It seems that the fact that Cape Town, South Africa, was rationing water and near “day zero” was causing tourists to stay away from this wonderful city. It is no longer a problem. The Cape Town and South African governments have confirmed that “day zero” for water has been avoided for 2018 and 2019! Due to the coordinated water conservation efforts by government, business, locals and visitors, the region was able to reduce water consumption by over 50%. This, combined with ample winter rains that began in May, has resolved the water issue and makes the city of Cape Town a model for water- wise tourism.
Plan your trip to Cape Town now! We convinced our eldest daughter to take her family, and they loved it, so know it is a place to take grandchildren.
WHEN TO GO The seasons are reversed, and when it is winter here it is summer in South Africa. Some say the best time to go is late January to late April, the tail end of the city's dry summer months, but we and our daughter went in July, as we wanted to do a safari in their winter to avoid snakes and bugs. The weather was very comfortable in July, just needing a light jacket. So, consider how you want to experience a safari, and then it will be fine to tour Cape Town any time of the year. WHERE TO STAY The Silo has become the “in” hotel in Cape Town. Silo Square; A Waterfront, Cape Town, 8801, South Africa. You need not spend for the best room and a Table Mountain view, but you cannot beat the location on the Waterfront, adjacent to the Water Shed and the Waterfront Food Market. WHAT TO DO Review the New York Times article, “36 Hours in Cape Town,”By Sarah Khan, updated July 19, 2016. Table Mountain is now one of the New7 Wonders of the World. Know that the winds may shut down the gondola, so plan on doing this first based on when it is open. The article recommends Cape Town’s Alcatraz: Robben Island, five miles off the coast, saying, “Though the island’s history as a prison dates to the 17th century, its notoriety stems from its most famous inmate, Nelson Mandela, who spent nearly two decades of his 27-year sentence for sabotage against the apartheid government. A visit is an essential primer to understanding the gravity of apartheid and its impact on the 22-year-old nation. Guides are former political pris-oners once incarcerated here. Ferries leave several times a day; plan to spend about four hours including the round-trip ferry. Admission, 300 rand (or $20.60 at 14.56 rand to the dollar); 160 for children.” However, we were warned that the sea waters are rough and the ride bumpy, so if you get seasick or uncomfortable, it may be something you skip. We did. We went on the A K Luxury Small Group Journey, South Africa & Victoria Falls.
We saw most of the must see highlights with this fabulous tour, Table Mountain, City Tour, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden alongside a private local guide, Cape Point, the mountainous and scenic promontory at the southwestern tip of the continent, the “bikini beaches” at the base of the Twelve Apostles Mountains, Hout Bay with its fishing harbor, the stunning Cape Peninsula and Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, ride the “Flying Dutchman” funicular to the great pinnacle at blustery Cape Point, which presides over treacherous reefs, sandy beaches and, from July to November, breathtaking views of Southern right whales. At Boulders Beach, we enjoyed watching the penguins frolicking on the sand and in the water. Hire a guide to utilize your time efficiently and effectively and to take you outside the city. We found a fabulous guide on Tripadvisor.
Rob Davidowitz
Beautiful Cape Town Tours Skype: beautifulcapetowntours [M] +27 (0)84 434 3497 [T] +27 (0)21 434 3497 [F] +27 (0)86 672 8432 Experience the Best of Cape Town and the Winelands with one of the best private guides in Rob. Rob is passionate about Cape Town and the Winelands and his personal and insightful stories bring Cape Town and the Winelands alive. There are not enough accolades my husband and I can give about Rob, and our outstanding and unique two days spent with him. He personalized our itinerary to us as if he had known us for years and knew exactly what would make us the happiest and understand and appreciate Cape Town from the perspective of a extremely knowledgeable local. Through his own personal life and experiences in South Africa, we learned to love Cape Town and South Africa. We felt as if we were standing with Rob in front of the statue before City Hall where, as a young South African, he was present when Mandela spoke publicly for the first time. We loved hearing the personal history of his own family as well as the history of Jews in South Africa at the Jewish Museum. With his passion for winemaking, at the vineyard where he produces his own wines in the Winelands, we learned more about wine from him than ever before in our many trips to vineyards elsewhere in the world. With his passion for great food, we shared meals at some of the best restaurants we have enjoyed in the world, and he shared his personal favorite restaurants in Capetown for us to sample. As world travelers, from our experience, we rate Rob as one of the best guides with whom we have had the privilege to become acquainted. If you are fortunate to find him available when you plan to visit Cape Town and the Winelands, you too will have an amazing experience and fabulous memories to last a lifetime. Definitely take a helicopter flight around the peninsular –it is not expensive at all.
Check out this article in Cape Town Magazine about why to take a helicopter ride, and get a 10% discount. In the Winelands, Rob took us to meet the chocolatier, Pieter De Villiers, and his wife Cornell who will guide you through a fun-filled chocolate tasting. All of Pieter’s chocolate is totally unique using single origin cacao beans. So they know exactly which part of the chocolate world their beans come from. You will learn about chocolate and where it comes from in Africa. WHERE TO EAT We asked our guide, Rob Davidowitz to recommend restaurants that locals love and here is his list and comments. We ate at Cod Father and loved it. Remember to ask for a table overlooking the ocean and get there before dark for the view. We ate at La Mouette, in a charming old house, with fabulous food, but only a prix fix menu. Rob took us to lunch at Hemelhuijs recommended in the New York Times article, “36 Hours in Cape Town.” We ate at Ryan's Kitchen in the Winelands, and yes, the chef is outstanding. It is an open kitchen and he said hello to Rob and us. Rob personally said to avoid the V&A Waterfront like the plague as it is totally and entirely tourist inclined. Here are Rob’s recommendations for locally popular restaurants in addition to checking out a website, Eatout:
Arnolds – Ultra casual – one of the most popular local hangouts. Great basic local fare with a glass of beer
Aubergine – Very sophisticated, top 10 for many years, African European cuisine. Bocca – Casual – interesting contemporary Cape Town food culture. Our personal choice for Wednesday nights Carne – Fabulous carnivore restaurant in the centre city. Definitely, the best meat in the city. Cod Father – very casual seafood restaurant close to the Camps Bay beachfront. Very casual and “very Cape Town” Hudson’s – best burgers this side of Pluto. Totally casual and totally Cape Town. La Boheme – Completely unpretentious, local cosy and welcoming eatery. Amazing value for this quality of food La mouette – Fine dining in an elegant space at non fine dining prices. One of the big secrets of CapeTown Miller’s thumb – easy going, fun, super reliable, semi trendy. Paranga – Very trendy on the Camps bay beach front. Very popular Restaurants in the Franschhoek and Stellenbosch areas that he recommends: Grande Provence – Elegant garden dining – Fabulous Pierneef at La Motte – Really interesting contemporary South African cuisine. Tokara – Fabulous setting, amazing building, well known chef and a good plate of food as well. Terroir – Typical Cape winelands cuisine Ryan’s Kitchen – This chap knows how to cook. WHERE TO SHOP Watershed at the V&A Waterfront is the best. The Shed is made up of dozens of artisans and their mostly inexpensive handmade local crafts. Head On Design was one of my favorite booths in the Shed in Capetown. A preview of what you will see in Capetown at the Watershed before you see the real animals on safari!
See the products, modern animal sculptures from natural and recyclable materials. These are flat and easy to bring home and then make when you get home. Great gifts too! Our grandson brought one home that he cherishes.
Cape Town is a stop on the way to a South African safari, and a must do for at least four to five days, if you intend to see the Winelands. You will love the city and appreciate what the city has accomplished to make itself tourist friendly.
Joy,
Mema