Discover it

Cape Town has a cosmopolitan cultural mix which has been influenced over the years mainly by the Dutch, French and British, with a significant influence also having come from Malaysia. Cape Town is home to artists and performers of every description,.

With a fascinating  history going back 350 years, Cape Town offers a huge selection of museums and places of cultural interest to visit. Also to be considered are tours of the townships, a ferry trip to Robben Island or a wander through the District Six Museum.

Bo-Kaap

The so-called Malay Quarter (more correctly named the Bo-Kaap), hugs the lower slopes of Signal Hill and is a maze of narrow alleys and densely clustered flat roofed homes. The Bo-Kaap is home to a large Islamic community, many of whom are descended from slaves imported by the early European settlers from the Dutch colony of Java.

Company Gardens

The Company Gardens, located at the upper end of Adderley street, with its stately oak trees, shady paths, green lawns and lily covered ponds has a direct line of descent from the earliest settlers. When Jan Van Riebeck landed in the Cape in 1652, his first task was to plant a vegetable garden to supply the passing ships of his employers, the powerful Dutch East India Company. The modern Gardens are located at this spot and although much reduced from the original size are still a wonderful place to spend a few hours.

The Castle

Dating back to roughly the same period is the oldest European structure in South Africa, the Castle of Good Hope. 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 kilometres distant.

Historic Buildings

Cape Town is home to a number of historic buildings, many of them well preserved and can be visited by the public. Bertram House, in the city centre was built in the 1830’s when anything much beyond Adderly Stret was farmland. The house is now a museum and gives a wonderful insight into cape Town life almost 200 years ago [Tel: 021 424 9381].

There are many more such gems to be found in and around the city, such as Koopmans De Wet House, the Groote Kerk (Big Church) in Adderley Street. Also worth a visit is the bustling open air market at Greenmarket Square, the Historic buildings and dusty book shops in Long Street (walk its length and find out how this street got its name), the huge underground Golden Acre shopping mall, the old Slave Lodge and the South African Museum [021 424 3330], to name but a few.

Source: DiscoverTheCape

Are you in search for the perfect gift for your partner? Are tired of giving the usual gifts? Do you want to make a huge difference in your partner’s life by not simply giving the usual flowers, chocolates, jewelry, clothes, or even a shopping certificate? Or are you planning on a special honeymoon that is worth remembering for decades? If for any reason you want to do something special for yourself and your partner, then do it the best way through a Cape Town trip. Vacationing in Cape Town South Africa is something that both of you will cherish your whole lives. Cape-Town accommodations are numerous so you can easily choose which one fits your desired dream couple vacation. Here is a fast rundown of the possible accommodations in Cape Town:

? Bed and Breakfast – Cape Town and the entire Western Cape offers tourists the usual bed and breakfast. If you want a place to stay and one that provides you breakfasts and meals at lower cost, then choose from the many B & B available.

? Apartments – If you want to have an entire unit to yourself, then you can choose this Cape-Town accommodation. Apartments are cheaper than hotels but can be more spacious that the bed and breakfast inns.

? Hotels – Want to stay in a budget hotel or a luxury hotel? Choose hotels which offer full amenities that you seek without having to slash off your finances. Choose from hotels located near beaches, near the city centre, or those with amazing mountain views.

? Holiday Villas – If you want more privacy for your honeymoon or your couple retreat, then you can also opt to rent an entire holiday home or villa. With this type of Cape-Town accommodation, you can have the full amenities of a modern home yet have the privacy that you desire. Choose a villa that is located within the city centre for an exciting vacation or choose one that is in the outskirts for a quieter couple sanctuary.

? Camping Sites – Vacations for honeymooners and couples can have that added thrill and excitement if you want to be closer to nature. Explore and experience the natural beauty and wildlife of South Africa with the many types of camping accommodations. You can choose to pitch tents, live in caravans, or even rent a luxury cottage within the designated camp sites.

? Backpackers Inns – Even in the middle of South Africa’s legislative capital, you can find backpackers inns which can be your within-the-budget Cape-Town accommodation. If you want to have more adventures, then choose to stay in these inns and have more mobility.

? Resorts – No place great for vacations offers no resorts. In Cape Town and in the entire Western Cape, you can have a wide choice of resorts. Choose resorts which offer hotel-like services while having the best views and amenities. This type of Cape-Town accommodation is popular for those who want all that they need in one place: great lodgings, great food, and great luxury amenities that can make your couple retreat a regular thing.

Source: http://www.articlesbase.com
Cape Town Accommodation

There is much to see around Cape Town, from the spectacular Atlantic coastline, to the coastal villages of False Bay, the beautiful wine route and the rugged west coast. Since the peninsula spreads out over a vast area, (the distance from Simon’s Town in the south, to Bloubergstrand in the north is close to 100 km), a car is probably essential for getting to the less accessible areas.

By Car

A valid driver’s licence and minimum age of 21 or 25 are generally required in order to hire a car. All the major car rental companies have a presence in Cape Town, most will drop off and collect rental vehicles at your hotel. Car rentals are also available at the airport. For more information on rental cars we recommend that you visit our car hire partners … More Info.

Public Transport

Public transport is available with a scheduled bus service covering most areas, and the city is linked by a comprehensive suburban rail network to the outlying suburbs. In fact the suburban line to Simons Town is possibly one of the most spectacular in the world, the track is so close to the sea in places that unsuspecting passengers occasionally get soaked by the spray of waves breaking on the rocks below - (call 403 9080 or 0800 65 64 63 for enquiries).

 Read more about safety on public transport in our personal safety guide.

Minibus Taxi

For exploring further afield you might hop onto a minibus taxi, South Africa’s most used, and most economical, means of public transport, travelling to just about every area (and stopping just about anywhere, too!).

Taxi Cabs

Taxi cabs are another option, and are specially recommended at night. Although you can’t hail a taxi New York-style on the streets of Cape Town, they can be hired at taxi ranks or ordered by phone through one of the many taxi companies. Not cheap, but definitely the safest bet, the average charge is about R4.50 per km.

Shuttle Services

Numerous tour and transport companies offer shuttle services to and from the airport, as well as to other destinations around the city. Although this means less responsibility than would be the case with a hired car, there is slightly less flexibility, but at least you won’t have to be concerned with navigating your way around the city.

On Foot

In the city centre you’ll find walking a most pleasant way to get around, roaming the many curio and antique markets, or strolling through the city’s oak-lined Company Gardens, en route to the National Gallery or Natural History Museum, are popular with both visitors and residents. For those with energy, or whose schedules are not too hectic, Cape Town is best explored on foot.

 Source: Cape Town Holiday Accommodation

Discover The Cape | Cape Town Holiday Accommodation

Gamblers are well taken care of with a choice of casinos in and around Cape Town. Gambling in South Africa is strictly regulated and is permitted only within authorised casinos. NB! - links to external websites will open in a new window.

Grand West Casino [Cape Town]

Grand West Casino is owned and operated by Sun International, it is the only casino in Cape Town and boasts state of the art facilities. The casino has 60 casino tables, offering American Roulette, Blackjack, Raise ‘em Poker and Punto Banco. In addition there are 1750 smart card slot machines, including the Millennium Mania, which pays out a R2-million jackpot.

Grand West also has a Salon Prive which is an ultra-exclusive casino designed especially for high-end players. The salon is in operation 24-hours a day. Also available for high end players is the MVG (Most Valued Guest) lounge which offers the ultimate in privacy and intimacy.

For non gamblers there is plenty to offer including various childrens entertainment, a vast array of restaurants, bars, night clubs and shopping. Guests have the option of staying in the Grand Hotel or the adjacent City Lodge hotel.

Phone: 021 505 7777
Website: www.suninternational.com/resorts/grandwest/

Caledon Casino and Spa [Caledon]

The Caledon Casino and Spa is owned and operated by Century Casinos Inc of USA, a NASDAQ-listed company. The casino has 275 slot machines, 10 progressive jackpots and 8 gaming tables and is located only an hours drive from Cape Town on the N2 highway, in the Overberg town of Caledon.

The hotel and spa are situated comfortably adjacent to the casino complex. The spa has been renowned for centuries, and was probably enjoyed by the original Khoi-Khoi and San inhabitants of the area. Towards the end of the seventeenth century, the Dutch settlers at the Cape discovered their curative properties, and in 1897 work was started on a handsome double-storey hotel to rival any English or Continental spa of the day, the forerunner of the luxurious facilities that you can enjoy today.

Phone: 028 214 5100
Website: www.caledoncasino.co.za

Garden Route Casino [Mossel Bay]

Located in Mossel Bay, the Garden Route Casino floor boasts 376 slot machines and 16 gaming tables in an elegant setting, accommodating both smokers and non-smokers in comfort. The exclusive Salon Prive offers another 6 tables and 36 slot machines in sophisticated style. The casino is licenced by the Western Cape Gambling and Racing Board.

Phone: 044 606 7777
Website: www.gardenroutecasino.co.za

Club Mykonos [Langebaan]

Casino Mykonos offers plenty of fun under the West Coast sun. Test your playing skills and have an opportunity to strike it rich on the spin of a wheel or the fall of a card at this premium West Coast casino.  Just a short walk from your accommodation, a world of excitement awaits in the intimate surrounds of the sparkling casino. Roulette, blackjack, poker and slots are offered and day care facilities are available.

Phone: 022 707 8078
Website: www.clubmykonos.co.za