Weekends away in and around Gauteng

Tired of spending your weekends mooching around the mall, fighting for your patch of green in an urban park, or slouching on the couch watching DVDs? Well then, pack your bags, grab your kids and take the first highway out of town.Gauteng, the country's smallest province, is the ideal gateway to a staggering variety of weekend destinations. You can stay within its borders, or easily access neighbouring Mpumalanga, North West, Limpopo or Free State. Packed with information highlighting the attractions of 147 getaways, Weekends Away In and Around Gauteng is the perfect companion for families, starry-eyed lovers, anglers, adventure seekers, spa fans, game viewers and history buffs. Plush country hotels, intimate guesthouses, rugged mountain retreats, serene spa lodges, wildlife sanctuaries, fishing estates, and cosy self-catering cottages beckon.The entries are conveniently organised by travel time from the landmark Nelson Mandela Bridge in Jozi, and the maximum car ride is about four hours.Diane Coetzer is an avid traveller and award-winning journalist. As well as being the contributing music editor to Rolling Stone magazine, her work has appeared in many publications. She lives in Johannesburg with her partner and four children.