Mietwagenrundreise "Kap Weinland und die Küste"

About the destination: Cape Town is the second biggest city in South Africa and serves as the capital of the Western Cape Province. It's also the legislative capital of South Africa, housing the parliament, despite the fact that Pretoria is the official capital. Cape Town is nestled at the foot of Table Mountains, encircled by both the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. Cape Town offers everything from stunning mountains and superb beaches to picturesque mountain ranges and enticing wine routes. Take a stroll around Green Market Square or through the squirrel-populated gardens near the SA Cultural History Museum just off the main Adderley Street. The esplanade, shadowed by the City Hall, serves as a platform for political rallies and a market selling everything from food to clothing. The Castle of Good Hope, the oldest colonial building in South Africa, overlooks the esplanade. The Bo Kaap, one of Cape Town's oldest residential areas, is a unique neighborhood with a rich cultural and social history. Pay a visit to Nobel Square and see a tribute to four of South Africa's Nobel Peace Prize laureates. Cape Town boasts some of the best beaches in Africa, all featuring the pristine white sand unique to the Cape. Cape Town is a remarkable place with something for everyone - sun, beaches, friendly locals, African culture, delicious food, excellent wine, and breathtaking scenery. So, what are you waiting for?

About the destination: Boulders Beach is a sheltered beach made up of small inlets between massive granite boulders, which give the beach its name. It is located on the Cape Peninsula near Simon’s Town, on the way to Cape Point, close to Cape Town in South Africa’s Western Cape province. The area is also commonly called Boulders Bay. This beach is a major tourist attraction because of a colony of African penguins that settled there in 1982 and now number around 3,000 birds. These African penguins (Spheniscus demersus) are found only along the coastlines of southern Africa (South Africa and Namibia) and are currently at risk of extinction. Because of this, the colony is protected by Cape Nature Conservation. Despite being surrounded by a residential area, Boulders Beach is one of the few places where visitors can see these vulnerable birds up close, roaming freely in a safeguarded natural habitat. The growth of the colony from just two breeding pairs in 1982 is partly due to reduced commercial pelagic trawling in False Bay, which has boosted populations of pilchards and anchovies—key food sources for the penguins. The landscape here features indigenous coastal vegetation above the high-water mark and the clear waters of False Bay below. The coastline consists of a series of small, sheltered coves framed by granite boulders that are about 540 million years old. While Boulders Beach itself is the most popular spot for recreation and swimming, the best place to view the penguins is Foxy Beach. Newly built boardwalks there allow visitors to get within a few meters of the birds, while keeping both people and penguins safe. Access for swimming is limited to specific areas adjacent to the penguin colony to help protect their habitat. Boulders Beach forms part of Table Mountain National Park.

About the destination: Stellenbosch is a town in the Western Cape province of South Africa, located about 50 kilometers (31 miles) east of Cape Town, along the banks of the Eerste River. It is the second oldest European settlement in the province, after Cape Town. The town became known as the City of Oaks or Eikestad in Afrikaans and Dutch due to the large number of oak trees that were planted by its founder, Simon van der Stel, to grace the streets and homesteads. Stellenbosch has its own municipality (incorporating the neighboring towns of Pniel and Franschhoek), adjoining the metropolitan area of the City of Cape Town. The town is home to Stellenbosch University. Technopark is a modern science park located on the southern side of the town near the Stellenbosch Golf Course.

About the destination: Paarl – An Introduction The scenic beauty of Paarl invites visitors to discover the many cultural and historical attractions of the Drakenstein Valley, along with some of the most abundant nature reserves in the surrounding mountains. Paarl takes its name from the huge granite outcrop that rises proudly on the crest of Paarl Mountain. Founded in 1687, it is the third-oldest settlement in South Africa and boasts a rich cultural and historical heritage. The birth of Afrikaans, the world’s youngest language, is celebrated by the iconic Afrikaans Language Monument, which stands prominently on the southern slopes of Paarl Mountain. The town showcases many fine examples of Georgian, Victorian, Edwardian and Cape Dutch architecture, sharing space with a wide variety of excellent restaurants and coffee shops spread out along its twelve-kilometre-long Main Street. Just outside Paarl lies Drakenstein Prison, where Nelson Mandela spent his final years of imprisonment and from which he completed his “long walk to freedom.” Paarl offers genuine country hospitality, award-winning wine farms and estates, and a wide range of accommodation options to suit both your needs and your budget. The town provides excellent conference facilities and some of the most idyllic wedding venues in the Cape Winelands. Enjoy beautiful fynbos-rich walks and hiking trails, ride along superb mountain-biking routes, or take a leisurely drive through the countryside to soak up the spectacular scenery, followed by a relaxed lunch and fine wines from the region. We look forward to welcoming you to Paarl – the Pearl of the Winelands!

About the destination: Wellington is a town in the Cape Winelands of the Western Cape, about a 45‑minute drive from Cape Town, South Africa, with a population of approximately 62,000. Wellington’s economy is based on agriculture, including wine, table grapes, deciduous fruit, and a well-established brandy industry. The town lies 75 km (47 mi) northeast of Cape Town and is accessible via the N1 motorway and the R44. Due to the growth of the Mbekweni township to the south, Wellington now forms a de facto continuous urban area with Paarl, located just 10 km (6 mi) to the south.

About the destination: Tucked between towering mountains in the stunning Cape winelands is the magnificent Franschhoek Valley. This is the culinary and wine epicenter of the nation, where exceptional wines are cultivated and our top chefs craft international cuisine. Here, awe-inspiring landscapes, warm hospitality, world-class food, and the finest wines all merge to create unforgettable memories. Spectacular vineyards blanket these mountain slopes, settled over 300 years ago by the Huguenots, who introduced their ancient French wine and food culture. This is a valley steeped in history, centered around a charming village of friendly, welcoming locals. The impressive array of visitor accommodations ranges from globally recognized inns and guest houses to self-catering cottages on wine farms and much more. In the village, you'll discover wonderful crafts, art, and antique shops and galleries. The main street is dotted with coffee shops and restaurants. Only 45 minutes from Cape Town, Franschhoek is the perfect base for exploring the entire Cape winelands. Historical and Cultural Heritage Following the revocation of the Edict of Nantes in France in 1685, when Protestantism was banned, hundreds of so-called Huguenots fled their homeland, with 277 of them arriving by ship at the Cape of Good Hope. Many were granted land by the Dutch government in a valley named Oliphantshoek (Elephant’s Corner) – named for the vast herds of elephants that once roamed the area. Shortly after settling here, it became known as Franschhoek (French Corner). This heritage continues today with the Huguenot monument standing proudly at the top of the village. The nearby museum chronicles the history of these brave pioneers, with each of the original Huguenot farms having its own captivating story to share. Wonderful Wines As you drive into Franschhoek, you'll notice that most of the farms still bear their original French names and typically feature a stunning Cape Dutch homestead, towering oaks, and lush vineyards. There are a variety of cellars, from small boutique wineries catering to those seeking something unique, to large cellars offering organized tours and guided tastings. The Gourmet Capital Depending on the year, up to eight of South Africa’s “Top 100” restaurants are in Franschhoek – the country's gourmet capital. Leading chefs create everything from world-class cuisine to light meals using the freshest produce of the valley, complemented by the wonderful local wines. Take your time and enjoy the hospitality, atmosphere, and variety of our many excellent restaurants.

About the destination: Oudtshoorn, known as the "ostrich capital of the world," is a town located in the Western Cape province of South Africa. The town was significantly developed during two ostrich-feather booms, from 1865-1870 and 1900-1914. With a population of approximately 60,000, it is the largest town in the Little Karoo region. The economy of Oudtshoorn primarily depends on ostrich farming and tourism. The town boasts the world's largest ostrich population, with several specialized ostrich breeding farms, including the Safari Show Farm and the Highgate Ostrich Show Farm.

About the destination: Knysna is a beautiful city located 73 kilometers from George Airport. The Garden Route National Park covers 157,000 hectares in this area. Knysna is surrounded by the pristine Knysna estuary, the Indian Ocean, and thousands of hectares of beautiful indigenous forest. Visitors can explore its natural beauty by mountain biking, whale watching, or enjoying its magnificent beaches. Accommodation in the city ranges from municipal living to houseboats, from treetop cabins to luxurious five-star hotels. There is a wide variety to choose from. Some interesting things you can do in Knysna include fishing in the Knysna lagoon, hiking in the mountains to observe wildlife and nature, or taking the Featherbed tour through a nature reserve. It’s the perfect place to relax and enjoy nature.

About the destination: Plettenberg Bay, often referred to as Plet or Plett, is the main town of the Bitou Local Municipality in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. Initially named Bahia Formosa ("beautiful bay") by early Portuguese explorers, it is located on South Africa's Garden Route, 210 km from Port Elizabeth and approximately 600 km from Cape Town.

About the destination: Port Elizabeth is South Africa's fifth largest city and is located on the Indian Ocean coast halfway between Cape Town and Durban. Known as the Friendly City, Port Elizabeth is a major seaport and tourist destination set along the beautiful shores of Nelson Mandela Bay. A popular and significant destination for water sports, Port Elizabeth also offers many historical attractions, such as the Historic Donkin Heritage Trail, which takes visitors along the footsteps of the 1820 settlers. British heritage is reflected in the Port Elizabeth Cricket Club and the oldest bowling green in South Africa. However, Port Elizabeth’s greatest treasures are the malaria-free wildlife areas in its vicinity and the clean beaches washed by warm water.

About the destination: Addo Elephant National Park is a diverse wildlife conservation area near Port Elizabeth, South Africa, and is one of the country’s 19 national parks. It is currently the third largest, after Kruger National Park and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. The original section of the park was established in 1931, partly through the efforts of Sydney Skaife, to create a sanctuary for the eleven remaining elephants in the region. The park has been very successful and now protects more than 600 elephants, along with many other mammal species.

About the destination: Port Alfred is a coastal town in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. It lies on the country’s eastern seaboard at the mouth of the Kowie River, almost exactly halfway between the larger cities of Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) and East London, and about 30 kilometres (19 miles) west of Cannon Rocks.

About the destination: The Eastern Cape’s tourism sector is working to align its Big Five game reserves with popular international destinations such as Cape Town and the Garden Route. The Eastern Cape, still the poorest region of South Africa, has seen massive growth in tourism. Tourism MEC Enoch Godongwana announced last week that the sector generated an impressive R4 billion for the province last year, attributing the success to the government and Eastern Cape Tourism’s international marketing efforts. The success is also linked to strong contributions from the private sector and the health department’s efforts to keep the province free of malaria and bilharzia. Tourism operators say tourism infrastructure in the Eastern Cape has expanded to take advantage of the province’s newfound status as a “happening” international destination. One key area of change has been the rapid consolidation of livestock farms into vast game-viewing reserves, as well as hunting and game-producing farms, giving rise to world-class game reserves.

About the destination: Umtata is the main town of the King Sabata Dalindyebo Local Municipality in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province and the seat of the OR Tambo District Municipality. The town has an airport, formerly known as K. D. Matanzima Airport after the former leader Kaiser Matanzima. The name Mthatha comes from the nearby Mthatha River, which was named after the Sneezewood (umtati) trees, valued for their timber and medicinal properties. The settlement existed in the 1870s as a buffer zone in response to tensions reported between the Pondo and neighboring Thembu groups, and in 1875 a magistrate’s office was established, with J. F. Boyes appointed as the first magistrate that year. The settlement grew over the following years and became a British colonial military post in 1882. The town itself was founded in 1883 along the banks of the Mthatha River.

About the destination: Harding is a town located in the Mzimkulwana River valley, in the Ugu District Municipality of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Harding was established as a military outpost following the British annexation of East Griqualand in 1874. It is named after Sir Walter Harding (c. 1812–1874), who in 1858 became the first Chief Justice of Natal. Harding was declared a township in 1911. Timber and dairy farming are the main economic activities. The now-abandoned 122-kilometre (76-mile) narrow-gauge Alfred County Railway once served the surrounding farming areas, linking Harding with Port Shepstone. Harding lies at the foot of the Ingeli Range, 34 km northwest of Izingolweni and 84 km northwest of Port Shepstone.

About the destination: Port Edward is a small resort town on the south coast of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, right on the border with the Eastern Cape Province. Port Edward is a holiday destination popular with seasonal visitors from more affluent regions of South Africa. The coastline between Port Edward and Port Shepstone to the north is known as the Hibiscus Coast because of its lush subtropical gardens. Tourism in Port Edward is shaped by several peak seasons, the most significant being the Christmas and New Year period, running from early December to mid-January. Silver Beach in Port Edward hosts an annual New Year’s Eve party popular with young people, while on New Year’s Day families fill the beach to continue the celebrations. Another major season coincides with the sardine run, a natural phenomenon that usually occurs from late May to mid-July. Recently, large retail chains such as Boxer Superstores and Shoprite Holdings have shown interest in Port Edward. With a growing local economy, the town appears to have a bright future.

About the destination: Durban is a South African city located in the KwaZulu-Natal province, situated along the Indian Ocean. With a population of 3.5 million, it is the third largest city in the country, following Johannesburg and Cape Town. Durban is often referred to as South Africa's 'playground' due to its year-round warm climate that encourages outdoor activities. It's also known as 'Surf City' for its exceptional bathing and surfing beaches that extend from Durban harbor in the south to the upscale neighborhood of Umhlanga in the north. A wide paved promenade provides access to the best of these beaches – the Golden Mile – where joggers, cyclists, dog walkers, surfers, body boarders and walkers enjoy exercise during the early morning and late afternoon. Attractions include Segway tours, a city-viewing Sky Car and a bungee swing. Durban's culture is a blend of Indian, Zulu and post-colonial influences, which is evident in the city’s architecture and cuisine. Curries, seafood and fusion food are popular at beachfront restaurants, and coffee shops along Florida Road and Helen Joseph Road. Durban is the perfect destination for visitors.