There is also an unobtrusive group of previous captains of business and industry who have had their fill of the business "pressure cooker" and who have now chosen to live life on their own terms in Hermanus. They still jet around the world, but just as easily slip back into the comfortable lifestyle where they can become themselves once more.

Most of our visitors come to Hermanus from Cape Town and surrounding areas of the Western Cape. It's near enough to finish work on Fridays, drive home to pick up the family and golf clubs and be here before supper time.

Spend two nights, possibly three (if you set off early on Monday morning); enjoy a total break from the usual routine and experience a little bit of paradise.

Visitors from further afield either fly to Cape Town International Airport and then transfer to Hermanus, or else travel by car or bus knowing that a treat awaits them when they arrive. Both tour groups and independent travelers identify Hermanus as a haven away from home.

Seafront Marine Drive in Hermanus offers a range of accommodation - 45 Marine Drive Serviced Apartments, Hermanus Esplanade Self-Catering Apartments and The Windsor Hotel are all situated right on the edge of the sea and in the heart of the village. Simply park your car and forget about it as everything you could wish for is within walking distance.

Choose between more than 50 places to eat and you won't have to cook if you don't want to. Explore the shops and market stalls and you're sure to find something to take home with you even if it is just that deep breath of fresh champagne air!

Nature-lovers ..... the wonders of the fauna and flora of the region - both in the sea and on land. This, more than any other aspect, distinguishes Hermanus from the trendier holiday venues where sadly nature has been forgotten in the face of development.

The Southern Right Whales ("right" because they didn't sink when there were harpooned) have been saved from extinction by conservationists and they return each year between May and December to mate and calve in the safety of Walker Bay.

Sit or stand in the front rooms of 45 Marine Drive, Hermanus Esplanade Self-Catering Apartments or The Windsor Hotel and you'II be drawn to the cliff paths to take a closer look. As international whale authorities Mark Carwardine and Peter Best say, this is the "best land-based whale-watching in the world". And the increasing number of visitors couldn't agree more!

Hermanus has its own nature reserve at Fernkloof, and nearby Kleinmond has the Harold Porter Nature Reserve. Here the drought-resistant fynbos (literally "fine leaf") of the region is protected so generations to come can enjoy its pristine beauty. Fynbos is recognized as the smallest of the six floral kingdoms in the world and is unique to the Western Cape.

For birdwatchers there are countless flocks of migrating birds from Europe that co-habit with local indigenous birds before returning home at the end of summer. Much like our visitors they faithfully return every year!

Come and experience Hermanus for yourself!

YOU MIGHT WANT TO STAY FOREVER!