| The Road Trip has become a holiday experience in | | | | transformed labourers' cottages that now offer |
| itself, thanks to movies like Thelma and Louise, | | | | quaint self-catering accommodations. You can 'rough |
| Rainman and California. | | | | it' and camp out or indulge in a little luxury at a |
| The first thing to do when planning a road trip | | | | charming B&B complete with king-sized |
| vacation is to hire the best vehicle for the | | | | breakfast to get you back on the road. |
| experience. A genuine road trip requires more than | | | | Along the way you'll be spoiled for choice when it |
| your basic sedan, although at a push you can get by | | | | comes to activities. |
| on a basic budget car if you're counting the pennies. | | | | We've already mentioned off-road tracks for 4x4s, |
| If you have the means, and you want to do the trip | | | | and there are also quad and mountain bike routes to |
| properly, consider hiring a 4x4. You can take | | | | enjoy. A fine example of a 4x4 course is the |
| advantage of the country's many off-road tracks | | | | Matroosberg Trail in Ceres, high up in the mountains |
| along the way for added adventure, and the modern | | | | with fantastic views. |
| 4x4's are roomy, air-conditioned and offer comfort | | | | You can learn fascinating facts about the Bushmen |
| plus ruggedness - the perfect combo for your road | | | | who originally lived in the region by going on the |
| trip holiday. | | | | Interpretation Botanical Trail in De Rust. While in the |
| Everyone knows about Route 66, America's most | | | | area, you can fish, swim, and sail on the Stompdrift |
| famous road trip route. But if you're visiting South | | | | Dam Water Resort. |
| Africa, or if you're a local taking leave and feel the | | | | You can pick cherries, apples and pears in season at |
| urge to take to the open road, what's the best | | | | the Klondyke Cherry Farm 30km out of Ceres, and |
| route to take? | | | | enjoy a picnic under the pines afterwards. |
| A road trip requires more than a long stretch of tar | | | | Of course you'll want to see the ostriches at |
| linking cities. It needs to be off the main | | | | Oudtshoorn. These amazing birds are interesting to |
| thoroughfare, taking in little towns and villages far out | | | | learn about and observe. Children especially enjoy this |
| of the big cities and offer things to do and see that | | | | experience. |
| you wouldn't get on a simple A to B trip. | | | | Other activities and attractions along the way include |
| Route 62, which begins in the Western Cape, offers | | | | hot-air ballooning, Bushmen cave painting viewing, |
| the ideal answer to the States' Route 66. | | | | hiking and kloofing, river rafting, horesriding, golf and |
| The road meanders between Cape Town, | | | | of course wine tours. |
| Oudsthoorn and the Garden Route, ending in Port | | | | Eating en route is something you'll do plenty of - all |
| Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape. | | | | that fresh air and action will give you a serious |
| You can expect to travel from lush Winelands, | | | | appetite. From road-side farm stalls to classy bistros |
| orchards and groves to dusty Karoo landscapes, over | | | | to delis stuffed with local delights such as fig |
| mountain passes and through river valleys. Trees and | | | | preserve and olive tapenade, you'll find plenty to |
| fynbos, cliffs and streams, verdant greens to arid | | | | tempt the taste buds. |
| browns and beiges - you'll see a world of climate and | | | | So all that's left to do is to hire that 4x4, grab your |
| geography along this one incredible road. | | | | favourite road-trip CDs, sling your togs into a bag and |
| There are many accommodation options on Route | | | | hit the road. |
| 62 - from luxury hotels out in the countryside to | | | | |