Cape Town & Winelands
Cape Town is considered as the "Mother City"
of South Africa. Since 1652 it has been ruled by the Dutch (twice)
the French and the English. Add to that the Eastern and African
cultures introduced by slaves and migrants and you have one
of the most diverse local populations that you could wish to
find. Whilst the people are friendly and interesting, the scenery
is spectacular. With Table Mountain framing the city and white
beaches surrounding it, Cape Town has long been a summer vacation
playground for South Africans and International folk looking
for something unique. Culturally Cape Town is at its most active
during the months from June to September when the silly season
is over and people get down to doing what they do best, relaxing
and enjoying the Cape Town lifestyle.
The Cape Winelands, as the name would suggest, is the largest
wine producing region in the South Africa. With a selection
of over 200 cellars to choose from, you are guaranteed to taste
some of the finest wines in the world. Experience the rich historical
and cultural heritage while visiting quaint villages and vibrant
townships, museums and galleries, theatres and festivals.
The Winelands is a wonderfully romantic destination and is second
to none when it comes to gastronomic options. PerryGolf recommends
at least 4 nights in Cape Town and the Winelands Regions as
each are easily accessed from the other and both provide very
unique experiences.
Local Places of Interest, Activities and Tours of the Surrounding
Areas
Table Mountain - A sandstone plateau rising
up above the Cape Flats. The top is approximately 3km wide,
and at its highest point, Maclear's Beacon, rises to 1085m.
Over the centuries it has become one of South Africa's most
famous landmarks. The steep cliffs and rocky outcrops of the
mountain play home to a number of plants and animals. The mountain
is home to approximately 1470 species of plants; more than the
entire British Isles! Complimenting this array of flora is a
stunning range of fauna, some, like the Table Mountain Ghost
Frog, being found in no other place in the world. The weather
on the summit is very changeable and the cable car cannot be
pre-booked.. It is best to check the weather section of the
website or phone the information line on (021) 424 8181 to check
if the cable car is open or closed. Always bring a warm jacket
with you, as the temperature is often cooler on the summit than
at the lower station. If you plan to walk to the highest point
on the mountain, Maclear's Beacon, be sure to wear a good pair
of walking shoes.
Cape Point - At the tip of the Cape Peninsula - 60
km south-west of Cape Town - the rugged rocks and sheer cliffs
cut deep into the ocean to split False Bay from the colder waters
of the western seaboard. This outcrop of the Table Mountain
National Park is called Cape Point.
Bartholomeu Dias, the Portuguese seafarer, was the first to
sail around the Cape. This was in 1488. On his return voyage
- which must have been particularly stormy - Dias
stopped at the south-western tip of Africa, and named it Cabo
Tormentoso, or Cape of Storms.
Apart from its spectacular beauty and views, here a few good
reasons to visit Cape Point:
- The most southwesterly point of Africa
- Breathe the freshest air in the world - straight from
the Antarctic.
- It's where the cold Beguela current on the West coast
and the warm Agulhas current on the East coast merge.
- Situated in the 22 100 hectare Table Mountain National Park
- One of the highest sea cliffs in the world - 249 m above
sea level
- The circumnavigation of the Cape of Good Hope led to the establishment
of a sea route to the East and subsequent trade
- 26 recorded shipwrecks
-
Bird watcher's paradise - at least 250 species
The Waterfront - Situated between Robben Island and
Table Mountain in the heart of Cape Town's working harbour,
the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront has become South Africa's
most visited destination. Set against a backdrop of magnificent
sea and mountain views, exciting shopping and entertainment
venues are intermingled with imaginative office locations, world-class
hotels and luxury apartments in the residential marina.
Robben Island - For nearly 400 years, Robben Island,
12 kilometers from Cape Town, was a place of banishment, exile,
isolation and imprisonment. It was here that rulers sent those
they regarded as political troublemakers, social outcasts and
the unwanted of society. During the apartheid years Robben Island
became internationally known for its institutional brutality.
The duty of those who ran the Island and its prison was to isolate
opponents of apartheid and to crush their morale. Some freedom
fighters spent more than a quarter of a century in prison for
their beliefs. Those imprisoned on the Island succeeded on a
psychological and political level in turning a prison 'hell-hole'
into a symbol of freedom and personal liberation. Robben Island
came to symbolize, not only for South Africa and the African
continent, but also for the entire world, the triumph of the
human spirit over enormous hardship and adversity. Robben Island
is now a world heritage site and marine reserve, giving visitors
magnificent views of city of Cape Town and Table Mountain.
The three and a half hour tour includes a return trip across
Table Bay, a visit to the Maximum Security Prison, interaction
with an ex-political prisoner and a 45 minute bus tour with
a guide providing commentary. We suggest that you pre-book a
seat on the boat by using your hotel or driver concierge service.
Winelands - For those not spending a few days
in the Winelands, we suggest you spend a free day on a guided
Winelands tour. With vineyards dating back 350 years and some
of the finest cuisine to be found anywhere, the Cape Winelands
provides for all palates. Cellar tours, cheese tasting, lunches
or picnics can all be arranged.
The
Castle - Built between 1666 - 1679, the Castle is the
oldest structure in South Africa, which today serves as headquarters
for the Western Province Army Command. The castle houses the
William Fehr Collection of Africana, which provides a glimpse
of life at the Cape during the 17th and 18th centuries and the
Castle History Museum. The "castle" is actually a
defensive fort, construction of which began barely 2 days after
the arrival of the first Dutch settlers in April 1652. Although
today the Castle is far away from the sea, it was originally
built on the beach, Strand Street, which passes the structure
is translated as "Beach Street". The area where the
Cape Town station now stands was originally under the ocean
and has been built on land reclaimed over the years so that
today the ocean is a couple of kilometers distant. The castle
is open daily from 09h00 to 16h00, Monday to Saturday (open
Sundays during December) except Christmas day and New Years
day. Daily tours are conducted at 11h00, 12h00 and 14h00. The
changing of the guard is held Monday to Friday at 12h00
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PerryGolf
