Western Cape

Warmed by the African sun and set on a peninsula of soaring rocky heights and lush valleys, Cape Town is justifiably considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Its majestic icon, Table Mountain, casts its shadows on a cosmopolitan melting pot where old and new harmoniously converge – in history, culture and architecture.

Between high rise office blocks and meticulously restored Edwardian and Victorian buildings, the inner city buzzes with the activity of trendy loft conversions while the quaint cobble stoned streets of the nearby Islamic hub of Bo-Kaap, echo with the call of the Muezzin.

Just around the corner, Cape Town’s upmarket suburbs perch on steep slopes and beckon the rich and famous with their dazzling views and exquisite sunsets. It is here that a uniquely Cape architectural vernacular of strong geometry, steel and glass has developed, taking full advantage of the clear blue light that makes Cape Town sought after by film producers from across the globe. This Riviera of the Cape boasts some of the most valuable and sought after real estate in the country, and is packed with bronzed bodies sunning themselves on palm-fringed beaches and socialising in the many beachfront bistros and cocktail bars.

A little further afield, gracious Cape Dutch homesteads and elegant wine and fruit estates nestle in acres of lush greenery offering the chance to breathe in the air of the tranquil surrounds of some of the most beautiful wine valleys in the world. Tasteful, award-winning gourmet restaurants, stocked to the brim with regional wines, rub shoulders with secure golfing estates where a peaceful country lifestyle is paramount.

Outside of the metropolitan boundaries of the Mother City, the many villages dotted along the Cape coastlines offer a “holiday every day” experience with a slower pace, bracing sea air, coastal walks and whale watching vantage points. Quaint fisherman’s cottages on the desolate, but hauntingly beautiful West Coast, offer local colour equal to the carpets of vibrant daisies that burst into life each spring.

Cape Town and its surrounding areas is a popular tourist and investment destination, blessed with everything that pleases the senses. However, it is more than just physical beauty that attracts people to its shores – Cape Town has soul.

The Western Cape is fast becoming one of the most popular destinations in the world. With a moderate climate, seldom dropping below seven degrees Celsius in winter and reaching up into the pleasantly hot mid-30s in summer, Cape Town attracts an all-year-round stream of tourists.

With long stretches of white beach and palm trees rounding the Cape peninsula, a plethora of trendy night spots, top hotels and restaurants have followed suit and dot themselves along the coast, spilling out on to pavements in summer, offering some of the best local seafood as well as international cuisine, on the continent.

Cape Town is renowned for attracting the ‘beautiful people’ set, from international super stars to local fashionistas, who help to keep the local modeling industry afloat as well as fuelling the international filming industry, who descend on the Cape every Summer.

Because of the climate, geography and surrounding ocean, there are an endless amount of sporting activities for locals and tourists to indulge in. Cape Town’s world famous mountains, Table Mountain and Lion’s Head, provide for hiking, forest walks, rock climbing and parachuting, catering for everyone from novice to veteran.

Although the waters surrounding the Cape are some of the coldest in South Africa they are great for water sports including, rubber ducking, kayaking, jet skiing and surfing – wind, kite or board. The area known as Blouberg is known internationally as one of the best kite surfing locations.

Apart from sporting activities, the Western Cape has some of the most beautiful “Blue Flag” classified beaches in the world to which both locals and foreigners flock to sun themselves in summer.

For those with less of an outdoorsy bent, there are numerous shopping malls of a world class standard. One can indulge in the arts, culture and heritage of this creative and historic city; be it theatre, art exhibitions, live music or one of the many museums in the city centre, boasting a rich history dating back to the Hugenots who settled here during the 17th Century.

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