Cape
Town and the Peninsula |
Cape Town is by common
consent one of the world's most beautiful cities. Dominated
by the world famous landmark Table Mountain and blessed
with a spectacular coastline and a Mediterranean-type
climate, Cape Town has a variety of attractions to excite
every visitor. Set between two oceans, the "Tavern of
the Seas" is an amalgam of European, Eastern (Malay)
and African cultures, whose influence may be seen in
the architecture, lifestyle, music, food and wine, customs
and way of life of this unique city.
| - The 12 day
Best of South Africa tour that offers a bit of everything
that this diverse and beautiful country has to offer... |
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,
via the cableway, for stunning views of the city, its
seaboard and nearby Lion's Head from decks that hang
over the mountain's edge. Call 021 424 5148 for weather
reports and information. If you have the time, a walk
up the mountain from Kirstenbosch or Constantia is recommended.
But keep an eye on the weather.
This workingharbour, shopping-
and entertainment complex is South Africa's top tourist
attraction. While there, visit the Two Oceans Aquarium,
with more than 300 species, including sharks, turtles,
penguins and seals; and the Imax theatre.
Take a drive or tour to Cape Point
via Clifton, Llandudno, Hout Bay, and Chapman's Peak
(it it's open) and Kommetjie for breathtaking sea
views. Return via Simon's Town (famed for its penguins),
Fish Hoek and the Constantia vineyards to complete
a circuit of the spectacular Peninsula.
one of the
world's finest, offers over 5000 plant species in
its gardens and hothouses.
formerly the prison of Nelson Mandela and other black
political dissidents. A trip to the island is a sombre,
sobering but unforgettable experience. (021 419 1300)
one of the oldest and most beautiful wine estates,
where winemaking in South Africa began.
Take a walk through the first garden
in South Africa (1652) and see the Houses of Parliament,
the Tuynhuis, Cape office of South Africa's President,
and other splendid Cape Dutch buildings.
This five-pointed fortress, still
a military headquarters but also housing a museum,
gallery and restaurant, is the oldest occupied building
in South Africa.
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offer conventional ways of travelling around the
Peninsula. The train ride from the city centre to Fish
Hoek and Simon's Town for a swim in False Bay is worth
experiencing (phone Metrorail on 0800 656 463). The
Golden Arrow Bus Company operates a service to city
suburbs and tourism sites (0800 656 463).
There are several special services for tourists. The
double-decker, topless City Explorer (021 511 1784)
offers the official see-the-city tour (2hrs) (Call Cape
Town Tourism 021 426 4260). Besides several other airport
shuttles, there is a service to the City Centre as well
as transport between the V&A Waterfront and the City
Centre. Phone Cape Town Sprinter (082 781 8103 / 021
982 5815) or Rikki’s Intercity (021 423 4888).
Major shopping centres include
- Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
- Canal Walk
- Cavendish Square
- Tygervalley
Craft- and fleamarkets may be found at
- Greenmarket Square
- Waterfront Craft Market & The Red Shed
- Hout Bay harbour
- Kalk Bay
- Simon's Town Waterfront
- for warm water and lots of bare sand - Muizenberg
- for safe bathing for kids - St James, Fish Hoek,
Boulders
- for cold water and lots of sand - Noordhoek, Blaauwbuy,
Hout Bay
- for beautiful bodies - Clifton
- for nudists - Sandy Bay
Every newcomer to Cape Town should stop off at the superb
Cape Town Tourism Visitor Centre at The Pinnacle, cnr
Burg/Castle streets in the city centre.
This one-stop information centre offers maps, literature
and brochures on accommodation, tours, events, wining
and dining, boat trips etc as well as international
telephone and internet facilities. A multi-lingual staff
is on duty.
A new one-stop Cape Town Tourism office will open at
the Waterfront Clock Tower.
Cape Town Tourism and Internet Cafè (021 426 4260)
or info@cape-town.org
Open 8-6pm weekdays; 8 30- 6pm Sat; 9-1pm Sun
If you have limited time, your best bet would be one
of the many half and full day tours of the Peninsula
on offer. Besides the conventional offerings of the
leading operators, there are several township and cultural
tours that give a taste of Cape Town's turbulent past
and present.
| Springbok Atlas Safaris |
021 460 4700 |
| Cape Rainbow Tours |
021 551 5465 |
| Mother City Tours |
021 448 3817 |
| Sunchaser Tours |
082 460 7142 |
| Big Blue Sky Tours |
021 712 8020 |
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| Topless Tours |
021 511 1784 |
| Heritage Tours |
| Grass Route Tours |
021 706 1006 (townships) |
| Thuthuka Tours |
021 439 2061 (townships) |
| Tourcape.com |
021 696 1659 (slave routes) |
| Cape Caper Tours |
021 448 3117 (as above) |
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| Robben Island Museum Experience |
021 419 1300 |
| Boat Cruises |
| Circe Launches (from Hout Bay) |
021 790 1040 |
| Drumbeat Charters (from Hout Bay) |
021 438 9208 |
| Table Mountain Cableway |
021 424 8181 |
| Groote Schuur Hospital |
021 404 9111 |
| Red Cross Childrens Hospital |
021 658 5111 |
| Rape Crisis |
021 447 9762 |
| Sea Rescue |
021 449 3500 |
| Computicket |
0861 400 500 |
| Weather |
082 162 |
Links to Useful
Sites
www.cape-town.org
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