The Upper Karoo Route from Victoria West to Calvinia via Carnarvon offers the beautiful landscape of Northern Cape (strewn with daisies in spring), rare wildlife and a thriving, hospitable culture.

Cullinan near Pretoria in Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality, Gauteng, is a great destination for out-of-the-ordinary weddings at Jan Harmsgat se Agterplaas and prenuptial pampering at Zau Spa.

The Klein Karoo in Western Cape might be dry, but it offers unique plants, enthralling nature reserves, magnificent mountain vistas, its own wine route, ostrich farms and the world-famous Cango Caves.

Northern Cape’s Diamond Coast – from Port Nolloth to Alexander Bay – is perfect for romantic getaways featuring shipwrecks, glorious scenery and spring flowers… and sparkly gems!

The Royal Hotel in preserved Victorian gold-rush town Pilgrim’s Rest, once a Catholic church that was built hundreds of kilometres away, offers old-fashioned comfort and a heap of Mpumalanga history.

Ficksburg in Free State province is famed as South Africa’s cherry mecca – but the town offers many other experiences for visitors, from chocolates and asparagus to boat tours and beautiful buildings.

Stellenbosch and Franschhoek produce some of South Africa’s best wine and boast several of the country’s best restaurants.

Drive the scenic Camdeboo route in the Eastern Cape Karoo and experience the small-town charm of Willowmore, Rietbron, Aberdeen and Graaff-Reinet.