| The Free State Province of South Africa is dry, but | | | | The Battlefields: |
| far from dull, the Free State with its vast open spaces | | | | Many historic sites related to the Anglo-Boer War are |
| and cloudless blue skies offers those who like to | | | | to be found in the Free State. Explore 13 battlefield |
| explore, literally and figuratively, the ideal canvas. | | | | sites, 8 military monuments, 2 war museums and 3 |
| Here outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy birding, game | | | | war and concentration camp cemeteries. Some of the |
| viewing, trophy hunting, hiking, horse riding, biking, 4x4 | | | | main battles of war in 1900 are: Paardeberg, Poplar |
| off-road driving, river rafting, fly-fishing, camping, | | | | Grove, Driefontein, Sannaspos, Mostertshoek, |
| climbing, spelunking or just relaxing in its more than 80 | | | | Jammerbergdrift, Sand River, Biddulphsberg, Yeomanry |
| parks and reserves, such as the scenic Golden Gate | | | | Hill, Roodewal, Surrender Hill and Doornkraal. |
| Highlands National Park. | | | | Xhariep / Gariep: |
| History buffs have many significant sites to delve into | | | | Meaning 'Great River'; a vast open grassland fed by |
| and those with geological interests will marvel at the | | | | the 2000km Gariep Dam offering travellers endless |
| meteorite-impact site at Vredefort, the world's oldest | | | | vistas of open blue skies, starry nights and unpolluted |
| crater. | | | | air; land of farms, parks and reserves ideal for hunters |
| CLIMATE: | | | | and eco-tourists alike. |
| The Free State is hot in summer (Dec-Feb) when | | | | Towns of Thabo Mofutsanyana: |
| most of the rain falls, but can be very cold in winter | | | | Clarens is a picturesque town described as the "Jewel |
| (Apr-Jul) with heavy frost over most of the province. | | | | of the Free State", here artists and art galleries abound |
| Snow is often recorded on the eastern mountains and | | | | and photographers find the scenery a magnet in |
| occasionally over the rest of the region. | | | | autumn and spring; Memel is fast becoming a birding |
| SHOPPING: | | | | mecca with over 350 species including many 'specials' |
| Traditional dress; woven baskets; silk painting; bead | | | | and 15 Red Data listed species, other attractions are |
| work; 'mampoer' (alcohol distilled from fruit); red meat, | | | | the scenery and the spectacular Seekoeivlei Wetlands |
| game and 'biltong' (dried meat); cherry or asparagus | | | | floodplain; Ficksburg is filled with adventure options |
| products; original art; beautiful handcrafted items from | | | | from the usual hiking, fishing and game activities to the |
| Phuthaditjhaba; mohair rugs and sandstone products. | | | | unusual such as altitude scuba diving (2650m above |
| TOP TEN ATTRACTIONS DESCRIPTION: | | | | sea level) and ox-wagon adventures! |
| Golden Gate: | | | | Eastern Highlands: |
| Highlands National Park In the Maluti Mountains, named | | | | Breathtaking scenery in pristine area with |
| after the golden sandstone cliffs; the scenery is | | | | snow-capped mountains, densely vegetated valleys |
| magnificent incl. the imposing Brandwag rock and the | | | | and wild gorges; ideal for romantic hide-aways, |
| climate invigorating; staying over is a popular option for | | | | trout-fishing, bird watching and hiking; don't miss the |
| humans and animals alike in this highlands habitat | | | | Bushmen paintings. |
| Bloemfontein: | | | | Vaal River: |
| The 'City of Roses', Bloemfontein boasts cultural and | | | | The inland water mecca of South Africa offering |
| political significance, featuring sandstone architecture, | | | | boundless water sport opportunities such as white |
| important museums and monuments and a busy | | | | water rafting, relaxed sailing, powerboating and water |
| events calendar; don't miss the Franklin Game | | | | skiing; game farms, accommodation facilities, camping |
| Reserve, only one in the world completely surrounded | | | | sites and a casino also feature; Deneysville and Jim |
| by a city; the Macufe Festival in Sep; the Loch Logan | | | | Fouche Resort near Oranjeville are major venues. |
| Waterfront; the historical township jazz performances | | | | Lejweleputswa (Free State Gold Fields): |
| and the War Museum. | | | | Go on underground mine tours of some of the |
| Parys and the Vredefort Dome: | | | | deepest mines in the world on the Goldfields Route; |
| Named after Paris, Parys is situated on the Vaal River | | | | visit Welkom, one of the few cities in the world |
| in the Vredefort Dome - a crater caused by a | | | | planned to completion before building where you can |
| massive meteorite which hit earth about 250 million | | | | go on a trip to the world's deepest wine cellar at 857m |
| years ago; in Parys, don't miss the Golf Island in the | | | | below the earth's surface at St Helena Mine and see |
| middle of the Vaal and other water activities and at | | | | the Gold Museum in the city as well as Phakisa |
| Vredefort, adventure junkies can go on hiking routes, | | | | Freeway, one of the top 5 motor racing circuits in the |
| see untouched San paintings and ruins of iron age | | | | world; Virginia was home to the richest gold reefs in |
| settlements, rock climb and abseil; the 200km Dome is | | | | 1946 and is a nature lover's paradise. |
| best seen from the air. | | | | |