Cape Town, with magnificent Table Mountain as its backdrop, has forged an
enviable reputation as one of the world's premier tourism destinations.
Not only has the Mother City breathtaking scenery, exquisite beaches, Robben
Island, world-class golf courses, superb restaurants and a rich history, making
it a sophisticated and cosmopolitan destination, but the province also has
other treasures to explore. The historic winelands can be enjoyed on the Wine
Route, the coastal and mountainous beauty on the Garden Route, Cape Point is
where the Atlantic and Indian oceans meet, quaint fishing villages are worth a
visit, the colourful Coon Carnival is a spectacle to behold and whale-watching
can be enjoyed May to November and at some places throughout the year, just to
name a few exciting activities in this, the "fairest" province of
them all.
The climate in the province is typically Mediterranean, with warm, dry
summers and mild, moist winters. The exception to the rule is the arid
semi-desert of the Karoo, where dry winters and low summer rainfall prevail.
Near the coast, summer temperature rises from 15 to 27 degrees Celsius. Inland
temperatures are some 3-5 degrees higher. Coastal winters see the mercury
dropping to a mild 7 at night and rising to 18 by day. Away from the beach,
temperatures are 5-22 degrees Celsius.
Cape Town offers a great variety of domestic and international goods
including gold, diamonds, gem stones, leather goods, African curios, art,
antiques, ceramics, fashion items, brandy and the world-famous Cape wines. The
V&A Waterfront has a variety of shops which are open 7 days with late
trading hours and at Greenmarket Square you can shop for almost anything in a
typical flea market environment. Eat excellent seafood along the coast including
"snoek", oysters, crayfish, lobster, calamari and mussels; also try
Karoo lamb and Cape Malay cuisine.
Table Mountain
The summit of Cape Town's world-famous landmark is 1,086m above sea level
and was proclaimed a national monument in 1957. Weather permitting, visitors
can reach the summit by revolving cableway, which allows a 380 degree panoramic
view of this beautiful part of the world. Hiking trails of different degrees
can be taken, but experienced guides are strongly advised. Don't miss Lion's
Head and Signal Hill.
Robben Island
One of the most significant historical sites in South Africa, Robben
Island gained notoriety as a jail for those considered dangerous to the
apartheid authorities including, for more than two decades, the former president
of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, the island's most famous former prisoner.
Tours to the island and visits to the Island Museum can be arranged depending
on the weather.
Cape Town
One of the top city destinations in the world, Cape Town has the history,
atmosphere, natural beauty, modern amenities and attractions to keep visitors
enthralled. It's top tourist draw is undoubtedly the Victoria and Alfred
Waterfront with its world-class Two Oceans Aquarium, museums, restaurants, boat
trips, shopping centres, hotels and entertainment offering a wide variety of
activities. Don't miss the beaches e.g. Clifton and Camps Bay, Castle of Good
Hope, Ratanga Junction, walking the city's streets where you will discover many
historical buildings, museums and art collections, as well as Kirstenbosch
National Botanical Garden on the outskirts.
Central & Klein Karoo
The Klein Karoo lies between the Outeniqua, Langeberg and Swartberg
mountain ranges, it is an area of contrasting landscapes, magnificent sunsets and
ostrich-producing Oudtshoorn. The Central Karoo is dryer and more vast, is the
main sheep farming region in the country, is world-renowned for its fossils and
its capital Beaufort-West was the birthplace of heart-surgeon Dr. Christiaan
Barnard. Don't miss eating Karoo Lamb at one of the fine restaurants.
West Coast
The West Coast is highly popular amongst photographers, artists,
adventurers and bird watchers for its unspoilt beaches, magnificent mountain
ranges, spectacular spring wild flowers, San rock art and areas attracting
large numbers of birds. Many small, picturesque villages dot the coastline, but
don't miss Darling for the flowers, Langebaan, Saldanha Bay, Citrusdal,
Clanwilliam and surrounds, Vanrhynsdorp for the rock art and Elands Bay for surfing.
Cape Peninsula
The Cape Peninsula stretches from Cape Town's city centre to Cape Point,
where the Atlantic and the Indian oceans meet. Along this coast you will find
the Western Cape's famous beaches e.g. Camps Bay and Clifton and the nudist beach
of Sandy Bay. Visit the enchanting fishing villages of Hout Bay with its famous
Mariner's Wharf and Simon's Town with its Boulders beach and seal colony.
Activities include bathing, diving, fishing, hiking, visiting museums, forts,
art routes, shopping and enjoying the excellent seafood on offer. Carved into
solid rock, Chapman's Peak Drive is one of the most spectacular mountain drives
in the world, starting in Hout Bay and ending at Noordhoek allowing you to
enjoy the panoramic scenery at several look-out points.
The Winelands
Home to many of the country's best, award-winning wines, the region
features vineyards and fruit orchards in beautiful green valleys surrounded by
mountain ranges and dotted with historic towns and villages. Towns that are a
must-see include Somerset West, Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl,
world-famous for their whites, reds, sherries, ports and brandies. Wine routes
and brandy routes can be explored including tastings along the way.
Breede River Valley
This is the largest fruit and wine producing valley of the Western Cape
and is the country's leading racehorse breeding area. The area stretches from
Gouda in the west, McGregor in the south, Montagu in the east to Tankwa-Karoo
National Park in the north. This is an area of magnificant views,
panoramic lanscapes and towering cliffs, crystal-clear streams, an abundance of
trees and indigenous flora such as fynbos and proteas.
The Garden Route
The Garden Route, with its spectacular scenic beauty, runs parallel to
the Cape coastline featuring lakes, mountains, tall indigenous forests,
amber-coloured rivers, golden beaches and towns along the way. Meandering
trails are followed by hikers, the forest invites long, leisurely drives, and
the lakes and rivers lend themselves to swimming, boating and fishing. Must-see
towns along the way include the Garden Route's gateway, George, Wilderness,
Sedgefield, Knysna with its famous Heads and oysters and Plettenberg Bay. The
area is phenomenal for adventure seekers and nature lovers.
The Overberg
Hermanus offers the best whale viewing from land in the world with a
cliff path stretching from one side of the town to the other and a whale
watching hotline. Walker Bay is a nursery for the great Southern Right Whale
and don't miss Bientang's Cave where you can taste excellent seafood inside a
cave and view the whales. Don't miss the Harold Porter National Botanical
Garden with over 5 hectares of cultivated fynbos garden and 195 hectares of
natural fynbos; the delightful fishing village Arniston, the southernmost tip
of Africa - the Cape Agulhas Lighthouse Museum, Caledon for its Wild Flower
Show in September and hot mineral springs and the charming colonial town of
Swellendam.
If you have any questions or comments please e-mail me on gerald@12234455.co.za or call me on
27-0720390184.
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