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Worcester
The Golden Valley, Sun International’s hotel and gaming complex in Worcester, lies nestled in the picturesque Breede River Valley, surrounded by the towering cliffs of the Hex River Mountains to the north, and the Du Toitskloof and Slanghoek Mountain ranges to the West.
At the heart of the Cape-Dutch styled complex lies the casino with a wide selection of slot machine games. Flanking the casino floor is the popular Winners Action Bar where live sports events are broadcast and value for money pub lunches can be enjoyed. The Kuipers restaurant serves an extensive selection of a la carte meals, including traditional Cape dishes, over the weekends.
The adjacent 97-room Golden Valley Lodge offers comfortable accommodation in spacious, tastefully decorated rooms. A hearty continental or English breakfast is served in a dining area overlooking a sparkling pool and the mountains beyond.
Adjoining the property is the well maintained Worcester Golf Course, at the foot of the Brandwacht Mountains. Accurately placed aloes and boulders act as markers measuring the distances to the greens. Behind the property lies the Karoo National Botanical Garden comprising 155ha of indigenous semi-desert vegetation and the largest succulent garden in the country. A nursery is open to the public.
The fertile valley offers the perfect conditions for growing fruit and wine so it is no surprise that it is the biggest wine producing region in the country. Visit intimate wine farms or travel along the R62 Brandy Route and sample the wares from the KWV Brandy Cellar, the largest of its kind in the world.
Fishermen can indulge in their favourite pastime on the peaceful banks of the mountainous Brandvlei dam or from the Breede and Hex rivers, which flow by on either side of the town.
For action lovers, there’s a pick of hang gliding off the mountains, watersports in the nearby Quaggaskloof Dam, canoe trips and river rafting down the Breede river, and of course, the mountains offer excellent opportunities for kloofing, 4×4, hiking and mountaineering trails.
To end, relax at the nearby hot springs of Goudini Spa or visit the Kleinplasie Open Air Museum to see a slice of life a hundred years ago. The occupants of the museum use traditional methods to produce goods such as candles, bread and even Witblits which is on sale to the public.