Since the disintegration of the apartheid, Cape Town has ascended dramatically to prominence amongst the world’s most popular tourism destinations, with swathes of backpackers, honeymooners and grey nomads alike flocking to South Africa’s primate city. Indeed, Cape Town hotels are now commonplace, with almost 60,000 beds spread across the city’s 2690 accommodation establishments. But what does the city offer to those who venture to the bottom corner of the planet’s second largest continent?
Table Mountain
The city’s monolithic icon looks like God’s last creation before his spirit level broke, a dramatically bump-less plateau that manages to sneak into the background of almost every photo ever taken of Cape Town. Those more bothered about the view and less about the way it is reached can ride the cable car, while others can earn the vista, along with a justified feeling of achievement, by walking. The trek typically takes half a day, and can be tackled by anyone with an average level of fitness (by which we mean anyone who doesn’t run out of breath when they bend to tie their shoelace).
Wine
South Africa sits at the forefront of the current boom in New World Wines, and Cape Town is surrounded by beautifully verdant vineyards that inspire a whimper of pleasure even from those who care not a jot for wine. But they’re in the minority, of course. For the rest of us, there’s a plenitude of opportunities to whet the tastes buds with some of the tastiest grape juice ever fermented.
Water
Cape Town, like many of the world’s greatest settlements, looks out upon a great expanse of water; the Atlantic Ocean, to be precise. This, in turn, means there’s a plethora of water-based activities to keep every member of the family distracted. BE WARNED, however: you may think of nothing but parched earth and intense rays of sunshine when it comes to Africa, but the waters lapping upon Cape Town’s shore are freezing. Still, the beaches are stunning.
The City
It’s not just location that marks Cape Town out as a leading world destination; the city itself is a thriving melting pot of culture and activity. Myriad shops crowd the metopolis’ streets, rubbing shoulders with bars, clubs and restaurants which make the wine and fine dining in Cape Town both widespread and fantastic. In addition, the city’s architecture is eclectic and rewarding to the traveller who enjoys exploring places on foot.
The Peninsula
If you’re that far towards the south of South Africa, you may as well go a little further and tour the peninsula. You’ll be glad you did. You’ll see penguins – yes, real black and white penguins – as well as Cape Point which sits next to the charmingly-named Cape of Good Hope. Be sure to embark on a walk or two during your day, for the true value in exploring the peninsula is the scenery, not just the license to say ‘I’ve been there’.