Celebrated for its rugged coastline, wild Atlantic waves and extraordinary landscape of local heathland known as fynbos, the Garden Route is among South Africa’s most spectacular regions. Stretching some 125 miles between Mossel Bay and Storms River, connected by the N2 highway, this a road-tripper’s delight where glorious seafood, once-in-a-lifetime whale spotting and diverse wildlife abound. It’s the perfect add-on to cool and edgy Cape Town. Alongside its swathes of sandy beach, the stunning Knysna Lagoon and intriguing cliffs such as The Heads, there’s plenty to explore in its charming seaside towns, home to farmer’s markets, world-class oyster festivals, fascinating galleries and museums. Around 40 miles inland, via the UNESCO-listed Swartberg Pass, you’ll find the semi-desert town of Oudtshoorn – the so-called ‘ostrich capital of the world’ – where straight-from-the-braai ostrich steak is a local speciality. The Garden Route is also a hiker’s delight, with the fabled Otter Trail, ancient forests and waterfalls just waiting to be explored.