BETHLEHEM:

Bethlehem is situated on the N5 route between Bloemfontein and Durban, and is the principle town of the Eastern Free State. Set amidst magnificent scenery, Bethlehem was founded in 1864 on the farm Pretorius kloof. Its biblical name means “House of Bread”. Accommodation available includes numerous luxurious bed and breakfast facilities, self-catering units, chalets and hotels. Activities are plentiful and include a nostalgic walk along the sandstone path where you will see many magnificent sandstone buildings, visit the Nazareth Mission church, Sol Plaatjie Memorial at the Soulspoort dam, Pretorius Kloof Nature Reserve, Wolhunterskop Nature Reserve and the Ash River Outfall. Activities in the area include Slalom canoeing, hiking, bird watching, game viewing, white water rafting, 4x4 and quads to name a few.

FOURIESBURG:

Founded in 1892 and situated on the R26, Fouriesburg was named after local farmer Christoffel Fourie. Fouriesburg was proclaimed capital of the Free State during the Boer War, and was one of the strongholds of the Boer forces during the Anglo Boer War. Surrender Hill is a memorial to fallen British soldiers and Boers. Four thousand Boers surrendered here and the majorities were sent to India as prisoners of war. Places to visit include the sandstone church, the blockhouse (only 2 of this type in the country) museum, where former commandos camped and President Steyn House, which was the lowly dwelling of the former Free State President. The largest sandstone overhang in the southern hemisphere, Salpetertkrans, is still used for ancestral worship by local tribes. One visit is not enough to take in the magnificent scenery and Fouriesburg will always lure you back.

FICKSBURG:

Ficksburg was founded on 12 June 1867 and named after General Jan Fick. Situated in the scenic panorama of the Eastern Free State, along the Maloti Route, Fisckburg nestles at the foot of the Imperani Mountains & lies on the banks of the Caledon River, the border of Lesotho. The majestic Malutis form a backdrop of purple haze in summer to snow capped peaks in winter. Today the town is the gateway to Lesotho & the Katse Dam & boasts a large cosmopolitan population. Fiscksburg’s economy is based on mixed agriculture, concentrating mainly on cherries, asparagus & deciduous fruit. The district is renowned for the breathtaking sandstone mountains; many of the older buildings in & around town were built from sandstone hewed from these mountains. The Cherry Festival is the oldest crop festival in South Africa & is held annually during the third week of November.

CLARENS:

Clarens is named after the village in Switzerland where Paul Kruger spent his last days in voluntary exile. A neat-tarred road connects Clarens with Golden Gate and the other towns further along the Highlands Route. Enjoy leisurely strolls along a beautiful brook with tree-lined banks. In spring the bright green of the trees is complimented by delicate pink blossoms, which provide an unforgettable sight. Sporting facilities to be enjoyed include golf, squash, tennis, bowls and fly-fishing. Be sure to visit the arts and crafts route, which takes one to places with the most interesting names like Country Bumpkin, Something Else, Twice as Nice and Sue’s Zoo. The excavation sites create the impression of being in erstwhile “Jurasic Era”! The best way to appreciate the beautiful surroundings is by biking, hiking or climbing, which promises opportunities not to be missed.

PHUTHADIJTHABA:

Phuthaditjhaba is a Sotho name and means Meeting Place of the Nations. The flat-topped sandstone mountain in the area was first named QwaQwa, meaning Whiter Than White, by the San people. This either refers to the white snow in winter, or to the droppings of vultures which leave snow white markings on the sandstone. During Zulu disturbances around 1840, a section of the Kgolokwe tribe under Chief Whetse fled here. The area was then named after him: Witsieshoek (i.e. Whetse's Glen). Another tribe, the Tlokwa under leadership of Chief Koos Mota settled here in 1873. Today the area is mainly inhabited by the Kgolokwe and Tlokwa tribes. The name Phuthaditjhaba was given when this area became a homeland to the South Sotho people during the apartheid era.

HARRISMITH:

Harrismith is a small, charming country town, founded in 1849, of whom visitors remark on its cleanliness, and the friendliness of its inhabitants. It was established in 1849 and was named after the glamorous and hard riding British Governor, Sir Harry Smith. Harrismith is the ideal destination to break a long trip, hold a conference or escape from the stresses of city living and recharge batteries in tranquil surroundings with excellent facilities. Indulge in open-air hobbies like birding, biking, 4x4, hiking, climbing, golfing, history, water sport and lots more. The town is well known for its factory shops, gardens (both domestic and wild flower gardens), golf course (the oldest in South Africa) and links with the South African War, with close by battle sites, blockhouses and a military cemetery. The Drakensberg range and Maluti Mountains provide a spectacular backdrop to Harrismith.

KESTELL:

Kestell (founded in 1905). This little town with its tranquil atmosphere has a charm of its own, & lies en route between Harrismith & Bethlehem. Kestell has the second largest sandstone church in the Free State & definitely one of the most beautiful. It can seat 1000 people & it is interesting to note that this little village had 1000 church members in 1980. At the foot of the hill, near a beautiful sandstone mansion, is a huge old oak tree where church services were held until 1905 when the congregation was founded. Kestell is sustained by a prosperous & important agricultural district where mixed farming is practiced. Some of the most spectacular scenery in the country (the Drakensberg & Malutis ) can be seen here. Those interested in history will find trhe area rich in reminiscences of the Retief Trek of 1837.

GOLDEN GATE NATIONAL PARK:

The Golden Gate National Park covers an area of 11 500 hectare and displays a variety of rock shapes and color unsurpassed for its beauty. A visit in spring will reward the visitor with as vision of a green carpet where the Great Artist lavishly painted splashes of white arum lilies and orange-pink watsonias to compete with the red of the fire lily and red-hot pokers. In summer the visitor can cool off in the sun-drenched pools where sun-rays play hide-and-seek with the shadows. Never enter the park in autumn without a camera to capture the rich gold in autumn when the setting sun paints the rock golden – hence the name of the Park - and the graceful poplars splash their yellows and reds and brown lavishly for your pleasure. Don’t miss wintertime when snowfalls often create a winter wonderland. The mountain air is crisp, the crystal-clear water sweet, and the atmosphere serene and quiet