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As Calitzdorp has become a very popular place to visit, my husband and I decided that we needed to go and see for ourselves what Calitzdorp is all about – or perhaps we went because it is known as the “Port Wine Capital” of South Africa.   Situated only 4 hours from Cape Town on the popular Route 62, we knew that our drive there would not be without things to see. We took the N2 from Cape Town, passing through Caledon and Riviersonderend where we had a good breakfast of bacon and eggs and coffee of course.   A little way after Swellendam we turned off onto the R324.   Driving through Tradouw Pass, just south of Barrydale, was our first inspiring moment as this pass has such incredible views with a river running below, we had to stop a couple of times just to take it all in – especially the stillness and peace.  It has also been so well maintained - the parking areas for viewing have been neatly paved and we even passed a maintenance truck of workers who were picking up loose rocks and stones which had fallen onto the road. This pass should not be confused with the “Op de Tradouw Pass” which lies on the R62 route between Montagu and Barrydale. After Tradouw Pass, we passed through Barrydale, which really looked like a great little place (another place to visit in the future), through Ladismith, Zoar and then onto Calitzdorp. We arrived early on Friday afternoon to a bustling town as many of the farm workers had come into town to buy their goods for the weekend. I must admit though, my first impression of the main street, Voortrekker Road, wasn’t the wow! we had when we arrived in Prince Albert. We stayed at “Die Handelshuis” which consists of 2 B&B rooms and a restaurant.   The new owner Gaye has been in Calitzdorp since January 2013 and has made a few changes. Unfortunately she has not yet updated the website for “Die Handelshuis” when the previous owners Pieter and Tracy ran it.   For example - the Beauty Salon that is referred to in the website no longer exists.



The restaurant is open every day, but only on Friday and Saturday evenings if bookings have been made.  Our room was big and comfortable with lounge, kitchen and bedroom areas and we even had our own balcony from which you could look at the stars at night.  There was no TV in the room.

Barbara Davis

Views expressed here aren't necessarily those of SouthAfrica.TO's.

South African Airways has taken delivery of 2 Airbus A320s (the first 2 of 20 it ordered in 2010), which it is using to make its fleet more fuel efficient.