the sun slips over the horizon.

OVERNIGHT:

Mossel Bay

- Huijs te Marquette (***)

- Highview Lodge (****)

Albertinia

- Garden Route Game Lodge

Swellendam

- Jan Harmsgat Country House

THINGS TO DO AND SEE:

Post Office Tree (a massive milk wood tree over 500 years old), Dias Maritime Museum, seal island cruise, Khoi-San cave at Cape St. Blaize

Whale watching, Birkenhead Brewery, Elim Moravian Mission,

Shipwreck Museum (the only one in S. Africa)

WHALE ROUTE

Stanford - Hermanus - Betty’s Bay - Kleinmond - Gordon’s Bay - Cape Town

For the adventurous, an optional shark diving experience in the morning. Then a ride through one of the World’s richest floral kingdoms - the small Kleinmond region alone is home to more species of flora that the whole of Western Europe! Ride into Cape Town via Betty’s Bay and Gordons Bay, hugging the False Bay coast. The glorious sight of Table Mountain greets you from a distance as you approach Cape Town.

OVERNIGHT:

Hermanus 

- Mitchell Street Village GH

Betty's Bay

- Buçaco Sud

THINGS TO DO AND SEE:

White Shark Diving, Sunset cruise on the river, whale watching, wine tasting

Let’s face it – once you have travelled past Houhoek on the N2 east in the southern Cape, there’s a tedious stretch of nothing until you get to Mossel Bay and the start of the Garden Route.  If you want to see anything special, you will have to take a detour.  Which is not a bad thing.  Just to the left of the N2, on the roads known variously as the R321, R406 and R43, are a number of valleys containing some of the most beautiful farming country known to man.  Just imagine plump hills, flowering orchards, olive groves, shimmering dams, little farm stalls and meandering lanes.  A secret garden, indeed.   The Theewaterskloof Municipality has decided that all this beauty is wasted on the locals - who see it every day anyway - and have launched a tourism initiative to persuade travellers on the N2 to take a slower route and spend a while in the Elgin Valley.  It’s called the Theewaterskloof Cape Country Meander, centred around the Theewaterskoof Dam (which by the way, gets its name from the colour of the water).   Apart from the obviously beguiling mountains, farmsteads, vineyards, lakes and country lanes, this region is also home to South Africa’s apples.  And the story of our an-apple-a-day-keeps-the-doctor-away industry which was established, interestingly enough, by a doctor, is a tale worth telling.   It started with a railway. Even the earliest settlers had recognised the agricultural potential of the Elgin region, so the Cape government built first a wagon trail and then, in the 1890s, a railway to haul the riches that were sure to come out of the valley. One of the local farmers was a Doctor Viljoen, a medical man who swopped patients for potatoes, and started experimenting with different crops. During the Boer War he went off to fight for the Afrikaners, was captured by the British but was then released on parole and allowed to go back to his farm after he agreed to pay the salaries of his two guards – ‘a unique way of being a prisoner-of-war!’, as TV Bulpin says in his travel book Discovering Southern Africa.   Viljoen decided, after a chat with the Cape Minister of Agriculture in 1902, to try apples.  It was the beginning of an industry that would change the fortunes of the Cape forever.   He bought 24 apple trees from the famous Pickstone nursery, planted them on his farm Oak Valley, and awaited events.  Ten years later the first fruit was ready to be picked.  Viljoen organised a gala day of neighbours, family and friends and pronounced the apple harvest to be first class.   Viljoen and his son-in-law George Rawbone – a well-known forestry officer from the Cape - decided to farm apples on a large scale.  The outbreak of World War 1 slowed expansion, and unfortunately Viljoen, who was knighted in 1916, did not live to see his first large-scale crop.  But the apple industry was on its way.   There were lots of hiccups at first, of course.  Viljoen’s neighbour, a Miss Murray, sent her first 25 boxes of apples to the Johannesburg market and sold them at R2 a box.  But the market agent complained that the apples had been so battered during shipping ‘that it was hardly possible to find one good bite between the bruises.’   By 1923 a group of farmers had decided to pool resources and expertise and create a co-operative, and by 1931 the Elgin Fruit Company was formed.  Technology and science improved crop yields immeasurably, and then an immigrant Italian farmer had a great idea.  Edmundo Lombardi adopted the ancient Italian practice of palmette, where apple trees are planted close together, their branches grafted onto each other, and a continual wall of vegetation is produced.  Production quadrupled.   A problem now arose because there were just too many of them little apples.  What to do with surplus, low grade or untransportable fruit?  Once again the industrious Italian came up with an answer.   Together with a Professor Luthi of the Department of Agriculture in Switzerland, Lombardi developed an apple juice that could be pressed, bottled and shipped without additives and preservatives, and in 1966 the world discovered Appletiser.  The Elgin Valley is home to the Appletiser factory, which now supplements the apple juice with grape, pear and other juices, still using the same world-famous techniques.   Twenty years ago when you bought apples they were either Golden Delicious, Starking, Granny Smith or Ohinimuri (we used to call them Oh Henry Murrays).  Nowadays there is a bewildering array of types all year round and from all over the world.   Other towns on the route include historic staging post Botriver, Caledon with its hot springs, South Africa’s oldest mission station at Genadendal (a Moravian mission dating back to 1738), Greyton with its thatched cottages and homestays.  But mainly, it’s about the apples.   So after you pass Houhoek Inn, with its giant eucalyptus tree, its legends and its ghosts, take a left to the Theewaterskloof Cape Country Meander.  It’s a turn for the better.