Cape Town, SOUTH AFRICA
Airing Date: Apr 17th, 2006
Cape Town is a city like no other. It's a contrast of vibrant activity and meditative relaxation and is often compared to Rio de Janeiro, Sydney and San Francisco, with many travellers finding it one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
Cape Town is dominated by the flat-topped bulk of Table Mountain. Take a cable car to scale the 1000 metres to the top or climb it if you dare! It'll take a while and a fair bit of climbing experience! From the top you can see what must be one of the greatest views in Africa - the sweeping ocean and stunning coastline! Below the mountain are a myriad of great things to see and do!
Don't miss the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront or finding that great souvenir at the Green Market Square. Take a boat trip out to the infamous Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years before being released in 1990. If you want a bit more colour then try Bo Kaap! This is the home area of the Cape Malay people where the houses are painted all sorts of amazing colours!
Cape Town is the main city in the Western Cape province. It has South Africa's fifth largest population, numbering in the region of 4.5 million inhabitants. The story of the Republic of South Africa began in the Western Cape, some 350 years ago, when it was inhabited by the Khoi, San and other Bantu-speaking groups. In the late 15th century European seafarers arrived here in search of a halfway stop on trade routes to the East and thereby changed the face of South African history forever.
The Western Cape as a whole is one of South Africa's premier tourist attractions, and for good reason. As well as all of Cape Town's attractions it has vast wine lands, magnificent beaches, world-class restaurants and cosmopolitan entertainment haunts. The Cape boasts exquisite scenery and an eclectic array of cultures and tourist treasures that are just waiting to be discovered.
One of the undoubted highlights is the 70km trip south to the Cape of Good Hope on the south-western tip of Africa, the meeting point of the cold Atlantic and the warm Indian Oceans.
Further Information
South African Airways to Cape Town from $2405 ex west coast and $2650 ex east coast. Prices include taxes. Subject to fluctuation. Conditions apply
South African Airways
02 9286 8960
Website: www.flysaa.com
Rooms from $570 a night at Table Bay Hotel.
0011 27 21 406 5000
Website: www.southafrica.net
Prices correct at 17/4/06
