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Cape Town Holidays, Hotels & Travel Guide
Travel guide to hotels & holidays in Cape Town
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Cape Town Holidays Overview
A guide to holidays in Cape Town - The lure of Cape Town lies in its spectacular
setting and the beauty of its natural environment, as well as the
rich cultural diversity of its people.
It has
had a long and turbulent history and the effects of Apartheid still
linger in the minds and hearts of the people. Transformation
however has led to a feeling of hope in this new 'Rainbow Nation',
which can be experienced in the cosmopolitan city centre of Cape
Town. Flower sellers, business executives, parking attendants,
office workers and shoppers all rub shoulders in a setting of both
historical and modern buildings, backed by the city's most famous
landmark, Table Mountain. The colourful Malay Quarter, the remains
of District Six, St George's Cathedral, Government Avenue and the
old Castle are historically significant, while world-class African
and international restaurants tempt travellers with their culinary
delights. Although an African city, Cape Town has a marked European
influence and visitors can experience the excitement of Africa from
the comforts of First World surroundings. Cape
Town's unique setting means that it can be enjoyed from various
vantage points: Table Mountain and Lion's Head provide breathtaking
vistas over the city bowl and the Cape peninsula with its beautiful
beaches; trips to Robben Island offer a dramatic sweep of scenery
across to Table Bay; and harbour tours and old buildings await
exploration at the cosmopolitan Waterfront. Many scenic routes
meander along magnificent stretches of coastline and inland terrain
leading to special places like Cape Point, the meeting place of the
cold Benguela and warm Mozambique currents, and Chapman's Peak
boasts one of the most picturesque drives in the country.
It is a city with four distinct seasons, each working its
particular magic on Cape Town and bringing with it a flood of
associations - summer and white sandy beaches, autumn's crisp
colours, the ferocity of stormy seas in winter, and spring's show
of Cape 'fynbos' flowers. From culture, history
and scenery - to an unforgettable experience. This is a special
place with much to contribute towards its growing reputation as a
favoured travel destination.
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Cape Town
holidays - Top Places To Go
1. Table Mountain
Tafelberg Road
www.tablemountain.net |
What is it? Cape Town's most popular tourist attraction
is also its most famous physical feature, the flat-topped mountain
that stands sentinel over the city. Table Mountain has been
proclaimed a nature reserve, protecting its diverse floral species,
some unique to its slopes. The views from the top of the mountain
are quite spectacular. A Swiss-built rotating cable car carries
visitors smoothly up the mountain and back. The mountain-top is
equipped with a restaurant and small gift shop, as well as numerous
pathways and vantage points. It is possible to climb the mountain
via different routes, but care should be taken by inexperienced
hikers because Cape Town is prone to sudden weather changes. The
walk up can take anything between one and four hours depending on
the route and level of fitness. Route maps can be bought at the
cable-car station. It is always best to check the website or call
the weatherline to see if the cable car is in
operation.
Hours of Operation: Cable car operates daily (weather permitting) every
10-15 minutes from 8.30am to 8pm (November); 8am to 10pm (December
to January); 8.30am to 8.30pm (February); 8.30am to 7.30pm (March);
8.30am to 6.30pm (April); 8.30am to 6pm (May to mid-September);
8.30am to 7pm (16 September to October). Closed for annual
maintenance in July and August.
Phone:021 424 8181 (weatherline) or 021 424 0015 |
2. Castle of Good Hope
Buitenkant Street, opposite the Grand Parade
www.castleofgoodhope.co.za |
What is it? South Africa's oldest building, the Castle
was completed in 1679 (replacing an earlier mud and timber fort
built by the first Dutch Governor, Jan van Riebeeck). Situated
adjacent to a parking lot and bus station in Buitenkant Street, its
walls mark the original boundary of the seashore where the waves
washed up against the fortifications. Its outside aspect is
somewhat foreboding, but inside are some interesting features and
collections that have been restored, offering a good insight into
the early days of the Cape when it was the centre of social and
economic life. The castle is a pentagonal fortification with a moat
and five bastions, each named for one of the titles of the Prince
of Orange. The entrance is a good example of 17th century Dutch
Classicism, and a bell, cast in 1679 by Claude Fremy in Amsterdam,
still hangs from the original wood beams in the tower above the
entrance. The castle contains a Military Museum depicting the
conflicts that arose during the Cape's early settlement, and also
houses the William Fehr Collection of decorative arts, including
paintings, furniture and porcelain. Of interest are the dungeons,
which bear the graffiti carved by prisoners incarcerated here
centuries ago.
Hours of Operation: Daily 9am to 4pm, with tours at 11am, 12pm and 2pm
from Monday to Saturday. Self guided tours are possible with the
aid of a map, provided by the Castle
Phone:021 787 1249 |
3. Houses of Parliament
90 Plein Street, city centre (Visitor's
entrance)
www.parliament.gov.za |
What is it? East of the tree-lined pedestrian Government
Avenue, which runs through the Company Gardens at the top of
Adderley Street, lies the complex of Parliamentary buildings,
containing numerous chambers, offices and corridors. It was here
that the racial segregation policy of Apartheid rose and fell along
with the ascendancy of the National Party which made South Africa
the political pariah of the world. Visitors can now book a tour of
the legislative complex, the original section of which dates back
to 1885, a magnificent Victorian Neoclassical building. Worth
exploring, too, are the neighbouring Company Gardens that house a
range of plants and trees from around the
world.
Hours of Operation: Tours Monday to Friday 9am to 12pm
Phone:021 403 2911, or 021 403 2266 (tours), 021 403 2460
(debates) |
Cape Town
holidays - Top Events
1. Cape Town Minstrel Carnival
From 2007-01-02
To 2007-01-02
|
What is it? Every New Year, thousands of minstrels take
to the streets in a dazzling display of colourful satin uniforms,
shiny parasols, painted faces and foot-tapping banjo tunes that
accompany the traditional folk songs, many of Cape Malay origin.
The parade is known colloquially as the 'Coon Carnival' ('coon'
referring to a member of a minstrel troupe) among the predominately
Afrikaans-speaking 'coloured' community who make up the majority of
the performers. The traditional event has its origins in the 19th
century when minstrel entertainers on American cruise ships stopped
off in Cape Town; their sounds and styles were incorporated into
the New Year festivals of the newly freed Malay slaves. The
Carnival begins in the new year and the festivities continue into
January with extravagant street parades; singing, dancing, costume
competitions and marches through the streets from the central city
area of District Six.
Where is it? Streets of Cape Town and Greenpoint Stadium |
2. Mother City Queer Project (MCQP) Costume Party
From 2006-12-16
To 2006-12-16
|
What is it? Now in its 12th year, the 12-hour MCQP party
is the biggest annual gay event in South Africa, attracting a
diverse crowd of people from around the world. Each year
party-goers come in teams dressed according to the theme that
changes every year (The Circus in 2005, Comic Strip for 2006).
Costumes are usually elaborate, sexy and worn without inhibition,
and the event is immensely popular with the gay and straight
communities. Different dance arenas play various types of music to
party the night away.
Where is it? Ratanga Junction |
3. The J&B Met
From 2007-01-27
To 2007-01-27
|
What is it? One of the most prestigious and anticipated
events on Cape Town's social calendar, the J&B Met is not
only about thoroughbreds, but is a day of glamorous fashion,
entertainment and sophistication, accompanied by J&B Scotch
Whiskey. The R1.5-million prize money is in keeping with its status
as the premier horseracing event in South Africa, and the Official
After Party is a highly rated post-race event that continues the
festivities well into the early hours.
Where is it? Kenilworth Race Course |
4. Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts
From 2006-11-27
To 2007-04-02
|
What is it? Bring family and friends every Sunday
afternoon to relax on the lawns with a picnic and a glass of wine
as the sun sets behind the mountain, while listening to a mixed
selection of classical and contemporary music. The setting provides
for one of the most spectacular concert venues in South Africa, the
stage framed by the backdrop of Table Mountain and all around the
well-kept beds of the Kirstenbosch Gardens.
Where is it? Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens |
5. Spring wildflowers
From 2006-08-01
To 2006-09-30
|
What is it? The West Coast National Park incorporates the
Langebaan Lagoon and wetland areas, which are the habitat of
thousands of migratory and resident waterbirds, a rocky coastline
with some beautiful sea views and beaches, and wildlife scattered
about the interior bushland. It also encompasses the rocky Postberg
Peninsula that is carpeted in a glorious tapestry of wildflowers
every spring (open August to September only). Visitors come from
near and far to see the spectacularly colourful display that the
pre-summer season produces all along the west coast. The small town
of Darling is at the centre of the wildflower region; visitors can
walk around the surrounding wildflower reserves and real
enthusiasts can visit the Darling Wildflower Show (15-17 September
2006), where the extravagant displays include the botanical and
common names of all flowers exhibited. Call the Flower Hotline on
083 910 1028 for up-to-date information all year
round.
Where is it? Postberg Section of the West Coast National Park |
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