Where Africa meets the world. As well as being Africa's southernmost city, Cape Town is also its most cosmopolitan metropolis, having once been home to the European colonialists who ruled South Africa, while also attracting migrants from across the continent. The cultural and racial conflicts that characterised the nation's history for several centuries are well documented, and South Africa's nickname - the Rainbow Nation - is testament to the unity and diversity of its modern inhabitants, and nowhere is this better expressed than in Cape Town. Whether you choose to wonder among the brightly-coloured houses of the traditionally Muslim Bo-Kaap neighbourhood, learn about the period of Dutch rule by visiting the Castle of Good Hope (Cape Town's oldest building, constructed in 1666) or follow in the footsteps of Nelson Mandela by taking a tour of Robben Island, you'll be amazed at the rich cultural tapestry that is waiting to be unravelled in the city. Perhaps the best way to appreciate the full picture, however, is to ascend Table Mountain, the iconic flat-topped peak that rises from the sea and overlooks all of Cape Town. Views from the top are simply stunning, and you may even spot zebras grazing on the slopes of the mountain itself, if you keep a sharp eye out. There are a number of options for reaching the summit, with cable cars to take all the hassle out of the climb for those who fancy taking it easy. Alternatively, if you'd like to climb the mountain yourself, you'll find the Platteklip Gorge route to be the most leisurely option, with the hike taking around two hours. As you'd expect from a city with such a fascinating history, Cape Town is home to several outstanding museums, with the South African National Gallery being an excellent place to learn more about the nation's past through the medium of art. There are also loads of great restaurants in Cape Town where you can enjoy typical South African delicacies like ostrich and Springbok. Check out the likes of Beluga in Green Point, meanwhile, if you want to tuck into to some local seafood.
Where Africa meets the world. As well as being Africa's southernmost city, Cape Town is also its most cosmopolitan metropolis, having once been home to the European colonialists who ruled South Africa, while also attracting migrants from across the continent. The cultural and racial conflicts that characterised the nation's history for several centuries are well documented, and South Africa's nickname - the Rainbow Nation - is testament to the unity and diversity of its modern inhabitants, and nowhere is this better expressed than in Cape Town. Whether you choose to wonder among the brightly-coloured houses of the traditionally Muslim Bo-Kaap neighbourhood, learn about the period of Dutch rule by visiting the Castle of Good Hope (Cape Town's oldest building, constructed in 1666) or follow in the footsteps of Nelson Mandela by taking a tour of Robben Island, you'll be amazed at the rich cultural tapestry that is waiting to be unravelled in the city. Perhaps the best way to appreciate the full picture, however, is to ascend Table Mountain, the iconic flat-topped peak that rises from the sea and overlooks all of Cape Town. Views from the top are simply stunning, and you may even spot zebras grazing on the slopes of the mountain itself, if you keep a sharp eye out. There are a number of options for reaching the summit, with cable cars to take all the hassle out of the climb for those who fancy taking it easy. Alternatively, if you'd like to climb the mountain yourself, you'll find the Platteklip Gorge route to be the most leisurely option, with the hike taking around two hours. As you'd expect from a city with such a fascinating history, Cape Town is home to several outstanding museums, with the South African National Gallery being an excellent place to learn more about the nation's past through the medium of art. There are also loads of great restaurants in Cape Town where you can enjoy typical South African delicacies like ostrich and Springbok. Check out the likes of Beluga in Green Point, meanwhile, if you want to tuck into to some local seafood.
