Take your pick

When it’s cherry time, all roads lead to Ficksburg in the Free State.

Come join us on a coach tour to the 47th Cherry Festival.

Ficksburg, also known as the cherry capital of the world, is situated in the eastern Free State, one of the most scenic areas in South Africa. The district is renowned for its sandstone formations – the same sandstone that was used to construct many of the buildings in and around the town (as well as the Union Buildings in Pretoria).

Since the first Cherry Festival was held in Ficksburg in 1968, it has grown into one of the must-do events on the tourism calendar, attracting more than 24 000 people. It is hosted every year during the third week of November and offers visitors a taste of everything cherry-related, plus a sample of local entertainment and arts and crafts.

Travel by coach from Pretoria to the eastern Free State (via Centurion, Midrand and Johannesburg) on a no-frills tour that allows you to experience the fun of this festival without the hassles of driving and finding accommodation. Along the way you’ll visit the picturesque Clarens, an artist’s haven, and Golden Gate Highlands National Park, which derives its name from the brilliant shades of gold cast by the sun on the sandstone cliffs. Here, you might see the rare bearded vulture, southern bald ibis, oribi and a variety of other mammals.

And, of course, you can look forward to a visit to a local cherry farm, where you can eat as many cherries as you like!

WHEN? PRICE THE PRICE INCLUDES

20 to 22 November 2015 From R2 900 per person sharing in a twin room • Return coach trip from Gauteng – the bus has reclining seats, curtains, a toilet and a PA system • Two nights’ accommodation • Two breakfasts and two dinners • Entrance to Golden Gate Highlands National Park and a cherry farm