Considered to be one of the global hot spots, Cape Town offers the foreign traveller good value for money and, according to Frommers, "is regularly heralded as one of the most beautiful (cities) on earth" due to its unique scenery. Whether you are into sophistication or slumming it, searching for adventure or tranquility, Cape Town is sure to be a pleasant surprise. Pairing the natural beauty with a vibey and friendly culture, there are a variety of delights ranging from award winning French-style wines to Malay cuisine, fine art and architecture, a wealth of historical sights and much more on offer.
Tourist information centres abound and offer a range of guides, maps and details of opening hours for local attractions, including the wine estates, many of which are located within a 90 minute scenic drive from Cape Town.
Normal shopping hours are between 08h00 and 17h30, though big malls operate daily between 09h00 and 21h00. Traveler’s cheques and foreign currency are not the norm, but major credit and debit cards are widely accepted. Value Added Tax (14%) is included in all purchases and foreign visitors can reclaim the VAT on expenditures exceeding ZAR 250.00. Banking hours are from 09h00 to 15h30 weekdays and 08h30 to 11h00 on Saturdays.
South Africa operates two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time throughout the year.
October till March are the most popular tourist months, but with its temperate Mediterranean climate and temperatures ranging between 8 and 25 degrees Celsius, Cape Town is a recommended destination for any time of year, certain aspects such as the indigenous flora being more seasonal.
Airlines from all five continents service South Africa and land at the Cape Town International Airport, which has been voted the "Leading Airport in Africa" at the World Travel Awards. ATMs, bars, restaurants and currency exchange facilities are available throughout the airport, as are a number of shops. Many of the flights also touch down at Johannesburg en-route, making it quite viable to experience the South African landscape by including a trip on the Blue Train or luxurious Rovos Rail between Johannesburg and Cape Town.
A number of cruise lines dock at Cape Town, including one of the few remaining old mail ships, the RMS St Helena, which sets sail from Southampton. Further options include overland journeys (such as Cape to Cairo) provided by a number of tour operators. Air travel to Durban and a three-day coastal cruise to Cape Town is also possible, as is travel on any of a number of coaches which interlink the major cities and provides economical access to some of the more remote destinations.
A flight from London lasts approximately 12 hours (usually overnight) and one can travel from the USA in about 15 hours. There are shuttle bus services and taxis from the airport which will whisk you into the CBD in less than half an hour and a number of car rental agencies are also represented. Sedan taxis are plentiful and charge between ZAR 8 – ZAR 11 per km. For the brave there are also numerous somewhat crowded and not-always-safe minibus taxis.
Although the Mount Nelson is the Grande Old Dame of Cape accommodation and features colonial elegance in scenic surroundings at the foot of Table Mountain, the luxury hotel
Cape Grace has on occasion been awarded "Best Hotel in the World" status and remains a firm favorite with visitors to Cape Town. There is also the very popular and upmarket Southern Sun Cape Sun (located in the City center), as well as the nearby Victoria & Alfred Hotel at the V&A Waterfront and the Cape Town Lodge.
A more economical alternative is the centrally located Park Inn Greenmarket Square, which is adjacent to the oldest hotel in Cape Town, the Tudor . The relatively new ArabellaSheraton Grand Hotel offers easy access to the CBD as well as surrounding regions and is situated at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC).
A visit to Cape Town would be incomplete without exploring the eclectic mix of shops, bars, clubs and cosmopolitan restaurants to be found in Long Street and for those wishing to experience truly African cuisine, a visit to the Africa Café is recommended. Fine dining can also be found at Ginja and Madame Zingara.
The infrastructure, numerous outdoor activities and its rich cultural heritage has led to Cape Town being described as a "must-see before I die" city. Major developments are already underway in preparation for the 2010 World Cup and a new ultra-luxurious hotel is being built at the V&A Waterfront with canals which would connect to Century City, effectively creating a mini-Venice. Whether you're an eco-tourist, culture-vulture or simply looking for adventure and a great vacation, Cape Town is sure to exceed your expectations.
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