Discovering Culture and History on a South African Holiday
With close to 2 million visitors a year, South
Africa's capital city, Cape Town, is fast becoming one of the largest tourist
hotspots in the world. The country's great exchange rate offers a great value
holiday for your money, and coupled with the fact that it's in the same time
zone as the UK - so British tourists don't suffer the effects of jet lag - have
both contributed to the popularity of South Africa; not to mention the stunning
scenery and attractions within Cape Town.
For those travelling to Cape Town, a visit to the Cape Winelands is an absolute
must as the region is one full of breathtaking vistas and majestic mountain
backdrops, while also being steeped in rich culture and history. Rolling
vineyards and quaint Cape Dutch homesteads await visitors, as well as
award-wining wine farms offering some of the region’s best wines - the perfect
accompaniment to the delicious dishes that are available.
The wine farms of Stellenbosch are the closest in distance to Cape Town and are
within a 45 minute drive of the city centre. This is the most well known wine
region and home to the first official wine route in the area, founded in 1971.
A variety of cellars, producing some of the country's most acclaimed wines are
located in the town. Stellenbosch is also a university town and the oak-lined
Dorp Street is home to museums and galleries, as well as many student cafes and
restaurants, leaving you with a plethora of cultural and historical attractions
to explore during your visit.
Wine tasting, cellar tours and stopping to enjoy the scenic beauty at the
various wine farms could easily take a day or more, so it is advisable to have
a rough idea of where you would like to go before you set out. Many of the wine
estates have become very tourist orientated in recent years, offering guided
tours, gift shops and restaurants while at some of the small estates you may
end up sitting in a rustic cellar sipping wines with the wine maker himself!
With the current, favourable exchange rate, fine dining in Cape Town is
something everyone can enjoy, with a plethora of restaurants and cafes (often
run by top international chefs) offering delicious dishes at a great price -
from fresh Mediterranean flavours to exotic Asian spices, local Cape Malay
dishes and traditional African meals. Being a city that's surrounded by the
ocean, it goes without saying that Cape Town specialises in seafood
restaurants, with crayfish, giant prawns and fresh sushi being just a few popular
dishes in the region. Juicy steaks and African venison accompanied by sun
ripened, seasonal vegetables are also mainstays of menus across Cape Town. As
well as the delicious food on offer, more often than not, the location of the
restaurant itself will offer superb views and a memorable ambiance.
Of course, it's not just the wining and dining that travellers visit Cape Town
for. Table Mountain is Cape Town's most prominent feature and is a world famous
landmark. Sculpted from sandstone, this huge mountain is visible from almost
everywhere in the city. 600,000 tourists ascend the 1086 metres of the mountain
by cable car annually to enjoy the unparalleled views of Cape Town and the
beaches that surround it and it's a must for any visitor to the city.
The V & A Waterfront is South Africa's most visited attraction. Situated in
the working harbour of Cape Town, the Waterfront offers a myriad of shopping,
dining and entertainment opportunities. Lit up beautifully at night with Table
Mountain looking down on the harbour, the Waterfront is a great place to sit
with a cocktail and take in the scenery and stunning ocean views that South
Africa is famous for. A number of restaurants and cafes, offering everything
from light snacks to fine dining, line the Waterfront.
So whether you're going to enjoy the wine, the culture or the scenery, South Africa holidays offer something for everyone and, as
the weather gets colder in the UK, it's the perfect time to consider a trip to
Cape Town as summer in South Africa is just beginning.
About the Author: Adam Singleton writes for a digital
marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said
agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered
professional content.
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