But that`s only the coastal region. Those towering mountains do more than just add interest to an already scenic view. They separate the green east coast from the high-lying, brown and dusty interior, and they capture all the rain that is swept in from the ocean so that there is not much left for the Little and Great Karoo, which lie inland from the escarpment.

To the south and east, the towering peaks separate the verdantcoast from the high-lying, brown and dusty interior, capturing the rain swept in from the ocean so that there is not much left for the Little and Great Karoo inland.

Upthe west coast, the cold ocean current offers littlein the way of cloud to fall as rain, so the shores are dry yet beautiful in their starkness.

Generally, the summer-rainclimate is perfect for wheat, deciduous fruit and vineyards for which the Western Cape is famous. Its Winelands are aWorld Heritage site in the cultural landscape category. With its spectacular floral diversity, the Cape Floristic Region is another World Heritage site that extends over much of the province.

As the Western Cape has a long post-colonial history, it`s not surprising that it has more than its fair share of beautiful old buildings, many of which are open to the public.

Along the south-eastern coast, the Garden Route stretches, between the Outeniqua and Tsitsikamma mountains and the Indian Ocean, from Heidelberg in the west through Mossel Bay, Knysna, Oudtshoorn, Plettenberg Bay, Nature`s Valley and George, to the Storms River.

The Outeniqua and Tsitsikamma indigenous forests, a unique mixture of Cape Fynbos and temperate woodlands, are popular for hiking trails and eco-tourism activities and are known for 300 species of bird life.

Ten nature reserves embrace the varied ecosystems of the area and unique marine reserves are home to soft coral reefs, dolphins, seals and a host of other marine life. Bays along the route are nurseries to the endangered Southern Right Whales, which come to calve from July to December.

The Garden Route offers the world`s highest bridge bungee jump, off the Bloukrans bridge.