Home & Away with Robert Walshe
Destination Hotspot Queen Victoria Capetown South Africa Cool, cosmopolitan and framed by Table Mountain, Cape Town offers a cultured city break in the heart of South Africa. The splendid “Queen Victoria” hotel presides over the V&A Waterfront. This 35-room boutique hotel was inspired by the romance of Queen Victoria’s passionate early years with Prince Albert. The style is anything but 19th-century though with spacious rooms, marble bathrooms and a soaring lobby decked
Table Mountain Capetown at Sunset.
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out in whites and creams and warmed up with royal purples and opulent fabrics. Guest rooms are decorated in a soothing palette of silver, gray, and taupe. Porcelain-tiled bathrooms have restored antique vanities and original artwork. All accommodation options also feature a fully stocked minibar, Wi-Fi, flat screen TVs and very comfortable beds bedecked with rich Egyptian cotton sheets. There are three types of suites catering to the different needs and requirements of guests: Executive suite, Mountain Junior suite and then there is the proverbial jewel in the crown of the Queen Victoria – the presidential
Queen Victoria Hotel Capetown Lobby.
suite, including a wrap-around balcony with views overlooking Table Mountain and the harbour, as well as a dining room. With its prime location within the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront a host of world-class restaurants, cinemas, craft markets, Nobel Peace Square, Two Oceans Aquarium and Platinum Mile Shopping are all within walking distance. The port’s Jetty 2 is also within walking distance, which makes Queen Victoria Hotel easily accessible for passengers on board luxury cruise liners. Cape Town city centre is a short shuttle ride away and access to Table Mountain and Camps Bay beaches from here is also quick and easy. With an incredible attention to detail and staff unwavering in their dedication to guests, The Queen Victoria delights with captivating modern design and contemporary style. www.newmarkhotels.com. From the summit of “Table Mountain”, admire sweeping views of the city before you embark on your exploratory drive of significant city sites. Once there, take in stunning vistas over both coastlines, the Cape of Good Hope and out to Robben Island. There’s a wide variety of activities on offer in the Mother City, from the gentler pursuits of wine
tasting or the beaches at Clifton to the more adventurous shark cage diving and rock climbing. If you have time, exploring the magic of Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens is a must. Kirstenbosch grows only indigenous South African plants. “PG Tops” a private tour company with a focus on personal experiences offer many options. www.pgtops.com Cape Town is also known as the culinary capital of South Africa. It offers a wide variety of restaurants which serve delicious Cape cuisine in an elegant setting. A table at The Test Kitchen may take several months to score, but it’s more than worth the wait. Chef and restaurateur Luke DaleRoberts opened his Cape Town eatery The Test Kitchen in 2010 and in the years since it has become one of the most
difficult tables to snag in Cape Town. And thanks to the vast vineyards around the city, there is always a splendid selection of wines on the menu. www.thetestkitchen.co.za My preferred car rental company on this trip was Hertz & pick up is available in downtown Capetown or at the International airport. Hertz consumer discounts with full details are available at www.hertz.ie Turkish airlines fly daily from Dublin to Capetown via Istanbul. Their business class service is by far the most impressive of the Middle Eastern carriers departing Ireland. In fact all business class meals are served in porcelain dishes on flights. For great fares visit www. turkishairlines.com Robert Walshe is a travel broadcaster with Q Radio & Travel Editor for numerous print and online publications on the island of Ireland. www.robertwalshe.com