Celebrating the Magic of the Garden Route

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BROWSE PREVIOUS ISSUES OF MY GARDEN ROUTE LIFE BELOW:
MY GARDEN ROUTE LIFE
DECEMBER 2025 PRINT PUBLICATION

As the year draws to a close and the Garden Route hums with festive energy, we’re reminded that the true magic of this place lies not just in its beauty, but in its people. Kindness, community, and a shared love for this extraordinary region are the threads that tie this issue together.

Inside, you’ll find stories celebrating that spirit: From the soul-stirring magic of Swartvlei Country Estate near Sedgefield to the stylish new Milkwood Grove guest residence in Wilderness. Spoil yourself and spend a night at Oceans Villa on the beach or Fairy Knowe hotel, our favourite riverside retreat. Play a round of golf and stay over to watch the sun rise from the dramatic cliffs of Pinnacle Point golf estate.

Shop handcrafted treasures by local artisans, artists and authors featured in our festive gift guide with a reminder from Dr Jon that sometimes the best gifts come wrapped in kindness. Skin Logic talks about skincare and aging gracefully while Ez invites you and the kids to dig in and plant a succulent corner. Keeping little people busy isn’t easy, so check out our adventure guide for holiday fun. Whether you’re taking a hike, paddling with Eden Adventures, paragliding with Cloudbase Paragliding, or bouncing your way through Elevate Action Centre, the fun starts here.

After 25 years, Mike Said is back in the Garden Route, firing up the grill in Mossel Bay at Steak, the world’s smallest grill room. And speaking of flavour, don’t miss VDM Bistro’s dreamy dishes made with soft cheeses from the award-winning Farm Hill Dairy, and be sure to visit some of the Garden Route’s favourite foodie spots like The Girls in Wilderness, Hoekwil Country Cafe and The Lookout Deck in Plett.

To our brilliant photographers and our “stylists & models” (yes, we mean you, the real people of the Garden Route), thank you for showing up with at least 20 wardrobe changes crammed into beach bags. Thank you to Katya for being such a super star and to Bill and Shani for jumping in, cameras ready, mud flying. And to horse whisperers, Mark, Adele, and Shimmi, thanks for the wildest Sunday splash we’ve had in ages.. You are the magic. And of course, thanks to Pete for taking care of dinner, and the 3am wake-up call so I could meet the December deadline.

To our advertisers, thank you for believing in us. Your support fuels our initiative helping to celebrate the people and places that make the Garden Route extraordinary.

To our readers, please support the hardworking locals of the Garden Route 101 Recommended Business Network. They are the heartbeat of our towns, providing jobs, working long hours with passion and commitment while quietly making a difference to our region.

Holidaymakers, thank you for choosing the Garden Route for your getaway. Not ready to leave? Make it permanent, let one of our featured real estate agents help you find your forever home and start a new chapter in 2026.

Finally; Huge congrats to Suzuki, Louvain, and the Jimny crew, now Guinness World Record holders! Proof that when the Garden Route rallies, magic happens.

From all of us at Garden Route 101, happy new year, may your holidays be merry, your braais legendary, and may 2026 be the kind of year that brings laughter, love and just enough mischief to stir your soul.

Here’s to the Fine Art of Living Well!

Tracey Pharoah
Editor - My Garden Route Life