I could spout off a bunch of quotes here about how the journey is more important than the destination but I’m sure you guys also have that friend who posts inspirational travel quotes from behind their desk at their dead-end job. A tropical paradise and a hammock with a quote about the sand between your toes…oh, you shouldn’t have.

All that aside I am sure we can agree that dotted around South Africa we have so many hidden gems, little towns that don’t get the glory but remain all the better for that. The guys at savisas.com have put together a superb list of the 25 best small towns in South Africa and we have hand-picked a few below.

Let it be known they are in no special order, so don’t get your panties in too much of a twist if you don’t agree. We have quoted from savisas.com underneath each photo.

Coffee Bay

Coffee Bay is located on the “Wild Coast”, which is completely untouched by industrial development and breathtakingly beautiful. The Hole in the Wall is one of South Africa’s most famous tourist attractions and Mdumbi beach has been voted one of South Africa’s best beaches.

Underberg

With the Sani Pass, the mountain kingdom of Lesotho and uKhahlamba/Drakensberg park (declared a World Heritage Site in 2000) on its doorstep, Underberg is known as the gateway to the southern Drakensberg.

St. Lucia

Wild and largely unspoilt (hippopotami roam the streets at night), nature lovers can marvel at the area’s large populations of hippos, crocodiles and other wildlife. Apart from the wetlands areas, the area also offers pristine beaches and sensational scuba diving.

Pilgrim’s Rest

As much as the town itself is interesting and quirky…the town is on Mpumalanga’s picturesque Panorama route, which boasts with some of the most majestic scenery on earth. Everyone should see the view from God’s Window at least once in their lives.

 Greyton

Little more than an hour’s drive from Cape Town is the picturesque village of Greyton. Founded in 1854, visitors can unwind and step back in time as they stroll through the village’s oak-lined lanes, past free-roaming cows and donkeys.

You can read the full list of the 25 dorpies HERE.

What do you think guys, have they missed a few little pearlers or punted some dumps? Some of those wee spots are a great escape from the hustle and bustle but we’ll probably stick to the big bad city for now.

Our thanks to Willem.

[source:savisas]