Visit Cape Town, South Africa

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Cape Town, South Africa was developed by the Dutch East India Company as a supply depot for ships venturing on to other parts of Africa, India and the Far East. This second most populated city in South Africa is also the seat of the country’s National Parliament. With its origins closing linked to the sea, Cape Town is situated on the shores of Table Bay on the Atlantic Ocean at the northern end of Africa’s Cape Peninsula. Europeans, initially the Dutch, first appeared in Cape Town beginning in the late 17th century but it is believed the first residents of the region were on the scene as long as 15,000 years earlier. Ancestors of the Kalahari Bushmen inhabited the area of thousands of years. Cape Town is considered by many to be South Africa’s most romantic and beautiful city and is visited by more tourists than any other city in the country. The contrast of the vibrant and modern urban centre with its many brightly painted facades against the backdrop of Table Mountain and the Cape Peninsula spine disappearing into the Atlantic Ocean is perhaps unmatched anywhere else in the world. The city skyline is rich with differing architectural styles including the Cape Dutch style, Muslim Minarets, Georgian and Victorian buildings and the wine estates heavily influenced by the French. Table Mountain is at the very heart of Cape Town and divides the city with forests and wilderness, vineyards, hiking trails and gardens mixed with appealing residential neighborhoods. The vistas from the 1,000 meter elevation crest of Table Mountain include breathtaking views of the city with the ocean beyond, a collection of over 70 other mountain peaks within the city limits, including a grouping referred to as the 12 Apostles, the vineyards of Constantia and thickly forested slopes. With such drama in the landscape it is no wonder that Capetonians and visitors alike find outdoor activities at the tops of their “To Do” lists. Mountain biking, trekking, sunbathing and picnicking are prime past times of those enjoying Cape Town’s bounty. In an around Table Mountain are a number of attractions waiting for visitor’s participation including an aerial cable car that rotates 360 degrees during the ride to the top. Visitors also find touring the Kirstenbosch National Botanic Gardens, the world’s 7thlargest botanical garden, with its native species collection to be among their favorite attractions as well as visiting Robben Island, the prison where Nelson Mandela was held for 18 years before the fall of apartheid. The prison is now a World Heritage site. The V&A Waterfront (Victoria and Alfred) with its historical monuments, buildings and active wharf is considered the most visited attraction in all of South Africa and boasts over 70 restaurants and 400 retail shops. Greenmarket Square, once the center of slave trading is now a flea market with hand crafted offerings of local artisans among the diverse offerings. Boulders Beach offers the unique possibility of swimming with endangered African Penguins. Africa’s largest aquarium, Two Oceans Aquarium, claims ragged-tooth sharks, large rays and turtles with over 300 species of fish among its exhibits. 45 minutes by car south of Cape Town is found Cape Point (also known as the Cape of Good Hope) where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet. A number of Galleries and Museums with significant collections attract visitors to Cape Town as do venues for the Performing Arts. Swimming, Surfing, Kite Surfing, Snorkeling and Wine Tasting are also frequent pursuits of visitors. Cape Town also offers Shark Cage Diving where Great White Sharks can be observed in their natural habitat by extreme sports enthusiasts. Cape Town International Airport is the second largest airport in South Africa with direct service from various points on the globe. Connecting through Johannesburg is another option that makes Cape Town easily accessible. Hire cars, taxis, buses, scooters and a local rail system are favored by travelers for moving around the city. Your dream vacation to South Africa may well start with a trip to Cape Town to explore the offerings of this dramatic city located on the shores of the Southern Atlantic Ocean. Add a trip to this cosmopolitan metropolis today to begin planning your adventure.

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