Cape Town

Cape Town is definately one of the world wide most famous cities in Africa and the amazing Table mountain is one of the most beautiful landmarks of any city in the world. Also Cape Town is known for its relaxed – almost southern European feel to it. “The Cape is the most stately thing and the fairest cape we saw in the entire circumference of the earth” (Sir Frances Drake 1580)

Nestled near the confluence of two great oceans, at the tip of Africa, with the majestic Table Mountain as a backdrop, Cape Town is acclaimed as one of the world’s most beautiful cities. It boasts a string of elegant hotels to suit all tastes and budgets, along with a new majestic purpose built International Convention Center.

Cape of Good Hope, Tavern of the seas, Cape of Storms, Fairest Cape, Mother City… welcome to a place of many views, histories and peoples. This city has been the destination of slaves, refugees, prisoners, jet setters and adventurers. It has been colonized by the Dutch and the British, and symbolized by both Robben Island and Table Mountain. Now, as part of the new South Africa, it is a powerful international incentive destination.

Cape Town is South Africa’s mother city. It is situated in the south west of the country with both an Atlantic and Indian Ocean coastline. Cape Town offers an intriguing mix of culture, a country with 11 official languages; Heritage, the oldest building still in use today dates from the 17 century; natural beauty, the Peninsula is where the two oceans meet and is the world’s richest floral kingdom, home to more than 8500 species of plant many of which are on display at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens – and the vineyards are only 30 minutes from the city center.

Attractions include a trip to the Peninsula to view the meeting of the two oceans. A tour around the city and a trip to the top of Table Mountain, visits to the Winelands on historic trains with majestic mountain scenery and the chance to enjoy the very best of New World Wines, Robben Island infamous as the place of Nelson Mandela’s incarceration, the Waterfront located on the foreshore with a myriad of shops restaurants and entertainment, golfing on fantastic links courses, deep sea fishing for Shark and Tuna, gold and diamonds are relatively cheap in South Africa due to the proximity of the mines.

The vast array of attractions includes a significant highlight – exploring famous winelands, including the historical estates of the Constantia, Stellenbosch, Franschoek and Paarl regions. The winelands are characterized by gracious Cape Dutch homesteads, blending harmoniously with the vineyards stretching to the horizon, with mountains and forests as a backdrop. Visits are complemented with gourmet food and magnificent scenery.

The extensive complex of the restored Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, which surrounds the working harbour, is a hive of acts – from pubs, restaurants, hotels, shops and exclusive boutiques, to open craft markets, boat trips, helicopter flips and live entertainment, the Waterfront is an idyllic and vibrant incentive area that adjoins two five star hotels – The Table Bay (329 rooms) and The Cape Grace (122 rooms). Picturesque canals can take you by water taxi to the Convention Center or to the Marriott and Sheraton Arabella hotels or to the Classic African Rovos Rail Station.

South Africa’s geography is as varied as it is complex, from desert, highland plains, rugged mountains, lush woodland landscapes, to golden sandy beaches along the coast. Cape Colony, tucked away in its south western corner, is dominated by the Cape Mountains, characteristically plateau in formation, looming high with precipitous slopes tipping downwards on either side to the valleys below and The Atlantic Ocean.

The cool Benguela Stream influences the climate year round along the west coast in the form of only minor seasonal temperature fluctuations, but regular fog. In the wine country, situated behind the first mountain range, temperatures can creep a few degrees above those down on the coast. The proverbial constant winds of Cape Town, a port city, tend to gain in velocity during the summer months as the day progresses. Whirling around the summit of Table Mountain they blow dust and warm air in equal measure out over the city.

Numerous small rivers traverse the Cape Mountain Range, which towards the coast is flanked by westerly and southerly lowlands, giving way to shifting sands just east of Cape Town. The region experiences warm dry summers (December to March) and cooler, rainier winters (May to September). Winters can be difficult to anticipate, however, with occasional dry years in between and tremendous fluctuations in temperature, which in any one day can plummet from 25C down to 15C.