Franco's Guidebook - WHY I LOVE KNYSNA SOUTH AFRICA “Perfect base to explore the Garden Route”
Franco
Franco's Guidebook - WHY I LOVE KNYSNA SOUTH AFRICA “Perfect base to explore the Garden Route”
Sightseeing
The Heads is the sea entrance to this famous Town in South Africa. My favorite views of the Town are found here. 10 min or 5.7km from my home
105 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Knysna
The Heads is the sea entrance to this famous Town in South Africa. My favorite views of the Town are found here. 10 min or 5.7km from my home
Noetzie is one of those places that people remember! Just 15 min -8.9km from my home
Archeological excavations of the Noetzie midden show that Noetzie has been a popular destination for the last 3,500 years.
The earliest written reference to Noetzie was scribed on the 4th March 1786 by adventurer and captain of the Dutch East India Company (known then as the VOC) Colonal Robert Jacob Gordon who mapped a good part of South Africa. Many trips were undertaken through local, uncharted forests often for 6-8 hours a day by foot and horse and he made reference to the river mouth at Noetzie.
For many it is because of the ‘castles’ which have intrigued visitors over the years and the first question nearly every visitor asks is: “Who built them?”
Some seem a little disappointed to be told that the castles are no more than holiday homes, and a few mischievous Noetzie residents, playing up to visitor curiosity, have been known to spin them a yarn or two about the castles belonging to pirates, smugglers, the Portuguese under Vasco da Gama, or even as a little known Roman outpost.
Many of the houses at Noetzie have been in the same family for generations and today’s youngsters swim, fish, scramble over rocks and frolic in the sand just as their grandparents and great – grandparents once did.
The oldest house in Noetzie (including the castles) is “North’s Cottage”, a little wood and iron cottage that was built early in the 20th century, and which the fifth generation of North descendants still enjoy as a holiday home.
The oldest castle, at the end of the beach, was built as a holiday house by Herbert Stephen Henderson, who lived in what was then Southern Rhodesia. He started building it in 1930 out of the local natural stone . The story goes that he had no intention of building a “castle”, but simply used the stone for practical reasons, when Rex Metelerkamp, a member of a well-known local family, who was watching the building, jokingly said “All you need to do is to add a few turrets and you’ll have a castle”. And he did! That set the trend, and Pezula ,up on the hill, was completed in the late 1930’s, and became known simply as “The Castle” , in 1942.
His son Ian built Montrose in the 1970’s and the Lindsays built “ Perekuil “, now known as Lindsay Castle, in the 1960’s.
17 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Noetzie Castles - Craighross Castle
Noetzie is one of those places that people remember! Just 15 min -8.9km from my home
Archeological excavations of the Noetzie midden show that Noetzie has been a popular destination for the last 3,500 years.
The earliest written reference to Noetzie was scribed on the 4th March 1786 by adventurer and captain of the Dutch East India Company (known then as the VOC) Colonal Robert Jacob Gordon who mapped a good part of South Africa. Many trips were undertaken through local, uncharted forests often for 6-8 hours a day by foot and horse and he made reference to the river mouth at Noetzie.
For many it is because of the ‘castles’ which have intrigued visitors over the years and the first question nearly every visitor asks is: “Who built them?”
Some seem a little disappointed to be told that the castles are no more than holiday homes, and a few mischievous Noetzie residents, playing up to visitor curiosity, have been known to spin them a yarn or two about the castles belonging to pirates, smugglers, the Portuguese under Vasco da Gama, or even as a little known Roman outpost.
Many of the houses at Noetzie have been in the same family for generations and today’s youngsters swim, fish, scramble over rocks and frolic in the sand just as their grandparents and great – grandparents once did.
The oldest house in Noetzie (including the castles) is “North’s Cottage”, a little wood and iron cottage that was built early in the 20th century, and which the fifth generation of North descendants still enjoy as a holiday home.
The oldest castle, at the end of the beach, was built as a holiday house by Herbert Stephen Henderson, who lived in what was then Southern Rhodesia. He started building it in 1930 out of the local natural stone . The story goes that he had no intention of building a “castle”, but simply used the stone for practical reasons, when Rex Metelerkamp, a member of a well-known local family, who was watching the building, jokingly said “All you need to do is to add a few turrets and you’ll have a castle”. And he did! That set the trend, and Pezula ,up on the hill, was completed in the late 1930’s, and became known simply as “The Castle” , in 1942.
His son Ian built Montrose in the 1970’s and the Lindsays built “ Perekuil “, now known as Lindsay Castle, in the 1960’s.
This is a must do as you see Knysna from the other side of the estuary. Arrange a boat trip from http://www.knysnafeatherbed.com/ Buy tickets on line or at the waterfront 7 min or 3.1 km from my home
62 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Featherbed Private Nature Reserve
Waterfront DriveThis is a must do as you see Knysna from the other side of the estuary. Arrange a boat trip from http://www.knysnafeatherbed.com/ Buy tickets on line or at the waterfront 7 min or 3.1 km from my home
Get close to nature - only 20min, 22km from my house. https://knysnaelephantpark.co.za/
184 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Knysna Elephant Park
Get close to nature - only 20min, 22km from my house. https://knysnaelephantpark.co.za/
BOAT-BASED WHALE WATCHING, MARINE TOURS, SUP AND GONOW ELECTRIC BIKE HIRE IN KNYSNA, ON THE GARDEN ROUTE OF SOUTH AFRICA
Ocean Odyssey offers unforgettable marine adventures. Our close encounter, boat-based whale watching tours and marine eco-tours are perfect activities to add to any itinerary in Knysna. We offer three daily departures and a fleet of ocean going vessels. This is the ideal experience for local visitors and international tourists.
42 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Ocean Odyssey Whale Watching Knysna
TH22 Long StBOAT-BASED WHALE WATCHING, MARINE TOURS, SUP AND GONOW ELECTRIC BIKE HIRE IN KNYSNA, ON THE GARDEN ROUTE OF SOUTH AFRICA
Ocean Odyssey offers unforgettable marine adventures. Our close encounter, boat-based whale watching tours and marine eco-tours are perfect activities to add to any itinerary in Knysna. We offer three daily departures and a fleet of ocean going vessels. This is the ideal experience for local visitors and international tourists.
Beaches
Nice beach and a easy walk around the island - 9 min or 5km from my home
36 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Leisure Island
Nice beach and a easy walk around the island - 9 min or 5km from my home
Great family beach for surfing and for tanning and walks - 28min or 23km from my home
25 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Buffelsbaai
Great family beach for surfing and for tanning and walks - 28min or 23km from my home
Beautiful beaches - diving - only 26 min - 30km from my home
107 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Plettenberg Bay
1 Crescent StreetBeautiful beaches - diving - only 26 min - 30km from my home
Golf
If you into golfing - then this is the spot. When last did you see a golf course in the mountains? If you are not into golfing you can still go up to the beautiful Hotel for a sunset meal. It’s spectacular. 15 min or 5.3 km from my home
39 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Simola Golf & Country Estate
Oldcate RoadIf you into golfing - then this is the spot. When last did you see a golf course in the mountains? If you are not into golfing you can still go up to the beautiful Hotel for a sunset meal. It’s spectacular. 15 min or 5.3 km from my home
If you into golf - you got to play this course. 10min or 6,7 km from my home
43 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Pezula Championship Golf Course Restaurant
1 Admiralty AvenueIf you into golf - you got to play this course. 10min or 6,7 km from my home
Food scene
This is the place to enjoy a variety of good food and a bit of gift shopping in a little waterfront harbor. Only 7 min or 3.1 km from my home
88 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Knysna Waterfront
21 Waterfront DrThis is the place to enjoy a variety of good food and a bit of gift shopping in a little waterfront harbor. Only 7 min or 3.1 km from my home
This is the best food for a days outing near Monkey Land and the Birds of Eden - trust me you want to try this food - best value for money - great jungle gym fir kids with some farm animals- Mohair
9 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Peppermill Restaurant
This is the best food for a days outing near Monkey Land and the Birds of Eden - trust me you want to try this food - best value for money - great jungle gym fir kids with some farm animals- Mohair
Caffe Mario
Authentic Italian café food with gusto infuses the menu at this well-loved café. Start the day with the Super Mario breakfast – the works, including spicy Italian sausage.
Pastas full of flavor; pasta aurora – broccoli and gorgonzola or piquant puttanesca along with main dishes including veal marsala. Osso bucco or catch of the day grilled in olive oil are tasty and satisfying.
68 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Caffe Mario
17 Hedge St
Caffe Mario
Authentic Italian café food with gusto infuses the menu at this well-loved café. Start the day with the Super Mario breakfast – the works, including spicy Italian sausage.
Pastas full of flavor; pasta aurora – broccoli and gorgonzola or piquant puttanesca along with main dishes including veal marsala. Osso bucco or catch of the day grilled in olive oil are tasty and satisfying.
Taste the tradition of being Italian!
As their logo say “Any closer and you will get wet!” The terrace of Enrico’s in Plettenberg Bay is a prime site for watching dolphins and whales with swooping views across the bay to Robberg. Guests enjoy from sunrise breakfasts to sundowners and dinners on the deck. The atmosphere inside is friendly, homely and relaxed with Enrico always making an effort to come out of the kitchen and chat with friends and patrons.
People do not only fall in love with the view, but most definitely the food as well. The food is created from the freshest ingredients and a born-understanding of what works. Enrico takes natural raw products and create unique, tasteful and delicious dishes inspired by him. Being Roman, there is no such thing as eating silently in the restaurant, not just by the volumes of laughter and enjoyment brought on by the party at the table, but more so by the food that is being enjoyed. It’s colour, aromas, textures and flavours. Simple, everyday produce stirred together creating flavourful feasts.
Favourites on the menu include the Kudu and Avocado for Starters. This is served with black pepper, lemon and olive oil. Enrico’s signature dish is the Fish Enrico. He uses only the freshest line fish he can get and bake it with olive oil, white wine, a touch of parsley and garlic and lots of imagination! For meat lovers there is the Rump Enrico to be enjoyed. Then of course dessert… Tiramisu done the true Italian way. Look out for the Daily Specials.
220 lokal ang nagrerekomenda
Ristorante Enrico
296 Main StTaste the tradition of being Italian!
As their logo say “Any closer and you will get wet!” The terrace of Enrico’s in Plettenberg Bay is a prime site for watching dolphins and whales with swooping views across the bay to Robberg. Guests enjoy from sunrise breakfasts to sundowners and dinners on the deck. The atmosphere inside is friendly, homely and relaxed with Enrico always making an effort to come out of the kitchen and chat with friends and patrons.
People do not only fall in love with the view, but most definitely the food as well. The food is created from the freshest ingredients and a born-understanding of what works. Enrico takes natural raw products and create unique, tasteful and delicious dishes inspired by him. Being Roman, there is no such thing as eating silently in the restaurant, not just by the volumes of laughter and enjoyment brought on by the party at the table, but more so by the food that is being enjoyed. It’s colour, aromas, textures and flavours. Simple, everyday produce stirred together creating flavourful feasts.
Favourites on the menu include the Kudu and Avocado for Starters. This is served with black pepper, lemon and olive oil. Enrico’s signature dish is the Fish Enrico. He uses only the freshest line fish he can get and bake it with olive oil, white wine, a touch of parsley and garlic and lots of imagination! For meat lovers there is the Rump Enrico to be enjoyed. Then of course dessert… Tiramisu done the true Italian way. Look out for the Daily Specials.