AAA

GArDEN routE coNrAD PEZuLA hotEL & SPA, kNySNA ooooo the conrad's 78 exquisitely appointed suites feature private balconies or patios, log fireplaces, and sumptuous bathrooms. With its gourmet cuisine, indulgent accommodations, world-class spa and fitness center, championship golf course, and a vast range of outdoor activities, Pezula hotel & spa offers guests an essentially african experience in a relaxed environment. ProtEA hotEL, kNySNA QuAyS oooo Protea hotel Knysna Quays is located on the banks of the captivating Knysna Lagoon, a prime area for eco-adventure activities in the Western cape. Bright and nautical-themed rooms create a pleasant ambiance, most benefiting from breathtaking views of the lagoon. the rooms feature spacious bathrooms, satellite tV, and air-conditioning. Guests can enjoy an all-day menu at the on-site restaurant; swimming pool with sun deck; free internet access; wellness services (additional cost); and conference amenities. Towering mountains form a picturesque backdrop for the vineyards of more than 600 wineries in this, the core of South Africa's wine-making industry. Here, a 200-mile Garden Route takes you past 300-year-old vineyards, estates, and charming towns like Stellenbosch, the country's second-oldest town and wine capital. With fine wine of course comes fine dining—gourmet cuisines is rife in French Franschhoek, where award-winning food is just as important as the continued prestige of their signature Cap Classique, South Africa's answer to Champagne. Genteel charm isn't all, though. Off-road adventure awes as equally, thanks to ten nature reserves, hiking trails, and pristine forests that lead to coral reefs, dolphins, seals, and southern right whales, whose arrivals to mate and birth their calves every June through November is gleefully announced by the world's only official whale crier. GARDEN ROUTE/WINELANDS Garden Route/Winelands 13

• Cover