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ROBBEN ISLAND
Booking and information: Tel: (+27 21 419 1300 or 4095182.)
The world renowned isolated island prison. Tours to the island conducted
by the Robben Island Museum and Hylton Ross Tours. Tours run daily and
lasts for 3.5 hours. Booking is essential. Click here to return to the
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2 VICTORIA AND ALFRED
WATERFRONT
Information Centre: Tel (+27 21 418 2369 )
· 08 minutes drive from Two Twenty-Four The Guest House
Developed around the older wharves of the scenic Cape Town harbour, the
buildings here date back to 1860, when Prince Alfred (Queen Victoria's
son) tipped the rock for construction of the breakwater. Original
buildings have been renovated and new buildings have been built in the
same Victorian style. This waterfront complex has become hugely successful
and is one of the most popular places to visit day or night in Cape Town.
An excellent example of the worldwide trend to revitalise big city ports,
this wonderland has the charms of a working harbour with seagulls and fur
seals waiting for scraps from fishing boats and tugs tied next to luxury
yachts. The salty sea air mingles with the smell of fresh crayfish and
garlic prawns being served on smart restaurant terraces. Offering a
cosmopolitan choice of restaurants, two shopping centres, two craft
markets, cinemas and bars, visitors are spoilt for choice. During the day,
embark on a helicopter flip around the Peninsula, a boat ride to Robben
Island on a high speed catamaran (where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned) or
visit the Two Oceans Aquarium offering 300 species of underwater creatures
and where scuba divers will enjoy the opportunity to dive with sharks.
Useful Contact Numbers:
Waterfront Visitor's Centre: Tel: 418 2369
Two Oceans Aquarium: Tel: 418-3823
Robben Island Museum: Tel: 419-1300
Civair Helicopters Tel: 419-5182
Tigress Sunset / Champagne Cruises Tel: 419-7746 Click here to return to the
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3 TABLE MOUNTAIN
· 15 minutes drive from Two Twenty-Four The Guest House
Standing at 1086 m above sea level, this spectacular mountain which forms
part of the Cape Peninsula National Park, dominates Cape Town and its
nearest suburbs and attracts visitors from far and wide. You can walk,
climb, bike, abseil or paraglide the mountain. You can, of course, take
the elegant Swiss-designed revolving cable car if you simply want the view
and the surprise of a different world on top of the mountain. Wooden
walkways and designated paths allow you to wander around at the top
without damaging the unique plant life. Dassies (rock hyrax) that look
like overgrown guinea pigs, laze around on the sun-warmed rocks and accept
little tidbits from curious visitors. It is best to visit on a clear,
still day and it is advisable to phone the Cableway Station beforehand to
check on the weather conditions (cable car doesn't operate in windy
conditions) and pre-booking is recommended in summer. Remember to take a
hat, sunscreen, camera as well as a windbreaker as it can sometimes be
quite chilly at the top. There are restaurants and shops at the top of the
table (you can even post a postcard from the top of the mountain), so
don't forget your wallet!
Useful Contact Numbers:
Cable Station: Tel: 424 0015 (phone for a "weather report" before going) Click here to return to the
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4 KIRSTENBOSCH
NATIONAL BOTANICAL GARDENS
· 25 minutes drive from Two Twenty-Four The Guest House
The beautiful and world-renowned gardens of Kirstenbosch are set against
the eastern slopes of Table Mountain. Approximately 6 000 species of
Southern Africa's flora are represented, particularly that of the Cape
floral kingdom, known as fynbos. A well-know birding "hotspot", the well
maintained gardens, adjacent fynbos and indigenous forest support an
attractive diversity of species. Numerous hiking trails commence at this
point, offering spectacular views of the city from the vantage points
along the slopes of the mountain.You will come across some unusual
features as you stroll through the gardens. There is a cycad bush in a
cage, the last of its kind left in the world. It has no mate for
propagation and needs protection from souvenir hunters. Amongst the shrubs
you will see impressive stone sculptures large and small, which are part
of a permanent exhibition of Shona art from Zimbabwe. Colonel Bird's Bath
in The Dell is shaped like a bird and has a crystal clear spring bubbling
into it and through a stream filled with stepping stones that delight
children. There is also a Braille Trail and scented garden where you'll
find sweet and strange smelling plants, with a guide to their medicinal
uses. Apart from the year round splendour of the gardens and the frequent
art exhibitions, in summer, there is a series of Sunday "sunset" musical
concerts, which are very popular. Order a picnic hamper from Afton Grove
to enjoy under the trees while the music serenades your soul. Remember to
take a blanket / chairs / cushions to sit on and something warm for when
the sun has set. The gardens offer a good restaurant and delightful curio
shop, as well as guided theme tours twice a week.
Useful Contact Numbers:
Kirstenbosch Information: Tel: 799 8899 Click here to return to the
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5 CONSTANTIA WINE ROUTE · 15 minutes drive from Afton Grove
Resting in the cool shadow of majestic Table Mountain, you will find some
of the oldest wine estates in the country. Groot Constantia, the Cape's
oldest vineyard and fine Cape Dutch homestead is located here and is well
worth a visit.In the late 1980's a bottle of 1791 Constantia wine was
discovered in the Duke of Northumberland's cellar in the UK, and returned
to South Africa for a ceremonial tasting. Napoleon is said to have
favoured the sweet wines of Constantia above all others and this two
hundred year old deep amber liquid had withstood the passing years
amazingly well. Its sweet fruity flavour scored incredible 18.7 points out
of 20, by the wine experts on the tasting panel . Contact the estates for
details on wine tastings, cellar tours, restaurants etc.- go to Constantia
Winelands for more information. Click here to return to the
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6 CAPE POINT & THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE NATURE RESERVE
Tel: (+2721)7809204, 780 9526
For sea, mountains and indigenous animals, the day trip around the
Peninsula to Cape Point and the Good Hope Nature Reserve is hard to beat.
Stunning prospects of both sides of the Peninsula from the Cape Point
promontory. You may not literally see two oceans meet, but you will share
in the "end of a continent" feel. Restaurant & shop. Click here to return to the
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7 RATANGA JUNCTION
Info-line: 0861 200 300. TeL +27 (021)5507080
Africa's first full-scale theme park with thrills for the young and the
not-so-young: from the 100km/h Cobra to Crocodile Gorge, from
international cabaret shows to the largest commercial cinema screen on the
continent, its restaurants, pubs, night clubs and bands help make "the
Wildest Place in Africa' the one-stop entertainment spot, day and night. Click here to return to the
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8 CULTURAL CAPE TOWN
Diversity is the keynote to South African culture. Museums, theatres,
galleries, crafts, political and historical sites reflect South Africa's
rich past and recent history. Click here to return to the Top.
9 SIMONSTOWN
Named after Cape Governor Simon van der Stel in 1687. Provided a valuable
anchorage during the Dutch Colonial era and after the British took over in
1814, because the Royal Navy's main South Atlantic base until the 1950's.
Steeped in history with aquired charm, this village was now features its
own waterfront development and yacht. Click here to return to the
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10 THUNDER CITY
Tel: (021) 532 2330.
At Cape Town Airport, a private group has a static display of a fighter
aircraft as well as flying exhibits of an Electric Lightning and a Hawker
Hunter jet. Visitors who are not on a financial budget may experience a
flight across the Cape Peninsula in one of these fine relics from the
past. A quad bike and 4x4 course is open to the public. Click here to return to the
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11 NOORDHOEK FARM VILLAGE
A compendium of Art, culture, farm stalls, pubs and fine restaurants in a
setting of Cape Dutch architecture under mature, shady oaks. |
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In 1652 Jan van Riebeeck
sailed into Table Bay and laid the foundations of South Africa's oldest
city. His first undertaking was to establish a vegetable garden for the
purpose of providing passing merchant ships with fresh food. Before long,
weary sailors from around the world dropped anchor in the bay to replenish
supplies. The settlement soon earned the titled: 'Tavern of the Seas', and
to this day, Cape Town has maintained a reputation for friendly
hospitality. With its majestic Table Mountain backdrop, Cape Town is one
of the most beautiful cities in the world. An eclectic mix of
architectural styles reflects the tastes and dictates of the past - and
the more functional demands of the 20th century. The city's Edwardian and
Victorian buildings have been meticulously preserved, and many outstanding
examples of Cape Dutch architecture are found in the city and its
environs. Cobble stoned streets, mosque's and the flat-roofed pastel homes
of the Malay Quarter entrance a cosmopolitan ambience, and in a recent
development, the restoration of the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront evokes
images of the seafaring activities of the 19th century. For a closer look
at life at the Cape in earlier times, interesting historical collections
are on display in several museums. Cape Town's shopping options invite you
to endlessly browse - and buy. Elegant shopping malls, department stores,
antique shops and at galleries abounds. Specialist boutiques in Long
Street and the narrow little alleys intersecting it offer an enticing
array of unusual articles not readily obtainable elsewhere. At the end of
the day, gourmets and lovers of sophisticated entertainment have a treat
in store.
South Africa's legislative capital is situated at the foot of Table
Mountain, the famous flat-topped mountain with views out across the
peninsula to the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. It is possible to walk up,
but for the less intrepid, there is an excellent cable car. The main hub
of the city centre is the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, the beautifully
restored old Victorian harbor which offers free entertainment, a wide
variety of shops, museums, including the excellent Aquarium, taverns and
restaurants. Boat trips leave from here for harbor tours or the notorious
Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela and many other nationalist leaders
were imprisoned. The relics of early colonial government are centered on
Government Avenue, with many fine old buildings and museums, including the
Parliament Buildings; Groote Kerk (mother church of the Dutch Reformed
faith); the Cultural History Museum; National Museum; National Gallery;
Bertram House and Company's Garden, planted in 1652 to provide food for
passing sailors. Nearby sights of interest include Bo-Kaap (the home of
the Islamic Cape Malay people, confusingly of mainly Indonesian origin);
the Castle of Good Hope in Darling Street, built in 1666; the Old
Townhouse on Greenmarket Square, housing a permanent collection of
17th-century Dutch and Flemish paintings; and the early 18th-century
Koopmans de Wet House. Those interested in learning more about black and
'Cape coloured' culture should visit the District Six Museum, Buitenkant
Street, and take one of the many excellent guided tours of the outlying
townships of Crossroads, Langa and Khayelitsha. It is probably not safe
for tourists to venture into these areas on their own. Cape Town also has
excellent sporting and shopping facilities. The Baxter Theatre and
Artscape Theatre Complex offer a mix of local and international fare.
Nightlife is concentrated in the V&A Waterfront, Sea Point, and parts of
the central business district, notably around Long Street. Further out,
the Cape-Dutch homestead of Spier and Ratanga Junction theme park both
offer a variety of entertainment from classical to jazz concerts.
Excursions:
Whale Watching
Castle of Good Hope
Table Mountain
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
Wine Routes
Cape Gardens
Various Museums
Ratanga Junction
Cape Point
Robben Island
Seal Island Trips
Historical Buildings and Architecture
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