A self-catering holiday in South Africa is a lot of fun. When the Northern hemisphere is shivering under a blanket of snow, South African holidaymakers are busy tanning on white sandy beaches. South Africa is also an extremely affordable tourist destination and maybe the only one where you can get first world conveniences at prices more comparable to that of third world countries.
Self-catering holidays are very enjoyable and affordable options when you visit South Africa. The country has numerous top quality resorts where there’s fully fitted chalets for rent a prices that you will never find in the Western World. Our family recently rented chalet near the resort town of Hermanus in the Southern Cape which even had the latest model delonghi oven in the modern kitchen!
There are a number of car rental agencies at Cape Town International airport. You will need a credit card to rent a car from virtually all of them. Check the car with the attendant before the time – you don’t want to end up with being charged for scratches or bumps that wasn’t caused by you.
If you’re traveling with a baby, try to get a car that’s fitted with a britax car seat. This will not only ensure baby’s comfort, but also his safety. The additional cost of this is minimal compared to the advantages to be gained from having it.
Then head out with the N2 over Sir Lowry’s Pass to the Overberg region. From the top of the pass you will have lovely views of False Bay and the Cape Peninsula lying at your feet. Once you have crossed the mountain, you will be entering the rolling hills of the Overberg – a corn and fruit producing region with a number of small towns like Grabouw and Caledon.
After more or less an hour’s drive you will enter the lovely seaside town of Hermanus. There’s a couple of good quality self-catering resorts in and around town. Once you’ve found a nice place to stay, it’s time to start exploring the vicinity. In and around the town center are a large number of restaurants, many with beautiful sea views. There’s a flea market as well, where you can purchase all kinds of local crafts and arts. Watch out for the hawkers selling watches – my son bought a men’s sport watch there last time and it only lasted three days!
All in all you will have a wonderful time in the Hermanus area. The scenery is magnificent, the people are friendly and there are numerous restaurants where you can eat local and international dishes. You can also go on boat trips and visit the small towns in the area.
Tags: cape town, Hermanus, holidays, Sir Lowry's Pass, South Africa, Strand and Gordon's Bay, traveling
