The West Coast's Mediterranean climate promises long, sun-drenched summer days and green winters. Pristine golden beaches stretch endlessly and in summer the land becomes ablaze with flowers in all shapes and colour.

Route 27 takes the visitor from the busy, city life to a world of peaceful villages and rugged coast lines.

The little towns along the coast form the hub of the South African fishing industry, while offering some of the greatest of small town experiences.

The town of Yzerfontein is well known for its mighty westerly swells, making it one of the country's prime surfing spots.

Langebaan Lagoon is the focal point of the West Coast National Park.

The little town of Darling is easily accessible from Cape Town and is one of South Africa's foremost artist colonies.

At Bird Island near Lamberts Bay, visitors have an unobtrusive viewing platform of the breeding sites of Cape gannets and cormorants.

The West Coast Fossil Park offers visitors the opportunity to have an on-site fossil experience.

The West Coast is vibrant with life and it shows: in the brightly coloured flowers, the fishermen's passion for the sea and the breeding sites with its thousands of birds.

Yet it seems almost timeless.

It has a pace of its own, taking the visitors by their heartstrings and luring them towards an unforgettable journey.