Cape Town

Cape Town is dominated by a towering, table-shaped mountain, Table Mountain, the V&A Waterfront and Cape Point. Cape Town Xhosa: iKapa) is the third most populous city in South Africa. And provincial capital of the Western Cape. Cape Town is famous for its harbour as well as its natural setting in the Cape floral kingdom. Often regarded as one of the world's most beautiful cities because of its geography, Cape Town is the most popular South African destination for tourism.

Originally developed as a station for Dutch ships sailing to Eastern Africa, India, and the Far East more than 200 years before the construction of the Suez Canal in 1869. Jan van Riebeeck's arrival on 6 April 1652 established the first permanent European settlement in sub-Saharan Africa. It was the largest city in South Africa until the growth of Johannesburg and Durban. The city has a population of 2.95 million.

Transport
Cape Town International Airport serves both domestic and international flights. It is the second-largest airport in South Africa and serves as a major gateway for travellers to the Cape region. Cape Town has direct flights to most cities(Flights Johannesburg) in South Africa as well as a number of international destinations.

Cape Town has a long tradition as a port city. The Port of Cape Town, the city's main port, is located in Table Bay directly to the north of the central business district. The port is a hub for ships in the southern Atlantic: it is located along one of the busiest shipping corridors in the world.

Three national roads start in Cape Town: the N1 which links Cape Town with Johannesburg. N2 which links Cape Town with Port Elizabeth and Durban and the N7 which links Cape Town with Namibia.

Cape Town has two kinds of taxis: metered taxis and minibus taxis. Unlike many cities, metered taxis are not allowed to drive around the city to solicit fares and instead must be called to a specific location. Minibus taxis are the standard form of transport for the majority of the population who cannot afford private vehicles. Although essential, these taxis are often poorly maintained and are frequently not road-worthy. These taxis make frequent unscheduled stops to pick up.

The usual car rental companies are on the airport site .It is very advantageous to book and prepay cars in advance.

Johannesburg flights to Cape Town by no-frill carriers Mango, Kulula and Flysaa.

Entertainment and Dining
Cape Town is famous for its beautiful antiques - from art nouveau jewellery to rare books and precious objects - which can be discovered in the stalls along paved Church Street, or behind the shop fronts of the original Victorian buildings lining Long Street and its surrounds. A block or two further, the dazzling colours, textures, smells and sounds of Greenmarket Square, the city's favourite flea market, enthral all who experience it. V&A Waterfront complex and Cavendish Square in the leafy Southern Suburbs. One should not, of course, forget the enormous Canal Walk and Tyger Valley Centre as well as the opulent Somerset Mall - a short drive from the city centre.

The thing you can be certain of is that, here, there is a restaurant to satisfy your every craving, every whim - and not least of all to accommodate the high- and low-points of your budget. In Cape Town it is possible to eat and drink exceptionally well for R150 a head. While most local restaurants pride themselves on carefully chosen, comprehensive wine lists, one can often take along a bottle of one's own wine for a small corkage fee. In South Africa, tips are not generally included in the cost of a meal, but 10% of the bill is considered the going rate.

Cape Town has excellent theatres ,clubs, pubs, musicians ,shopping malls and a variety of sport stadiums.

Sightseeing
- Take a harbour tour
- Visit Mandela’s Robben Island
- Drive along Chapman’s Peak to Hout Bay village
- Explore the views from Table Mountain
- Experience the ambience of Sea Point
- Visit the Theme Park on your way to Tyger Valley Centre
- The wine route to Stellenbosch is a must
- A bit further away the French Quarter of Franschoek
Accommodation

The best international chain of hotels will be competing to serve you. Be warned that Cape town can be very busy at times and demand for the best hotels can outstrip supply. Numerous luxury informal guest houses have appeared to fill this gap in the market. Tap water is drinkable.

Places of Interest

Table Mountain
The 2 images depicted above show a view at Table Mountain over looking Cape Town and the second image is the view from the top of Table Mountain.