Great Daytrips From Cape Town – South Africa By Andy Burrows At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

An urbane city that merges both old and new aspects, Cape Town’s uniqueness is obvious among the city’s people, culture, architecture and history. A large table-shaped mountain in the background serves as a constant reminder that the city has lots to offer. Set on a peninsula between the Indian and Atlantic oceans, Cape Town has a variety of great daytrips to offer.

Daytrips from Cape Town are a necessity. There are various things to do in and around the city such as surfing and scuba diving, to whale watching and sightseeing. The beaches of Cape Town are considered among some of the most beautiful in the world. With a mountain backdrop and a gorgeous sea infront, the beach stretches from False Bay to the Atlantic coast and is perfect for sun fanatics and water sports enthusiasts.

Only several minutes from the city centre are Camps and Clifton Bay, locations just right for sunbathing and swimming. Though there are lots of surf spots in the area, there are also great areas for scuba diving, boardsailing and fishing. If the cool water from the Atlantic Ocean is too much for you, head to False Bay, which has noticeably warmer waters at Simonstown, Mulzenberg or Kalk Bay. Sandy Bay nature reserve acts as an unofficial nudist beach. With the exception of Boulders Beach in False Bay, all of Cape Town’s beaches offer free entrance.

Cape Town offers a large choice of daytrip attractions. Though it is best to do daytrips by hire car, it is not critical to have one. For areas surrounding Cape Town, hire cars provide easy transport and allow for personal time. A beautiful scenic drive through mountain ranges, vineyards and Dutch homesteads leads you to the Cape Winelands. Farther along is the historic town of Stellenbosch, which is worth a visit if you enjoy wine tasting, or would like to join in the wine cellar tour. Next stop by Paarl to enjoy the Fairview wine estate for cheese and wine tasting.

There are Seal Island boat trips available along the Atlantic seaboard and Hout Bay throughout different seasons in the year. The coastal drive through Constantia Nek and Ouu Kaapse Weg to Cape Point where the two oceans meet is quite spectacular. The Good Hope Nature Reserve is situated close by and has a good selection of plants, birds and animals. Make a quick stop at Simonstown and the big penguin colony at Boulders Beach. The last stop for the day should be the famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, where one can unwind.

Seasonal events in Cape Town are: whale watching and indigenous flowers in bloom. From June until November, whale watching is offered and should definitely be on your list of things to see. The whales make their annual journey from the Antarctic to the Cape and Hermanus coasts. In Walker Bay, they come up to around 50 metres from the shore. On your trip, visit the Harbour Museum in Hermanus, too. Take the scenic ‘Riviera of the Cape’ coast drive back through Gordon’s Bay.

If you’re fortunate enough to visit Cape Town between September and October, travel 2 hours away from the city to enjoy the amazing transition between desert and flowers. During these months, beautiful indigenous flowers cover the ground.

The most spectacular trip is getting up close to Table Mountain on a rotating cableway. Table Mountain is the most recognised landmark of Cape Town and is a World Heritage site. Its tip is at 1,086 metres above sea level and can be enjoyed by cable car. Visitors can enjoy the stunning 360-degree view of Cape Town while enjoying refreshments at the restaurant. The mountain is abundant with wild flowers and is home to the famous silver tree. Table Mountain is a paradise for hikers, especially with the walking trails of different difficulty.

Robben Island is possibly the most important historical site in South Africa and is worth a day visit. It was first used by Dutch East India Company as a refreshment stop, and later became a leper colony and asylum. The army then gained control of the island. In 1960, the Department of Correctional Services took charge of it and it became a famous prison for those considered dangerous to the government. Nelson Mandela was its most famous occupant, a former president who was incarcerated here for over 20 years. Guided tours of the prison and museum are offered to a certain number of visitors daily.

Cape Town’s beautiful beaches, stunning scenery and fun activities make it a desirable vacation spot. The unique blend of old and new adds to the charm of this intriguing destination. Whether you’re into chilling out, participating in sports or sightseeing, Cape Town has a little something for everyone.

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