Western Cape Article - South African Vacations

GARDEN ROUTEGarden Route TourismPO Box 1514, George, 6530Tel: +27 (0) 44 873 6355Fax: +27 (0) 44 884 0688E-mail: info@gardenroute.org.zaWebsite: http://www.capegardenroute.orgThe spectacular scenic beauty of the Garden Route has brought this area to the attention ofthe entire world. Many international visitors visit the area annually and many have also boughthomes here. This is truly a region that caters to a wide variety of tastes.The Garden Route comprises a narrow coastal plateau stretching from Helderberg in theWest to the Storms River in the East. The Langeberg, Outeniqua and Tsitsikamma Mountainsframe it in the north and the lovely beaches run into the Indian Ocean in the south. The regionhas its own unique climate, described as temperate coastal – warm summers and coolwinters with year-round rainfall.The lush tapestry of indigenous forests, lakes, lagoons, waterways and rivers is bordered bya rugged coastline with magnificent beaches washed by the warm waters of the IndianOcean. The area boasts some of the richest variety of vegetation south of the Limpopo Riverand has the largest natural forest complex in South Africa.The appearance of the Garden Route region was shaped over many years by the powerfulforces of nature. Over five million years ago, when the sea level was 200 m higher than itis at present, the waves worked on the bottom plateau and when the level dropped, the resultwas a landscape of sandy beaches, alluvial flat-lands and lakes. As time went by, the riversformed valleys and made them even wider and deeper, sculpting the lagoons and lakes oftoday.The Garden Route is one of the most popular tourist destinations in South Africa. The seasideresorts are surrounded by lush indigenous rainforests and towering mountain peaks. It is oneof the few places in the world where one can travel less than an hour and find oneself in a106