The colourful sales of the surfers in the foreground, behind them flat houses with roofs that shine in the sun and in the background the superior table mountain on which the mass of clouds above precipitate: the view of Cape Town is definitely one of the most famous city images in the world. On the west coast of South Africa, Cape Town was founded as the first city in the country in the 17th century- this is why the city is also known as the “mother city”
Not too far from the coast is the oldest and one of the most well preserved buildings in South Africa: the star shaped “Castle of Good Hope”. The castle was originally built as a defense for the first settlers and now houses 3 museums, the Good Hope Gallery, the Military Museum and the William-Fehr-Collection. In addition, the Company’s Garden which dates back to the time the castle was founded: City founder Jan Riebeeck started the garden originally as a vegetable patch which provided supplies for the sea-farers on their way to India. In the meantime, many exotic plants, ponds and foliage have been added along with a fragrance garden and many cafes. On the edge of the garden you will also find two further museums- all of which can be easily reached in your car hire.
North of the city centre you will find the most important entertainment quarter of Cape Town: The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront which can be easily reached in your car hire. Earlier it was a neglected, derelict district but now it offers a huge choice of over 40 restaurants, pubs, shops and cinemas. A further hotspot to go out in and party is Long Street – those of you that like the finer things in life will definitely get their monies worth here.
Cape Town is also well-known for water-sports and for beach holidays. The Blouberg Beach in the north is the meeting place for surfers from all over the world. From here, you have the best view of the city and of the Table Mountain. For those of you that simply just want to lie in the sun or perhaps paddle in the warm (19 degrees) Atlantic water, you will find the most beautiful beaches in the south- in Camps Bay and Clifton. Now and then, holiday makers may even get a visit from penguins!
Indeed, all of the sights are outdone by the huge symbol of the city: The Table Mountain. 1.062 metres high and on the plateau you will find 1,400 different types of plants- that is more than you will find in the whole of Great Britain! 12 hiking routes with different levels of difficulty lead to the summit. Due to the fact that the weather can be very changeable around the Table Mountain, hikers should inform themselves of the weather conditions before attempting to go up. There is also another option if you don’t fancy climbing up there: Approximately every 5 minutes a cable car takes visitors up to the level of 1,000 metres high.
During the journey, the cars turn offering each visitor the opportunity to enjoy a breath-taking view that can only be beaten by a view from the top of the summit. On clear days, you can see as far as the border out into the distant countryside. On the side of the water, you will get a view of the legendary island: Robben Island.
Nelson Mandela spent 18 years on this prison island. Today the island belongs to one of UNESCO’s World Cultural Heritages. The guided tours through the museum located on the island are led my former inmates. Also, the water around the island is interesting: Here and on the nearby Smits Reef has a colourful under-water world which attracts lots of snorkelers.
On the eastern slopes if Table Mountain you will find the largest Botanical Garden in the world. 9,000 plants grow in the Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden. In addition to this, there is also a herb garden, a rockery and a hedge made from wild almond trees. The garden is particularly beautiful between August and October when spring begins in the southern hemisphere.
For those of you that have car hire should certainly travel along the N1 to the Winelands: The cities of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl are the birthplaces of the South African vineyards. For over 300 years internationally acclaimed wines have been cultivated and pressed. In order to take a trip through the wide valleys, the pine forests, impressive mountain formations and sleepy villages- you should definitely give yourself a day to get round it all.
50 kilometres (31miles) south of Cape Town, you will find the Cape of Good Hope- the most south westerly point of Africa. Along the coast you will find bizarre cliff landscape that go well below the water. In the past, the dangerous rocks, high winds and rough seas have brought around 3,000 ships to their doom.
Visit the founding city of South Africa - once you have been to the wonderful city of Cape Town- you will never forget!
