Josh and I have just returned from a sensational 9-day break in South Africa, where we spent the majority of the trip exploring the beautiful Cape Town. With beaches comprising of stunning (if a little cold) azure waters and white sands, picturesque mountain walks and drives, and bustling harbour-view restaurants, shops and bars; Cape Town really does have it all. Like most people we did have our reservations about safety before we arrived, but after spending half a day in the city these reservations quickly disappeared. Don’t get me wrong, you obviously have to keep your wits about you, but isn’t that true of any city? (London included!)
We spent our days hiking up mountains, wandering about the Victoria & Alfred waterfront, relaxing on the warm sands of Clifton beach and Camps Bay, and enjoying the native and delicious South African wine (and a frozen daiquiri or two). I don’t think I’ve ever eaten as well as I did in the Western Cape and with a generous fillet steak and fresh lobster linguine costing the equivalent of about £6, there’s really no excuse not to. Of course we did try South Africa’s traditional cuisine of crocodile, springbok and ostrich, which you will find at the authentic Mama Africa cafe in the city centre.
Highlights from the trip included cocktails at Camps Bay
(which at night looks even-more spectacular), views from Cape Town’s most
iconic landmark – Table Mountain, and a day spent at Boulders Beach – home to
thousands of wild African penguins. Other things not to miss include High Tea and
the Mount Nelson Hotel (described as the “best tea in the world” by the UK
Sunday Times) and the Cape of Good Hope, a nature reserve which lies at the tip
of the Cape Peninsula.
For anyone considering visiting the city, I cannot recommend
it enough. Cape Town has everything you need for any holiday whether it be a
cultural city break or a relaxing beach vacation you’re after. It’s even great
if you are looking for an adventurous get-away as there’s tonnes for adrenaline
junkies too, including shark cage diving and bungee jumping.
I hope you don’t mind the mass of photos included in this
post – there are just too many good ones to choose from and I would love to
share as many as possible.
