| The town of Worcester in South Africa was | | | | jewel of a garden with 144ha of natural |
| founded in 1822. The town today is mainly the | | | | semi-desert vegetation and 10ha of landscaped |
| service centre for the surrounding wine and fruit | | | | gardens, features the unique plants of the drier |
| growing areas in the Breede River Valley. | | | | parts of the country. Its greenhouse boast world |
| Worcester lies at the N1 freeway connecting | | | | famous collections of stone plants.Brandy |
| Cape Town and Johannesburg and is an ideal place | | | | Route:During the 325th brandy producing year in |
| for a stopover, since it has some interesting | | | | South Africa in 1997, the world's first Brandy |
| tourist attractions to offer.At the Kleinplasie | | | | Route was introduced, causing a stir amongst the |
| open-air museum one can gain an insight into the | | | | world media. Public awareness was roused and |
| living conditions of the first settlers. A farm from | | | | brandy-lovers set about finding out more about |
| the 18th century, a hut of the Trekboers and a | | | | the production and finer side of this noble fruit of |
| Khoikhoi camp have been rebuilt and furnished | | | | the vine, by visiting the cellars along the Brandy |
| true to detail. Actors in historical dresses reinvoke | | | | Route.The KWV Cellar, the largest of its kind in |
| the rural life of the old days. Visitors can watch | | | | the world, is one of eight cellars on the Brandy |
| how they manufactured soap, rolled tobacco, | | | | Route. It's uniqueness lies in the 120 Woudberg |
| forged horseshoes, milled wheat, spun wool and | | | | potstills, huge maturation cellar and demonstrations |
| much more.To the wine lover, Worcester offers | | | | of the ancient craft of barrel-making by the |
| a big Wine Tasting Centre, where one can savor | | | | coopers.The Olof Bergh Solera Cellar, at Goudine, |
| the excellent Breede River wines. Definitely worth | | | | is the other cellar in the Worcester region. Small |
| a visit is the KWV Brandy Cellar, where one can | | | | but prolific, it accommodates 22 Woudberg |
| gain an insight into art of brandy distillation.Another | | | | copper potstills, similiar to those used in Cognac, |
| attraction is the Karoo National Botanical Garden, | | | | France, for the distillation of high quality colombar |
| about one kilometer north of Worcester. In this | | | | wines. It is the only cellar in South Africa to |
| 144 hectare semi-desert nature reserve one can | | | | practice the famous Spanish Solera method of |
| find a whole spectrum of Karoo plants.Glider-flying | | | | maturation and blending.Institute for the |
| enthusiasts find the only glider flying airfield in the | | | | Blind:Visitors are invited to come and see how the |
| Cape in Worcester. The Cape Gliding Club owns a | | | | visually impaired are trained and how they |
| whole range of one or two-seater glider planes, a | | | | work.Institute for the Deaf:Visitors are invited to |
| towing aircraft and a tarred runway. Flying | | | | come and see how the hearing impaired are |
| activities are usually limited to the weekends only. | | | | trained and how they work.Nuwe Hoop Centre |
| Visitors are welcome and can, under the | | | | for the Hearing Impaired:A centre where children |
| supervision of a teacher, try flying themselves. | | | | between the ages of three and twenty one |
| Thermal winds and weather conditions in the | | | | years receive formal and technical training. Visitors |
| Breede River Valley are excellent most of the | | | | are welcome.Architectural Walking |
| year.Worcester lies on the main route to and | | | | Routes:Worcester was laid out according to a |
| from Cape Town, Johannesburg and Port | | | | definite plan with parallel streets. This enables the |
| Elizabeth. With its wide range of services and | | | | visitor to take an easy walk through town and |
| commercial facilities, it has become the business | | | | visit some prime examples of early architecture. |
| and shopping centre for the entire valley and | | | | Brochures are available at the Tourism Bureau.Gift |
| surrounding towns.Things to See and | | | | and Antique Shops:Several interesting shops are |
| Do:Kleinplasie:The Complex (next to the Robertson | | | | dotted around town.Gerald Crawford was born in |
| Road) comprises the agricultural showground's, an | | | | South Africa, studied electronics, |
| Open Air Living Museum, restaurant and wine | | | | telecommunication, eco-travel and african travel |
| cellar, as well as the Reptile World.Kleinplasie Open | | | | concepts. He taught responsible tourism in South |
| Air Living Museum:The unique open air museum | | | | Africa. If you have any questions or comments |
| depicts the lifestyle of the early pioneer farmers. | | | | please e-mail me on. E-mail Address: |
| Throughout the year a variety of activities are | | | | southafricantravelarticles@12234455.co. |
| presented.Karoo National Botanical Garden:This | | | | |