Cape Town, South Africa Vacation Guide - Kirstenbosch, Table Mountain and Stellenbosch

When you embark on a journey to South Africa,library is also housed in this building.
one of the most cosmopolitan places to go thatYou can also see the most famous of the Cape
will appeal to everyone's budgets and tastes isTown landmarks - Table Mountain. There are
most definitely Cape Town. With the soccerregular Cable Car ride up to the top of the flat
World Cup coming to South Africa in 2010,topped mountain where there are restaurants,
thousands of people worldwide will have theirshops, walking trails and perfect sunset viewing
eyes opened to the city and all of South Africa.spots. Weddings and other functions can also be
With vibrant streets and friendly people you willplanned up on Table Mountain, but the weather
always feel welcome and at home here. Capecan be of concern during the windy times of
Town is modern and chic with segments ofyear, as the cable car does not ride up due to
different communities contributing to the uniquethe strong gusts and the infamous "table cloth" of
blend of culture here. You also have thethick cloud that covers the top. On the other side
combination of all climates and topography allof Table Mountain sits the botanical gardens of
within very close proximity of each other, so oneKirstenbosch which must not be missed.
minute you can be surfing or sun tanning on theMoving away from the city center you have a
glorious beaches and the next you can bechoice of going north or south, east or west. The
breathing in the crisp air as you hike through thefar south is located along a narrow Peninsula and
Cape vineyards. You will not be disappointed whenthis is where the historical and seaside towns of
you come to Cape Town at any time of year.Muizenberg, Kalk Bay, and Simon's Town are
The different seasons hold splendid sights andlocated. Simon's Town is where the country's
experiences that can only be attributed to thatnaval base is located and offers a quaint
specific time of year, so to get a true and overallMediterranean vibe. There are lovely old buildings
picture of Cape Town; you need to make moreand great naval vessels to see, as well as the
than one trip during different times of year. Thefiring guns at Lower North Battery which are still
weather here is great almost all year round.in use. You can also go to the 100 year old Jubilee
There are very rainy days in winter and verySquare where the statue of Just Nuisance, the
windy days in summer, but this does not continuefamous navy dog, stands proudly. From here the
for the entire season and most of the time youmarvels of Cape Point are just a short, very
will have stunning days that are warm andpleasant drive away. Here you can see the
peaceful.Chacma Baboons in their natural habitat as well as
There is so much to see and do here that it isvarious antelope and zebra inside the Cape of
hard to know where to start. If you are new toGood Hope Nature Reserve. There is also an
the country and the Cape, perhaps the best placeostrich farm, craft stalls, picnic areas and
to start your vacation is in the heart of theattractions like Diaz Cross, Da Gama Cross, Cape
Mother City. Here you can visit all the art galleriesPoint Lighthouse, and the exact point where the
and museums and by just walking through thetwo oceans meet - the southeastern most point
streets of Cape Town CBD and the Foreshoreof the African continent.
you will soon have a pretty good grasp of things.If you travel northwards from Cape Town you
There are streets for the arty and chic, placeswill get into the hotter northern suburbs and find
that are more European with lovely coffee shopsgreat places like Durbanville with great wine
and cafes, there are the more earthy, bohemianfarms, Tygerburg Zoo, Monkey Town, the Belville
aspects, areas where the African culture shines,Veladrome, and the historical winelands town of
up-market areas, and those that are more downPaarl. From here you can move eastward to
to earth and bustling with the locals. There areinclude other wine areas that make up the longest
craft markets, eateries, as well as interesting,wine route in the world, like those in Franschhoek
historical places like the tranquil Gardens of Capeand Stellenbosch, with their own unique histories.
Town, Parliament buildings, the President'sAlong the East Coast you can get to amazing
Residence, the Planetarium, and the Artscapetown of Hermanus where the annual Whale
Theatre. You should also make time to go on aFestival is held and the Southern Right Whale
tour of the Castle of Good Hope which will be amigration and breeding is best seen. You should
prominent sight as you travel into the city. Thisalso visit very tip of Africa at Cape Agulhas. If
5-sided castle was once a fort and the tallestyou want to travel along the West Coast of the
building in Cape Town, until the skyscrapers wereCape you will move into the cooler Atlantic Ocean
introduced. The old Town Hall is also great to viewside where the small fishermen type villages still
and the magnificent architecture is very wellpreside with white washed walls and wonderful,
preserved and elegant. The Cape Town Cityuntouched natural beauty.