Cape Town?

We are considering a 2 week holiday in Cape Town. We think we might go from 5th October this year.

So, what are the things we 'must do'?

We are taking a flight only from Uk and we will require budget accomodation - possibly self catering. Any tips on good places/areas to stay?

Any help would be good.

On Sat, 3 Apr 2004 14:01:37 +0100, 'Red Lorakeet'

The following places are what most seem to consider obligatory when visiting Cape Town:

Robben Island, Castle of Good Hope, the cable car to Table Mountain's summit, Hout Bay and Chapmans Peak Drive, Cape Point, Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, Constantia Wine Route, the penguins at Boulders Beach (on the False Bay coastline route to Cape Point) and shore-based whale watching at several sites (e.g. Glencairn) along the False Bay coastline.

BTW, October is peak whale watching season for southern right whales that come close to shore at many places.

The V&A Watefront in Cape Town is very popular but very commercialised IMHO. However the Two Oceans Aquarium and Telkom Exploratorium in the waterfront should be worthwhile. There's also a bewildering array of arts & crafts, curios, restaurants and much more at the Waterfront.

I notice you have two weeks so you'll have time to look around properly and not rush through your itinerary like so many unfortunately do. October 5th is an excellent date as schools re-open on the 4th and the crowds will be less!

Dave Patterson's reply has excellent ideas, the places he talks about are a way from Cape Town past Hermanus which is called the whale watching capital of South Africa with good reason.

Towns like Paarl, Stellenbosch and Franschhoek in the Cape Winelands are all relatively close and an easy drive from Cape Town. There are literally hundreds of wine farms & estates to visit and e.g. in Paarl you'll find the KWV cellar with some of the largest wine vats in the world. At Stellenbosch there are many wine farms & estates to visit as well as a Brandy Route if you're interested.

Learn more about the history of apartheid at Robben Island as well as the Bo-Kaap and District Six museums. More museums include the South African Museum in the VOC Company Gardens, the Old Slave Lodge, Rhodes Cottage etc.

You don't mention what interests you have (e.g. hiking, surfing, diving or whatever) so I don't really know what else to recommend. If you want to contact me just remove the obvious for my email in my sig below.

Daniél Palm - South Africa Disability is not inability

Thanks to you both for such full replies. We will now start planning.

We' ve been to Cape Town in March. Have a look at my website for our trip report. It contains information on the highlights we have seen, with lots of photos.
www.xs4all.nl/~couvreur/travel

Regards,

Eddy

I visited South Africa about 3 years ago on business and really enjoyed it. One thing I enjoyed alot was the Van Ryn Angel's Share Brandy Creme. Does anyone know if this is exported to the US?

Thanks.

A good company to get SA wines et al. is http://www.sawineco.com/

I don't see it on their web site , but call (800) 504-9463.

You'll probably like the Amarula Cream liquer as well