We travelled to Cape Town with our 13-year-old Kidsetter in tow. We stayed in the heart of Cape Town with breathtaking views of Table Mountain. Unfortunately, the cable car closes for maintenance repair 6 weeks a year and we happened to be visiting during this time.
Nearby, on the slopes on Signal hill, facing Cape Town, lies a vibrant and colourful neighbourhood known as the Bo-Kaap. To the non Dutch speakers “bo” means upper and “Kaap” means cape, so its literal meaning is “Upper Cape” due to its positioning overlooking the city and Table Mountain.
Today this area is home to arguably the most colourful neighbourhood in Cape town lined with beautiful cobblestone streets built by the Dutch.
Due to the influx of enslaved people from such a diverse range of places, the Bo-Kaap also boasts its very own cuisine, known as Cape Malay cooking.
Admittedly the weather was not kind to us whilst visiting Cape Town, so had to adapt our activities to indoors as much as possible. One such activity which quickly became a highlight was experiencing a Cape Malay cooking class in a Bo-Kaap home ran by a great story teller named Faldela Tolker. We had a blast and enjoyed eating the fruits of our labour !
Another indoor activity we enjoyed was afternoon tea at the infamous Mount Nelson hotel.
An indulgent feast of sumptuous cakes, pastries and sandwiches stacked in tiers whilst enjoying live piano music sets the scene.
Our Kidsetter loves playing chess so it wasn’t long before he found the games room and we had a few gruelling games.
Next, we attended Agatha Christie’s Witness for the Prosecution play at the Pieter Torien Theatre.
An ingenious and gripping courtroom drama full of justice, passion, betrayal and revenge.
The following day we enjoyed visiting the V&A Waterfront which is one of Africa’s most visited destinations with almost 24 million visitors annually. It is situated in the oldest working harbour in the southern hemisphere, with the iconic Table Mountain as its backdrop and extensive views of the ocean and mountain peaks.
The vibrant atmosphere and stunning waterfront views truly captures the essence of Cape Town’s vibrant culture.
We were fortunate to have a great friend in Cape Town who drove us to visit all the must-see sights. We drove to Stellenbosch which is a stunning town in the Western Cape province of South Africa, situated about 50km east of Cape Town, along the banks of the Eerste River at the foot of the Stellenbosch Mountain.
A town scenic countryside town internationally renowned for its beautiful environment, wine farms, street cafés, restaurants, quality wines, historical buildings.
The South African wine industry produces about 1,000,000,000 litres of wine annually.
Boschendal (Dutch for bush and dale) is one of the oldest Wine Estates in South Africa and is located between Franschhoek and Stellenbosch in South Africa’s Western Cape.
This Iconic wine farm is nestled in one of the most picturesque valleys in the Cape Winelands, spanning over 330 years of winemaking tradition.
Next, we visited Lanzerac Wine Estate, steeped in history dating back to 1692. The grande dame is synonymous with old-world charm and rich Cape heritage.
Positioned in the idyllic Jonkershoek Valley on the outskirts of the historical town of Stellenbosch, the Estate boasts views of dramatic mountain ranges, endless rows of lush vineyards and hectares of gardens shaded by giant Oak trees.
Huddled between scenic vineyards and towering mountains, the picturesque village of Franschhoek is located 45 minutes from Cape Town.
Known as the French Corner of the Cape, Franschhoek boasts an elegant charm, visible through the architecture and culture that salutes the town’s French history.
Nestled in the charming main street of Franschhoek, we discovered Huguenot Fine Chocolates. Each chocolate is hand-crafted with meticulous care, using premium Belgian dark, milk, white and ruby chocolate.
On a whim, we booked into their immersive “Chocolate Experience” – a half-hour programme of tasting, live demonstrations, and a fascinating history of chocolate making. This interactive experience gave us a glimpse into the art and science of chocolate-making, led by skilled chocolatiers.
We visited Groot Constantia, provincial heritage site reflecting a rich blend of architectural styles spanning centuries of history.
Originally designed in a late Dutch Renaissance style, the major house exudes elegance and refinement with its double-storey structure and grand rooms paved with white marble. The wine cellar, built behind the homestead, showcases elements of neo-classicism, with a sculpture adorning it’s pediment believed to be the work of the renowned German sculptor Anton Anreith.
The Jonkershuis complex, once serving a slaves quarters and stables, features characteristic wolf-nose gables an a widened gallery. Despite the passage of time and various modifications, the buildings of Groot Contantia continue to stand as enduring symbols of South Africa’s architectural heritage.
We enjoyed a delicious lunch at Simon’s Restaurant in a fun baroque styled setting.
We visited the picturesque coastal village of Simon’s Town which is the gateway to the Marine Big 5 of False Bay with a treasured maritime heritage.
Amongst a sheltered cove between Simon’s Town and Cape Point, Boulders has become world famous for it’s thriving colony of African Penguins and magnificent wind sheltered, safe beaches.
It is one of the few sites where this endangered bird can be observed at close range, wandering freely in a protected natural environment.
From just two breeding pairs in 1982, the penguin colony has grown to about 2,200 in recent years.
On our final day in Cape Town we visited Lion’s Head. It is not merely a mountain but a living testament to Cape Town’s rich history.
From it’s origins as a navigational landmark to its significance in indigenous culture, the mountain’s past is intertwined with the city’s story.
Lion’s Head is a prominent peak, 669 metres high, snuggled between Table Mountain and Signal Hill. The peak boasts the Cape Floral Kingdom of Table Mountain’s National Park, one of the world’s richest floral regions.
To end our time in Cape Town we took a stroll in the affluent neighbourhood Sea Point along the shore’s Promenade stretching all the way into Mouille Point past Green Point.
A fabulous mixture of beachfront serenity whilst boasting a vibrant and lively atmosphere.
