As visitorscan relive ancient battles and trace the more contemporary beginnings of Nelson Mandela`s long walk to freedom and Steve Biko`s shorter path to martyrdom, it`s a great cultural destination.

Yet there`s more to the cultural attractions than conflict and confrontation.

Grahamstown, a historic centre of grand old buildings, art galleries, museums and churches, annually hosts the world`s second largest cultural festival, dramatically interpreting stories and opinions and colourfully bursting into song and dance.

For many, the province`s sheer beauty is its attraction. Along a coaststill relatively wild beaches stretch out of sight, endless in the opportunity they offer surfers, divers, hikers, beachcombers and the less energetic who seek only to unwind in the sunshine.

Indeed,walking the beaches and the cliffs above them is something taken seriously.

The Otter Trail enjoys world acclaim among the many hiking tracks that criss-cross the entire coastline, often through such nature reserves as the Tsitsikamma National Park, and that meander further afield to mountain forests, the arid Karoo and the high grasslands of the Drakensberg. Higher ground attracts fly fishermen and even snow skiers.

Wildlife enthusiasts have long recognised the (malaria-free) appeal of the Addo Elephant National Park, home not just to an elephant sub-species but the entire `Big Five` of the animal kingdom, and of anincreasing number of private luxury lodges that add style and luxury to game viewing.