| It's been said so many times it's almost a | | | | city, this Malay quarter is simply charming |
| cliché - but like most clichés it's | | | | with its warm and friendly community and |
| perfectly true - Cape Town is 'one of the | | | | multi-coloured terraced homes interspersed |
| most beautiful cities in the world'. Most | | | | with turreted mosques. At the heart of the |
| first-time visitors to South Africa's 'Mother | | | | city is the bustling Green Market Square, a |
| City' have little real idea what to expect | | | | popular spot for tourists looking for some |
| beyond the post-card view of the iconic Table | | | | African mementos or funky clothing. Less well |
| Mountain and some vague notions about | | | | known, a block away, is the impressive |
| possibly buying a wooden giraffe carving for | | | | multi-story Pan African Market which is a |
| the entry hall back home… And for many | | | | treasure trove of carvings, art, clothing and |
| the 'obvious' is all they will take back with | | | | musical instruments from all over Africa - at |
| them - the sites and experiences offered in | | | | much more reasonable prices. A stroll through |
| every second tour guide's brochure. They'll | | | | the Company Gardens affords beautiful views |
| have a good time, but there is so much more | | | | of the mountain rising up through the fringe |
| to this place curved lovingly around the tip | | | | of green foliage. Museums and Art Galleries |
| of Africa. Cape Town is a city crammed full | | | | abound, and it is not uncommon to find |
| of life, interwoven with vibrant colours and | | | | artists working throughout this squirrel's |
| cultures. The city centre and suburbs which | | | | playground. Of course a drive around the |
| surround and spread out from the lower slopes | | | | awe-inspiring Cape Point is not to be missed |
| of Table Mountain are filled with the sounds | | | | - but don't just stroll up to the top of the |
| of many languages as her children live and | | | | paved walkway - get adventurous and explore |
| laugh and fight and co-exist together in this | | | | the sheer cliffs below (taking care, of |
| place they call home. If you give her a | | | | course) - Getting wet from the spray of waves |
| chance, and are prepared to look beyond the | | | | crashing far below while you cling to the tip |
| numerous wonderful yet over-done tourist | | | | of the African continent is a rush many miss |
| attractions and in-your-face geographical | | | | out on! You only live once - and Cape Town |
| beauty, Cape Town will open her heart to you | | | | offers many exciting adventures to make your |
| and show you her true self. There are so many | | | | visit one of the most exhilarating times of |
| fascinating contrasts to Cape Town that you | | | | your time on earth! Shark cage diving, |
| will be continually surprised around every | | | | abseiling, kloofing, surfing - unlimited |
| corner. The playground of the rich and | | | | adrenalin pumping action is available |
| famous, Cape Town's elite stretch of | | | | throughout Cape Town. From the verdant Wine |
| coastline from Camp's Bay through to | | | | Farms surrounding Stellenbosch to the |
| Llandudno offers the ultimate in luxury - an | | | | sprawling townships of the Cape Flats and |
| unexpected surprise for those visitors who | | | | Khayelitsha; from the welcoming waves of the |
| enjoy their creature-comforts and are | | | | Indian Ocean to the icy embrace of the |
| nervously anticipating Darkest Africa with a | | | | Atlantic; the Penguin colony at Boulder's |
| limited hot water supply. Palm-lined beaches, | | | | Beach to the Southern Right whales playing in |
| trendy lifestyle centres and premium luxury | | | | the bays - Cape Town, the Mother City, is a |
| accommodation are all delightfully sprinkled | | | | multi-faceted wonder-woman - so much more |
| along this Utopian millionaire's strip. Drive | | | | than just a pretty face. Don't wait till the |
| into the City centre and be prepared for a | | | | 2010 FIFA World Cup to discover her charms - |
| complete change of scenery. Starting in the | | | | Cape Town is waiting now with warm and |
| colourful 'Bo-Kaap' area at the top of the | | | | wide-open arms. |