Halfway between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, the sprawling city of George won't win any beauty competitions, but it has a majestic mountain backdrop and is the commercial heart of the Garden Route, with the most transport connections and a large choice of restaurants. It's not worth overnighting in this inland town, however, as its attractions are few and far from scintillating, and the coastal town of Wilderness, with a number of lovely lodging options, is just a 10-minute drive away. From Wilderness, Knysna lies 20 minutes east, while Plettenberg Bay is just under an hour away. Given its proximity to Oudtshoorn, it makes a good base if you'd prefer to unpack for a few days and explore, rather than hop from place to place.
