CAPE TOWN

The coastal South African city of Cape Town might be best known for great white sharks and rebellious neighbourhoods. But a trip here will prove there is so much more going on underneath the skin of the so-called ‘Tavern of the Seas’. Venture to the endless vineyards of the Cape Winelands, where Dutch and French colonialism can be seen in charming buildings and multicultural culinary delights, or take a journey off the mainland to Robben Island where you can visit the former cell of the great Nelson Mandela. Back in the city centre travellers find themselves wowed by the pastel neighbourhood of Bo-Kaap and the alternative culture of Long Street, where bookstores, bars and multicultural restaurants are alive and plenty. For the best views of the city one needs to venture to the top of Table Mountain on the Aerial Cableway, which has traversed some 27-million along its lines since opening in 1929. Back on sea level there is another showstopping view attracting visitors - the colony of penguins on Boulder Beach that flap around with pride knowing they are the only species of penguin found on the continent. Brave tourists can journey further offshore to the territories of the country’s more famous water creature, descending into the water with only a few metal bars standing between their body and the teeth of powerful sharks. If your trip has flexibility it could be timed with the Cape Town International Jazz Festival, Berg River Winter Carnival, or any of the other festivals that bring this city to life. Meanwhile, those with a hankering for museum hopping can see fossils with 250 million years of history at Iziko or be moved by recounts of the apartheid at District Six Museum. Top it all off with bunny chow of curry served in hollow bread or bobotie which is something of an omelette with the mince of spaghetti.