ABOUT CAPE TOWN

Location

Located at the southern tip of Africa, the beautiful city of Cape Town offers a range of holiday activities and  entertainment that rival the best in the world. The most famous, and one of the top visitor destinations in      Africa, is Cape Town’s flat topped Table Mountain. There are many more world class experiences in           Cape Town. For more general information visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape_Town

Accommodation

Accommodation in Cape Town ranges from luxury five star mansions and the most fashionable hotels to     good-value Bed and Breakfast accommodation. Capetonians pride themselves on assuring the quality of     their properties and the welcoming service that they give to their guests. The top places to stay are           comparable with the very best in the world. A selection of self-catering villas and apartments in the most     popular Cape Town destinations are show cased on www.africandreamvillas.com 

Blue Flag Beaches

The beauty of the sandy beaches along the sea shore, at the foot of Table Mountain, has been one of the    main reasons for the popularity of Cape Town as a summer holiday destination. The favourite beach suburbs with our International Tourists are Camps Bay and Clifton. These are within twenty minutes drive of the city  centre. They have plenty of accommodation, great restaurants and have been awarded the globally recognised Blue Flag status.Click on link for more information http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Flag_beach 

Weather

Because of the temperate Mediterranean climate Cape Town can be visited at any time of the year. The dry, hot sunny summers can be enjoyed from November to March. Autumn and Spring have changeable days with some wind and rain. Winter months run from June through to September when the days are cooler with more frequent wind and showers but still some lovely sunny days. The best months for a summer beach holiday are February and March. 

Film stars on location

Cape Town city is renowned for its spectacular sea and mountain views. The clear air gives a perfect light for excellent photography using the simplest camera. This has resulted in many film productions being located in the Cape Town area. Locals are used to seeing famous actors including Matt Damon, John Malkovitch and Meg Ryan around town. Check out http://showhype.com/story/matt_damon_makes_a_difference/

Nelson Mandela

Cape Town city was originally built between the harbour and the slopes of Table Mountain, where the houses had views over Table Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Since then Cape Town has spread outwards and has suburbs flowing across the Cape Flats and up the West Coast as far as the eyes can see. In the middle of Table Bay is the infamous Robben Island, the former prison of the South African hero, President Nelson Mandela. Read more on this legendary person at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nelson_Mandela

History

First discovered by Portuguese explorers, Cape Town was founded in the 1600s, by the Dutch East India Company, as a refuelling base for their ships from Europe to the East Indies, Cape Town has developed a multi-cultural and multi-racial population with a unique identity in Africa. Capetonians are a friendly and relaxed group who are very proud of their city and heritage and welcome visitors to their city. Find out more on the official Cape Town Tourism site http://www.capetown.travel

Food and Restaurants

Capetonians inherited a taste for a fusion cuisine long before “Fusion” became fashionable. The interesting blends of Eastern spices and European dishes combined with the preserved fruits and meats produced by the ‘Trekkers’ as a result of their long journeys by ox wagon into the hinterland. The high standard of Cape Town’s cuisine is reflected in the many award winning restaurants around Cape Town. Find out all the details and feedback on the Cape Town restaurants in the well researched Eat Out Guide at www.eatout.co.za. A great place to taste local foods and meet people is the Saturday morning Organic Food Market at the Biscuit Mill in Woodstock. Read feedback on news.haverford.edu/capetown…/08/…/old-biscut-mill

Wines and Tasting

The French Huguenots settled in the farm lands around Cape Town several hundreds years ago. They brought their knowledge of wine making with them. This has resulted in a high quality wine industry with vineyards stretching from the most southern tip of the peninsula to the hills of Franschhoek and Elgin. Individual wine makers and larger co-operatives offer an outstanding selection of varietals including the locally created Pinotage. These quality wines have been distinguished by awards from the global wine community. Visitors are welcome at most wine farms and encouraged to taste the local wines. The best guide for detailed information on the Cape Town wines is the John Platter Guide at www.johnplatterguide.com

The Arts

For the lovers of the Arts, Cape Town has a wide selection of Art galleries and Theatres. There are regular festivals featuring leading performers and musicians. One of the favourite music events is the Sunset concerts at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. It is easy to check events and book on line at http://www.computicket.com/web

The 2010 World Cup Event

The 2010 World Cup event has focused global attention on South Africa. As one of the key match Host Cities, Cape Town has invested in building a magnificent Stadium for the games. Located in Greenpoint, close to the V&A Waterfront, the impressive state-of-the-art stadium appears to float between the mountain and the sea. This is the perfect setting for enjoying the excitement of the greatest sports event in the World. The hosting of the event has resulted in an increase in employment through development of the city’s infrastructure and the Tourism Industry. This will leave an important legacy for economic growth. The city looks forward to welcoming back visitors after the World Cup event. Catch up with the latest developments on http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/destination/stadiums/stadium=5011924/index.html 

Night Life for Clubbers and parties

For the party people there are plenty of bars and nightclubs around Cape Town. The city has lots of choice in different areas, there is a party happening all night long. Check the latest feedback on the Clubs in Cape Town on http://www.topclubs.co.za

Outdoor Activities

For the active outdoor visitors Cape Town has plenty to offer. The key activities and useful contacts are listed below:

>>Hiking

Hike trails run across the whole of Table Mountain and the surrounding National Parks. All the information can be found on http://www.hikecapetown.co.za/

>>The Discovery Cape Times Big Walk

The oldest walking race in Cape Town, the Discovery Cape Times Big Walk is the largest timed walking event in the world. Approximately 30,000 community members walk every November to raise funds for the Needy. Overseas participants are welcome to register for the event. The funds are distributed to the Community by the Rotary Club of Claremont. Find out more at www.bigwalk.co.za

>>Mountaineering

Table Mountain also attracts plenty of mountaineers keen to climb up the steep slopes. The Mountain Club of South Africa can assist with information at http://mcsacapetown.co.za

>>Hang and Para Gliding

Above the Mountain visitors can participate in the thrills of hang-gliding and para-gliding. For more information see http://www.hanggliding.org.za and http://www.paraglide.co.za

>>Running

Runners can bring their sports shoes and participate in local events. The largest race in Cape Town is the Two Oceans Marathon in April 2010 see www.twooceansmarathon.org.za  For details of all local road races in the Cape Town area visit http://www.runnersguide.co.za/Calendar/View2.aspx?ProvinceNo=21

>>Cycling and Mountain biking

There are lots of opportunities for cyclists and mountain bikers to enjoy their sport. For good advice and guidance check out http://cms.cyclingsa.com/affiliates/western-cape

>>The Cape Argus Pick’nPay Cycle Tour

The largest timed cycle race in Africa, the Cape Argus Pick’nPay  Cycle Tour is held annually in March with 35,000 entrants. Part of the proceeds of the race go to the Rotary Club of Claremont for Community projects. International visitors are welcome to participate. Last year Matt Damon rode with his brother to raise funds for the M.A.D. charity. For more information on the race view http://www.cycletour.co.za

>>Water sports

Water sports in Cape Town are very big due to our wide shores. It is possible to participate in every type of water including kayaking, surfing, windsurfing, diving, shark cage diving and sailing in all forms of boats. For the thrill of a lifetime visit http://www.sharkcagediving.co.za 

Community Work

Capetonians are strongly committed to assisting their Community. There are many voluntary organizations that help others less fortunate than themselves. Community minded visitors are welcome to meet local Organisations and see the work happening in the Community. They can also participate in the programmes if they wish.

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