Plage de Haakgat
CAPE TOWN RANKS AS ONE OF THE TOP INTERNATIONAL TOURIST DESTINATIONS. IT’S ICONS, SUCH AS TABLE MOUNTAIN AND ROBBEN ISLAND, ARE WELL CHARTED TERRITORY. BUT THE CITY HAS MANY SECRET GEMS, AND A FOOD CULTURE ON THE RISE.
C
ape Town is one of the most beautiful cities on earth. With rugged mountains, sweeping vineyards, Cape Dutch architecture and pristine beaches, it’s a pre-
mier, bucket-list destination.
Whether jogging the Sea Point promenade, climbing Lion’s Head at sunset to watch the
full moon rising over the city or driving the coastal roads of the peninsula, visitors are overwhelmed by its breathtakingly vistas. The city’s Big Five attractions should be top of any itinerary. Ride the cableway to the summit of Table Mountain to survey the peninsula. Visit Robben Island and see the cell where Mandela was incarcerated for so many years. Pack a picnic and visit the worldrenowned Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Head to the south-western tip of Africa at the dramatic cliffs and beaches of Cape Point, or spend a day sipping wine among the elegant Dutch homesteads of the Cape Winelands. Food is big in the Mother City. Cape Town is at the cutting edge of culinary tastes and trends. Whether you’re looking for beach cafés with a view of the sea, sidewalk cafes, fine-dining establishments or neighbourhood pizza joints, you’re in for a treat. There are many hidden gems, so take time to explore. Slow food, organic produce and inner-city market gardens are all the rage. There are local food markets springing up all over the city. You can browse and nibble as you wander among the stalls, or sit and enjoy a delicious meal. The Cape is famous for award-winning wines and scenic vineyards. The region has perfected the art of winemaking, so be sure to visit a few wine farms. Just 20 minutes from the city centre is the first of the great wine routes, leading through the suburbs of Constantia and Tokai and featuring some of the oldest wine farms in the country, stretching back to the 17th century. Further afield, the wine routes of Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek offer world-class wines on some of the most beautiful farms in Africa. Explore off the beaten track to discover some of the old mansions that don’t make it onto the regular tourist route, such as Hazendal in Brackenfell. 84 I HAMAJI