The Garden Route tour usually starts from Cape Town with a stop at Mossel Bay. This otherwise uninspiring town is famous for its Post Office Tree, where sailors would leave letters hanging in a boot to be picked up by those headed towards country where letters were addressed. Then to Oudtshoorn and George, a transport hub for area.

Afterwards, Wilderness National Park a good place for birding and canoeing on your way to artist colony of Knysna and Plettenberg Bay. Plettenberg Bay, "millionaires' playground" is South Africa's trendiest resort. Then to Tsitsikamma National Park known for its nature trails, giant trees and caves. A little ahead of Humansdorp is Jeffrey's Bay, reputed to have one of world's best surfing beaches.

Water sports are big in South Africa. Whale watching and shark-cage diving (with great white sharks) is possible in Cape area. The best time to spot these sea giants is from June to September. In last week of September annual Whale Festival is held at Walker Bay. Diving facilities are good in area and wreck diving in particular is widespread around Cape. For fishing enthusiasts, Cape of Good Hope has one world's richest fishing grounds.

At confluence of Atlantic and Indian Ocean currents is to be found large shoals of tuna and swordfish. For those brave souls seeking hair-raising adventure, there is an excellent opportunity for bungee jumping at bridge over Blaukrans River. This has one of world's highest drops.

There are also many beautiful golf courses in Cape Town and Garden Route area. The best time to play is cooler months of May to September. The President's Cup of 2003 was held at Fancourt Hotel and Country Club at George right on Garden Route. This event is a match play competition with world's best international players.

The best period to visit Cape region is over summer months November-February. The rest of year is usually cool, rainy and windy. Most people then find it quite challenging to engage in swimming and water sports. There is a wide range of hotels in Cape Town and Garden Route area. Top range 5 star hotels and other rated hotels are found throughout region. Top range 5 star hotels and other rated hotels are found throughout region.

Other accommodation options include motels, guesthouses, bed and breakfasts, farm holidays, beach cottages, holiday flats and bungalows. The Cape region is now a much sought after destination and advance booking is necessary during summer season (October-April). With prior planning it is possible to get good value and affordable holiday stay.

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The Seychelles is a year round destination. But if you must undertake a specific activity, then you need to pick most suitable season. Windsurfing and sailing are best at start and end of trade winds - May and October. Diving enthusiasts should go for dates between March and May or September to November, although conditions are excellent year round.

Those keen on birdlife should note that April marks beginning of breeding season. Bird Island, in particular is overrun by sea birds between May and September. Due to drier conditions, period May to September has best conditions for hiking and walking.

The other factor you may want to consider is cost. The Seychelles is considered to be a top-drawer destination. In general, peak falls between mid December-early January and mid July-end August when most Seychelles hotels and resorts trade in currency known as top-dollar. The off-season periods vary with each establishment much more widely than most other destinations.

The discount in designated off-season periods relative to peak season falls between 20-60%. Some of smaller premises however charge a uniform rate year round. If you have a flexible schedule, good planning can result in considerable savings.

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