Known as the 'City of Saints' because of the plethora of churches in the city and inextricably linked with the annual Arts festival, held in the city since 1974, Grahamstown is just off the N2 en route from Port Elizabeth.

Marketed as the heart of Frontier Country, Grahamstown has retained the small town Victorian appeal of its founders in the early 1800s. But to most South Africans it is Grahamstown's association with the Arts Festival, fast becoming Africa's festival capital, that draws visitors by the thousands in July every year.

The festival has never closed its doors to any race, colour, sex or creed, making it a lively political and protest forum during the apartheid era. It continues to reflect the richness of South Africa's diversity and now supports the growing trend of 'collaborative' works that aim to bring about cultural unity and encourages experimental theatre in the new South Africa.

Cultural activities aside, one can also skydive, view game, fish, hang-glide, abseil and do river rafting around Grahamstown.