Cape
Town and Peninsula
Cape Town’s secret attraction
to international visitors lies
in its people, warm, inviting
and always willing to share their
culture, cuisine and country with
anyone willing to come and visit.
As with Zanzibar on the east coast
of Africa, the Cape still reflects
the influences of the many nations
that have staked a claim to her.
Dutch, French and British influences
are seen in the architecture of
old mansions and historic monuments
scattered throughout Cape Town
and surrounds.
Fishing has sustained the villages
and local industries for centuries
and many a fishing boat has been
launched from the sandy beaches,
rocky shores and harbors that
make up this geographically diverse
coastline. In the winter season,
whales seek the shelter of the
cliffs and bays along the Atlantic
shoreline, slapping their tails
and breaching, creating mighty
crashing blows amongst the waves
in a spectacular display. Dolphins
and seals join in on the fun while
the little guys in tuxedos, the
African Penguins strut their stuff
on Boulders Beach, a delightful
natural destination for families
and children. Boulders Beach is
one of the few sites in the world
where these shy little penguins
can be viewed within touching
distance from newly constructed
boardwalks. The colony started
with only two breeding pairs in
1982 and has grown over the years
to an astounding three thousand.
The Cape’s dry summers
and wet winters are ideal for
tourists and the wine industry.
Situated in the southern hemisphere,
summer in the Cape coincides with
winter in the northern hemisphere,
offering a further irresistible
attraction to international visitors
wishing to escape from the winter
season in Europe and the USA.
Table Mountain
A trip by cableway to Table Mountain’s
flat summit provides panoramic
views across the ocean, along
the shore and across the city.
For the more energetic, several
hiking trails lead to the top
of the 3500 foot (1,070 m) mountain.
Trails across the mountain top
lead away from the busy cableway
station and restaurant. Walk through
misty wisps of cloud (Table Mountain’s
“table cloth”) and
enjoy the peaceful ambiance high
above the city.
The Victoria and Alfred
Waterfront
After a busy day of sightseeing
and activities, the V&A Waterfront
is a perfect place for dinner,
relaxation or shopping. It is
a haven of shops, restaurants
and taverns, situated on the edge
of Cape Town’s historic
harbor. The original buildings
have been kept and restored and
new ones built in a Victorian
style to keep the ambience of
an old working harbor. The waterfront
is South Africa’s most visited
tourist destination and provides
entertainment for the whole family
including eleven cinemas and an
IMAX, the Two Oceans Aquarium,
live entertainment and scenic
helicopter flips. Also available
is a craft market and scenic boat
trips around the harbor and along
the coast.
Adventure activities
This is a destination too, to
satiate the most ardent adventure
seeker. Snorkel the clear waters
and numerous wrecks of the western
shoreline of the peninsula; hike
mountain trails; abseil or climb
the challenging cliffs of Table
Mountain. The long list of adventure
activities includes base jumping,
Great White Shark dives, surfing,
kite surfing, paragliding and
mountain biking.
The Cape Winelands
The Cape is internationally recognized
as one of the finest wine producing
regions of the world. Wine growers
have been practicing their trade
in and around Cape Town since
1659. Today there are over three
hundred wineries in the region.
Most of the estates are open to
the public for wine tasting. Apart
from the skill developed over
centuries, winemakers have to
attribute some of their success
to sunny mountain slopes, cool
sea breezes and fertile soil of
the Cape. A day trip to any of
the wine farms is possible since
they are within close proximity
of Cape Town, with some a mere
20 minutes drive from the City
Center.
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