We spend a couple of weeks each low season – June-August – driving around checking out and investigating places, venues, activities that are or may be incorporated in an A4U tour package. This year we did 5200 km. (approx. 3200 miles) in 15 days, stayed over-night at 11 different hotels and guesthouses and visited a number of others. 
Even having made this trip several times before, each year brings something new. Outstanding this year was the drive through three different mountain passes: Prince Alfred, Montagu and Swartberg, the one more spectacular than the other. These are all in the south western part of the country. Further north, in the Rooiberg (red mountains) you may hike or ride horses in beautiful surroundings.
Several South African villages have become tourist destinations in their own right. Arniston, Elim, Pringle Bay, Montagu, Prince Albert … mentioned casually and in no order of priority. There are so many others, well known and still relatively unknown (the so called “best kept secrets”). Almost everywhere we noticed a similar trend: More and more of the already established, excellent guest houses and lodges are now offering – in addition to relaxation in peaceful surroundings, good food and various activities – an in-house Spa with massage and beauty treatments.