Discovering Culture And History On A South African Holiday
With close to 2 million visitors a year, South Africa’s capital city, Cape Town, is fast becoming one of the largest tourist hotspots in the world. So it’s time to pack the bags, sort out the holiday insurance and get ready for the holiday of a lifetime in South Africa.
For those travelling to Cape Town, a visit to the Cape Winelands is an absolute must as the region is one full of breathtaking vistas and majestic mountain backdrops, while also being steeped in rich culture and history. Rolling vineyards and quaint Cape Dutch homesteads await visitors, as well as award-wining wine farms offering some of the region’s best wines – the perfect accompaniment the delicious dishes that are available.
The wine farms of Stellenbosch are the closest in distance to Cape Town and are within a 45 minute drive of the city centre. This is the most well known wine region and home to the first official wine route in the area, founded in 1971. A variety of cellars, producing some of the country’s most acclaimed wines are located in the town. Stellenbosch is also a university town and the oak-lined Dorp Street is home to museums and galleries, as well as many student cafes and restaurants, leaving you with a plethora of cultural and historical attractions to explore during your visit.
Not to be forgotten are the highly acclaimed wine estates in the Constantia Valley. Also located in beautiful surroundings with stunning mountain backdrops, the Constantia Valley boasts some of the oldest estates and homesteads along with award winning wines.
Wine tasting, cellar tours and stopping to enjoy the scenic beauty at the various wine farms could easily take a day or more, so it is advisable to have a rough idea of where you would like to go before you set out. Many of the wine estates have become very tourist orientated in recent years, offering guided tours, gift shops and restaurants while at some of the small estates you may end up sitting in a rustic cellar sipping wines with the wine maker himself.
Of course, it’s not just the wine that travellers visit Cape Town for. Table Mountain is Cape Town’s most prominent feature and a world famous landmark. Sculpted from sandstone, this huge mountain is visible from almost everywhere in the city. 600,000 tourists ascend the 1086 metres of the mountain by cable car annually and it’s a must for any visitor to the city, offering unparalleled views of Cape Town and the beaches that surround it. For the more energetic traveller, there are some 350 recognised paths to the summit, with the less demanding paths being suitable for children.
The V & A Waterfront is South Africa’s most visited attraction. Situated in the working harbour of Cape Town, the Waterfront offers a myriad of shopping, dining and entertainment opportunities. Lit up beautifully at night with Table Mountain looking down on the harbour, the Waterfront is a great place to sit with a cocktail and take in the scenery and stunning ocean views that South Africa is famous for.
On a trip to South Africa, it’s important to remember the essential such as your passport, credit cards and some pocket change in South African Rand. Travel insurance and – depending where you are flying from – the necessary paperwork should also be looked into beforehand in order to avoid any disasters.
So whether you’re going to enjoy the wine, the culture or the scenery, South Africa holidays offer something for everyone and, as the weather gets colder in the Northern Hemisphere, it’s the perfect time to consider a trip to Cape Town as summer in South Africa is just beginning.
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