Day 1 in Cape Town

Welcome to Cape Town! Upon arrival at the airport, you will go through customs and immigration. Should you opt to purchase a transfer to your hotel; a representative will be waiting for you as you exit immigration. Arrive at your hotel, check in and do not give in to jet lag! There is so much for you to see and do!

We recommend you get acquainted with the city and check out the city`s entertainment complex at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront in the heart of the city. Here you can take the optional hop-on-hop-off sightseeing tour which makes stops at famous landmarks such as Table Mountain and 17 other attractions, sit on the top deck of the open air bus and enjoy world class views of this visually stunning city.

Explore the bustling area, filled with restaurants, shops, markets, a Ferris wheel, the clock tower and an aquarium. There are over 80 different eateries located on the waterfront ranging from fine dining to casual where fresh caught fish and seafood is a staple on most menus. Many of the restaurants offer picturesque views of the Atlantic Ocean and Table Mountain.

After some lunch stroll along the promenade, and check out the boutiques where you can do some shopping, enjoy the live performances and music as you take in the sights of the city. You may have time to catch the ferry out to Robben Island, the island where Nelson Mandela served 18 of his 27-year prison sentence at the prison located here. Robben Island is also where he wrote the manuscript for Long Walk to Freedom and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The only way to visit the island is with a tour group and the ferries depart from the V&A Waterfront.

As evening time approaches you can spend it at the popular V&A Waterfront where you will find a wide variety of restaurants serving local Cape Malay cuisine along with other international menus. Grab a cocktail and enjoy the sunset from the spectacular spot, dine on delicious cuisine, wander around the waterfront and promenade and see the area come alive at night with live street performances and music in this vibrant waterfront atmosphere.

Day 2 in Cape Town

Begin your day bright and early by making your way up one of the most iconic places in the Cape, the fabulous Table Mountain, known for the `tablecloth of clouds` that often covers the top. You have two options to reach the top, a 2 ½ - 3-hour hike or the cable car ride, both provide their own unique experience and breathtaking views. At the top of the stunning mountain which dominates the city, visitors can enjoy some of the best views in the entire world. The flat surface (hence the name) at the summit provides visitors with un-obstructed 360 degree views over the entire city of Cape Town and the Cape Peninsula.

Nestled on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain is the visually stunning Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens. These tranquil gardens cover 89 acres of land in a serene setting filled with lush green lawns, protected national forests and plenty of wildlife. You can walk along the `Tree Canopy Walkway` where timber walkways and bridges are strung through the trees, take a picnic and enjoy it on the lawns, you can even attend a live concert at the natural amphitheater (each Sunday afternoon in the summer).

Make your way over to the Rhodes Memorial site which remembers Cecil John Rhodes, the English born South African Politician. The memorial sits on the slopes of Devil`s Peak Mountain just above the University of Cape Town, there are 49 steps leading up to the monument (one for each of Rhodes`s years of life). There is a spectacular tea room famous for its cakes situated just behind the memorial, stop in for some tea and cake and enjoy the scenic surroundings.

As the afternoon approaches, make your way to the captivating Camps Bay, this upscale neighborhood features stunning white sandy beaches, a promenade, hiking trails, restaurants, shopping, and bars. Relax on the beautiful beach lined with palm trees, take a stroll along the soft white sands and enjoy a refreshing dip in the sparkling waters. Grab some food at one of the many beachfront restaurants found in the bay, dine on freshly caught fish or seafood while taking in the incredible ocean views.

Not far from Camps Bay is the equally beautiful location of Clifton Beach, another affluent neighborhood which is home to some of the most expensive real estate in South Africa. Magnificent homes are nestled in the hills and the beach was rated one of the Top Ten Beaches by the Discovery Travel Channel. There are four beaches named 1st to 4th each with its own distinct personality, the beaches here are popular for water sports and surfing.

As evening time approaches, choose one of the many restaurants, bars, clubs and entertainment spots in the city referred to as the `Tavern of the Seven Seas`. Cape Town is bursting with evening entertainment and world-class restaurants with award-winning cuisine, enjoy another delicious meal paired with some of the Capes award-winning wine. After dinner explore what the city has to offer, check out Bree Street, which is one of the newest nightlife hotspots with cool bars or Long Street, which is famous for its nightlife with plenty of drinking establishments.

Day 3 in Cape Town

Head to the market this morning, Greenmarket Square is a historical area in the heart of old Cape Town just a short walk from the V&A Waterfront. Saturday is market day in Cape Town, so if you are visiting on a Saturday be sure to check out Neighborgoods Market at the Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock, the Oranjezicht Farm Market at the Waterfront and Greenmarket for organic produce, artisanal bread, organic ciders and delicious fresh street food. Come hungry as there are numerous restaurants, cafes, and shops that surround Greenmarket Square. Enjoy some breakfast and fresh coffee at the market or one of the eateries around the square and grab all the essentials for a picnic later on.

Not far from the square is the District Six Museum which houses artifacts and documents from the District Six neighborhood which was demolished in the 1960`s during the `Apartheid in South Africa` when residents were forcibly removed by the Government. The center floor of the museum consists of a large map with handwritten notes from the former residents indicating where their homes used to be. There are old traffic signs, photographs and exhibits on the families and the demolition.

Head down the coast to the quaint fishing town of Hout Bay, decorated with beautiful beaches and holiday homes with scenic walking trails and views over the picturesque harbor. The town offers a museum, cafes, restaurants and a popular weekend market.

Continue your journey south to the Cape Peninsula, the rocky peninsula that juts into the Atlantic Ocean. This dynamic region is known for its scenic beauty and natural landscapes situated along the coastline. The sweeping vistas and historic landmarks found here are simply some of the best views in the entire world, with rugged mountains, rocky coastline and plenty of wildlife you will be visually rewarded on this drive. You can drive all the way down to the southernmost point of the Peninsula where you will find The Cape of Good Hope, a reserve which has been globally recognized for its extraordinary land formation, rich and diverse flora and fauna and home to over 250 species of birds.

There are a few great areas to enjoy a great meal and some stunning locations to capture the sunset. False Bay and Chapman`s Peak offer amazing places to dine and watch a sunset waterfront with a bottle of award-winning South African wine.

Alternatively, spend your entire day exploring the spectacular wine region, the Cape Wines are world-renowned and known as the Valley of Vines. The Constantia Valley is one of the most beautiful valleys in the Cape, just 10 minutes south of the city center. This beautiful valley is filled with forests, hills, vineyards and stately homes nestled in the Constantia Mountain. There are at least 10 wine farms found here, 8 of which are award-winning wine estates. Visitors can enjoy tours of the vineyards and estates, dine on some of the best food in the country and taste the region`s wonderful wines.

The other main wine regions situated around Cape Town are Stellensbosch, Paarl, and Franschhoek where wine tours are very popular and participants can enjoy visiting several wineries and sample the wares as part of a day trip. The wine regions boast some of the most spectacular scenery with Cape Dutch style architecture, lush vibrant landscapes and some of the best food and wine in the country.

Additional Days in Cape Town

Should you be able to spend additional days in Cape Town, be sure to visit the Castle of Good Hope, a bastion fort built in the 1600`s making it the oldest building in South Africa. There are military artifacts on display and history of the iconic castle, a café and a restaurant onsite and horse and carriage rides available.

Be sure to visit the vibrant neighborhood of Bo Kaap, nestled on the slopes of Signal Hill, the area has a rich history dating back to the 1700`s with cobblestoned streets lined with brightly colored houses. It is one of the most photographed sections in the entire city featuring restaurants, bars, museums and a shopping mall.

The Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA) features the largest collection of contemporary African art in the world in a state of the art museum in the waterfront`s Old Grain Silo which dates back to 1921, housing Jochen Zeitz`s art collection.

Chavonnes Battery was a coastal defense fortification on the Cape Peninsula in Cape Town built between 1714-1724 by the Dutch East India Company and named after the Governor then. The Museum here showcases the Archaeological Ruins of the fort which was previously buried for 140 years; visitors can see the excavated walls, canons and equipment along with 16 cannons.

Your Last Day in Cape Town

Depart from your hotel to the airport for your return flight home. We recommend that you purchase a private transfer to the airport if so the representative will meet you at your hotel with plenty of time to get you to the airport for your flight out.