Explore boundless Cape Town

Cape Town and its surrounding winelands, beaches, mountains and nature have something for everyone. According to the Tourism Sentiment Index, four spots in the Western Cape made it into the 100 most loved destinations around the world in 2021, including the Mother City itself.

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BOUNDLESS CAPE TOWN

The region has an abundance of things to do. Marine lovers are spoilt for choice, with options like snorkelling in the kelp forests or taking a water-bike ride across the sheltered waters of False Bay. (For the uninitiated, a waterbike glides silently over the water while you ‘cycle’. It’s a novel way to enjoy the vast scenery and encounter dolphins, Cape fur seals and the famous African penguin colony that nests at Boulders Beach. There’s also the chance to witness whales surfacing during whale season.) And if something more adrenaline-inducing is needed, cage diving with great white sharks in Gansbaai is also an option. Or windsurfing, kitesurfing, surfing, deep sea fishing, scuba diving… the list goes on.

Those who would prefer to go up and away have plenty to do, too – from helicopter flips over City Bowl or hot air ballooning above the picturesque winelands. An especially exhilarating way to take in the views is to paraglide off Lion’s Head or Signal Hill. Tandem paragliding means that no experience is required, while a GoPro can catch all the action to relive again later.

Drink it in For something more sedate, visitors can enjoy cocktails paired with stunning views. There are countless scenic options – such as on Table Mountain, a chartered yacht, or at the Ocular Lounge & Events Space. The latter is perfect for art lovers. Set in the Zeitz MOCAA (Museum of Contemporary Art Africa) at the V&A Waterfront, guests can admire the Ocular Lounge’s sweeping 270-degree view of Cape Town after admiring the museum’s artworks. With over 100 galleries and multiple multifunctional event spaces, it’s the perfect canvas for special events.

Cape Town is also a foodie’s delight, with its many fine dining options, award-winning wines and artisanal delicacies. This makes it the perfect location for gastronomy tours and experiences. Incentive groups can be wined and dined at the top 20 celebrity chef restaurants or make their own meal with an authentic Cape Malay cooking class. The latter can be combined with a cultural tour of the colourful Bo-Kaap quarter, tailor-made for the tour group by a local.

Naturally, there are a plethora of food and wine pairings to indulge in, where top wines can be savoured with palate pleasers such as chocolate, cheese, ice cream, tapas, or even a sensory pairing with fynbos! Some of the magnificent wine estates around Franschhoek also offer interesting experiences other than ‘the usual’ wine and cheese pairings, such as the ongoing art exhibitions at La Motte Wine Estate. These are curated by Elzette de Beer and display works by famous and upcoming South African artists, from Pierneefs to tapestries, sculptures and everything in-between. The Franschhoek Motor Museum on L’Ormarins Wine Estate has a classic motor museum that showcases over 100 years of automotive history and hosts an impressive collection of more than 220 vehicles. Meanwhile, Babylonstoren is an undiscovered gem of Cape history and modern wine and gastronomic features, with its gardens almost rivalling Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens’ range of plants. History tours are available, led by knowledgeable botanists.

There’s a huge range of accommodation options in the Cape and its surrounding winelands, from five-star luxury hotels to boutique lodges with exclusive beach access, private fully equipped apartments and more.

Cape Town International Airport has been adding direct flights from key source markets overseas, making it more accessible – and therefore even more appealing.