The charming colonial city of Cape Town lies at the southwestern tip of South Africa, close to the perilous seas around the Cape of Good Hope. It is the southernmost city in Africa and is surrounded by world-famous wineries and beautiful countryside. Although it is not the capital city, it is the legislative capital city of South Africa and the Parliament buildings can be visited.
The city of Cape Town is relatively compact and is easy to explore on foot, or using local buses and taxis. It is set against the backdrop of Table Mountain. Cable car trips to the summit are best taken in the morning as most afternoons the cloud descends over the mountain and looks like a lacy tablecloth covering the plateau. The old port around Table Bay has partly been redeveloped as the V&A Waterfront with many individual shops and restaurants. It is a delightful place to dine outdoors and after dark the sound of live music drifts across the water beneath a starry sky. Enjoy antelope steak and fresh seafood accompanied by some of the cheapest and best wines in the world.
The city has some fine attractions and many museums. The Castle has a collection of Old Dutch furniture and military exhibits. Boat trips can be taken to Robben Island to tour the former prison for political prisoners. The Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens are among the most stunning in the world with wonderful safari plants, exotic flowers and rare trees. Further afield the wineries and the Garden Route are just waiting to be explored.
Cape Town also has some gorgeous sandy beaches close by with excellent surfing. The weather ranges from 26C (79F) in January to 17C (64F) in July as it is in the southern hemisphere. The cooler months can also see some rain showers.