Breede River Valley

The Breede River Valley is one of the Western Cape's greatest secrets. The area is known for its magnificent mountain scenery, thrilling outdoor activities, nature reserves and living museums. It is also the largest fruit and wine producing valley in the Western Cape and South Africa's leading racehorse breeding area.

This area includes the following well-known towns: Worcester, Robertson, Montagu, Ceres, De Doorns and Tulbagh.

Breede River Valley
 
Magnificent views, panoramic landscapes and towering cliffs, crystal-clear streams and the abundance of trees and indigenous flora, all contribute to making the Breede River Valley one of the Western Cape's most diverse regions. The ever-changing colours of the majestic mountains, scenic passes, rivers, vineyards and orchards, as well as the multitude of attractions, offer visitors an unforgettable adventure.

The easily accessible towns, nestled among the valleys, all offer ample opportunity for discovery - from visits to wineries and game reserves, tribal art and cultural tours, museums, hiking trails and mountain climbing, 4x4 routes and canoeing expeditions, fishing, horse riding, even riding the world's largest birds (ostriches). You can also unwind in one of the invigorating hot springs, revel in luxury or relax in rustic tranquillity.

Ceres
Not every town in South Africa has a motto as appropriate as the town of Ceres: Loci Dulcedo Nos Attinet, meaning "the beauty of the place enchants us". The vast fertile basin in which Ceres lies, in one of the richest agricultural areas in the Cape.
The village lies 150 km to the north-east of Cape Town. Surrounded on all sides by mountains, the valley is drained by many streams from which arises the Breede River.
The town was established in 1854 and was named after the Roman goddess of agriculture. When diamonds were discovered in the interior, the road through Ceres became the main route to the North.

Montagu
The charming, historic village of Montagu, the gateway to the Little Karoo, is only two hours drive from Cape Town. The winding roads and mountain ranges offer tourists a most rewarding and relaxing scenic experience.

This area is also synonymous with excellent wines, as the year-round sunshine, perennial water and fertile soil contributes to the creation of wines known for their sugary sweetness and balmy bouquet.

For the sports enthusiast there is fishing, golf, bowls, tennis, squash, pistol shooting, horse riding, cycling, rock climbing and 4x4 routes, to name but a few. The rugged mountains enable the energetic to engage in activities unique to the area, and there are many hiking trails to enjoy.  Another very popular outing is the world-renowned tractor/trailer ride to the summit of the Langeberg Mountains, followed by a typically South African "potjiekos" meal.
 
Worcester
 
Worcester lies on the main route to and from Cape Town, Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth. With its wide range of services and commercial facilities, it has become the business and shopping centre for the entire valley and surrounding towns.
The town has a particulary impressive cultural heritage. In 1819 Worcester was proclaimed a subdrostdy of Tulbagh, and two farms were bought for the purpose of laying out a town. In 1822 Worcester was proclaimed a full drostdy and was named after the Marquis of Worcester, brother of Lord Charles Somerset. Today the town is a well-known educational centre, with several schools, a college and special schools for the disabled. Surrounded by majestic mountains and verdant valleys, the town is seated in the biggest wine-producing district in the country.

Kleinplasie

Kleinplasie (a complex next to the Robertson Road) is a living Open Air Museum where the lifestyle of the early pioneer farmers is depicted. Here you will find various buildings and structures pertaining to early agricultural industries. There is a tobacco shed, and early farm dwelling, soap kitchen, a blacksmith's shop and a water mill, to name only a few. The unique cultural historical value of the Open Air Museum lies in the fact that it not only preserves early architecture and articles in agricultural and home industries, but also keeps these activities and industries alive. Apart from daily tasks such as bread baking, tobacco twisting, candle making, wheat milling and iron forging, a wide variety of other chores are done as the need arises, for example coffee roasting, witblits distilling, soap making and milktart baking. Also part of the complex is a restaurant and tea garden and the fascinating Reptile World.

Brandy Route
During the 325th brandy producing year in South Africa in 1997, the world's first Brandy Route was introduced, causing a stir amongst the world media, and ever since brandy-lovers have set out to find out more about the production and finer side of this noble fruit of the vine by visiting the cellars along the Brandy Route.

The KWV Cellar, the largest of its kind in the world, is one of eight cellars on the Brandy Route. Its uniqueness lies in the 120 Woudberg potstills, huge maturation cellar and demonstrations of the ancient craft of barrel-making by the coopers.
The Olof Bergh Solera Cellar, at Goudine, is the other cellar in the Worcester region. Small but prolific, it accommodates 22 Woudberg copper potstills, similiar to those used in Cognac, France, for the distillation of high quality colombar wines. It is the only cellar in South Africa to practice the famous Spanish Solera method of maturation and blending.

Robertson
 
When entering the Robertson valley - certainly one of South Africa's most beautiful valleys - you are embraced not only by the congeniality of its moderate climate, but also by the warmth of its people. A mere hour and a half's leisurely drive from Cape Town, you find yourself in the scenic Robertson Valley, renowned for its wines of connoisseur quality, radiant roses and thoroughbred horses.
 
The Robertson Wine Route is an officially recognised Wine of Origin region and the Cape's largest wine producing region under irrigation. Orchard upon orchard of decidious fruit, destined for the national and international markets, punctuates the landscape between the vineyards — their blossoms scenting the air in spring and their fruit-laden trees delighting the eye in summer.
 
Here you can take a breathtaking walk and enjoy the open air, visit the museum or relax on the Breede River with a fishing rod, canoe, boat or skis. Bird watching and rock climbing are also favourite pastimes in this area.
 
Tulbagh
 
A charming, historical town with a wealth of Cape Dutch architecture, It was extensively damaged in an earthquake in 1969. The town has since been restored to its old-world splendor.