Paarl (map) is a town of such contrast. The guesthouse that we stayed at was leafy, green, and beautiful - but just down the road the town's main road was unappealing and looked as though it was stuck in the '70s.

This really is a beautiful town, but if you travel the 60 kilometers from the city, don't expect to be wowed by the main parts of town. Rather look to the pretty places off the main road and on the outskirts of town. :)