Along the Garden Route is a small (relatively speaking of course in the scheme of things) area called The Crags. It's 12km outside the popular coastal town of Plettenberg Bay, a suburb of it, you could say.

Here in this 15km2 area you will find the most extraordinary things to do, places to eat, people to meet and places to stay.

Let's begin with the animals - we have six sanctuaries here - Monkeyland, Birds of Eden, Tenikwa Wildlife Awareness Centre, the Elephant Sanctuary and even one for Snakes at Lawnwood Snake Sanctuary. So if it's a walk with a cheetah, or a visit to the Ellies, or a day with the birds you desire, look no further than The Crags. Of course who could forget our glorious oceans with all its teaming wild life? Pelagic birds, dolphins, seals, whales and there's Ocean Blue to ensure you have the best eco tour possible.

If it's boating you desire, well there is no better spot than the Angling Club - little put-put boats to take you up (or down) river, to moor at private beaches and enjoy the tranquility of nature.

And for those adventure-loving people, Ingwe Forest Adventures puts together some great group & team-building activities. Polo fields abound in this area, and it's always an exciting time when the teams and horses arrive for the season! Chukkas and Champagne are the order of the day then.

And the walks here are superb - over 50 charted in the area.

Then of course there's the shopping: not the ordinary run-of-the-mill stuff, but handcrafted, hand painted, community orientated, artistic, clever, funny, funky and functional creations. Fabulous fabrics at Langa Lapu, mohair delights (and you can meet the goats who supply the wool too) at the Mill, jewelry, leather, famous raku ceramics at Porcupine, knick-knacks, clothing, dying, beadwork handcrafted soaps at Old Nick's ... it's a shoppers haven.

And not to forget that this area boasts the very first vineyard this far east in the Western cape! Bramon Wine Estate has created an award winning bubbly and you can taste it at their super restaurant in the vineyards overlooking the elephant sanctuary.

And as for excellent eateries: Enrico's Restaurant is perched right on the rocks at Keurbooms beach - "Any closer," says Enrico, "and you'll get wet!"

And there's the PepperMill for scrumptious lunches and breakfasts at The Mill; Nature's Valley Trading for pub grub and beach essentials and what stay is a stay without sampling the superlative Natures' Valley Beach? There's the Flight Deck at Birds of Eden, in the middle of the lake with the swans and ducks gliding by. Of course if you'd prefer to pack up a picnic then Natures Valley Farmstall is the place for you to stop ... fresh milk, farm cheese, preserves (yum!), and then you head off to the beach for a blissful day of doing absolutely nothing.

If that isn't enough, we have our very own Barnyard Theatre here - so for those with a theatrical mien or a musical ear, the Barnyard has a fabulous variety of shows throughout the year.

The Crags, come and cruise with us ...