Apr
24
Cape Town – a Holiday to Remember
April 24, 2010 | Leave a Comment
Visiting Cape Town is an ambition for many. One of the world's truly great locations of natural beauty, it offers visitors a wealth of culture and sights.
A little history
From the 15th century onwards, South Africa and Cape Town as a location was very much on the radar' of Europeans and the area was initially colonised by the Dutch under the Dutch East India Company. There was also French influence from the arrival of the Huguenots – French Protestant refugees from the religious wars who also helped develop the now world famous Cape wine industry.
In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the Napoleonic wars and shifting alliances led to the area being taken by Britain from the Dutch and it remained a major part of the British Empire for around a century before eventually being incorporated into the Union of South Africa. During this period the English language and British culture were added to the existing exotic mixture and Cape Town became the increasingly culturally diverse area that it remains to this day.
The natural beauty of stone
Few people that have seen photographs of Cape Town are anything less than awe-inspired by the stunning beauty of the mountains and countryside – most notably of course Table Mountain (sometimes also called table-top mountain). This name originates from the Portuguese explorer Antnio de Saldanha who climbed it in 1503. Today it is the centre piece of the Table Mountain National Park, created in 1998. Reached by cable car or by hiking, the park is a major must-see' for visitors and the views are truly spectacular.
Hiking from the city side is regarded as difficult as the cliffs are very steep, so inland paths may be best. If you're fit enough, climbing is available but there are restrictions on the nature of the techniques and tools used, and professional advice is highly advisable. There are also caves and local wildlife centres to be explored.
Sea and sand
Cape Town has some stunning beaches – and they're quite different depending upon which side' you choose to go to. One side of the peninsula faces towards the Atlantic and the other towards the Indian Ocean. Although it is sometimes the subject of fierce debate, most people will agree that the beaches facing the Atlantic are slightly trendier and perhaps a little more sheltered from the wind that those on the Indian Ocean side. Against that, those on the Atlantic may have water that is a little colder!
History and culture
Because of its long and culturally diverse history, Cape Town offers excellent opportunities for sightseeing and exploring. The Castle of Good Hope is the oldest building in South Africa, dating back to the 17th century, and is now a museum. There is also a wealth of buildings in the old colonial style that make a stroll around a major pleasure.
The Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is a wonderland of flora and fauna of the area and you'll have the chance to see plants and blooms that are rarely seen in Europe. You can also take a ferry over to Robben island – well known as the place of imprisonment of Nelson Mandela, but today famous for its stunning views back to the mainland.
If you're determined to find some chic and get the chance to do some serious shopping, the V&A Waterfront development contains a wide variety of shops, boutiques and caf/bars, all contained within wonderful historic dockyard and harbour surroundings. Or, if vino is more your thing, then of course not far outside town you'll be into South African wine country – well worth seeing and tasting.
Seeing the city and environs
By its very nature, Cape Town is one of those destinations that is particularly suitable for the holidaymaker who prefers a custom-designed holiday that's an exact fit to their requirements.
It's not uncommon on some packaged holidays to find that you're forced into a one size fits all' mould. There's nothing more frustrating than finding you're on holiday and being taken to see things that are not of interest, while things you really want to see just get passed by. Fortunately, for Cape Town holidays there are specialist companies that can help you construct your holiday uniquely around your interests rather than those of others. Their expertise can be placed at your disposal to ensure you really experience this wonderful city and area.
About the Author: Rachel Hill is a Southern Africa Travel specialist, a company specialising in luxury, tailor-made Cape Town holidays, as well as holidays to other destinations in Southern Africa. Our experienced consultants will help you design your very own luxury holiday, and will be happy to provide you with a free quote.
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