Travel to Cape Town

Cape Town is a city located on the West Coast of Africa, near L`agullas that composes most of the Southern part of the continent. It is a beautiful place with a very nice climate with winter rainfall and very strong seasonal winds, knowing that it is a coastal city. Cape Town is also well known for its most miraculous Table Mountain and the laid back attitude, which became part of the Cape cultural heritage.

The History Of Cape Town
It was Bartolomeus Dias who led the Europeans to “The Cape of Good Hope” first. He called it the ‘Cabo Tormentosa’ meaning “The Cape of Storms”. A decade after that, Vasco de Gama arrived at the Cape. From then on, Eastern trade was monopolized by the Portuguese and the local ethnic group the Khoi–khoi became familiar with the Europeans. This planted the seed for the Capes cultural diversity. The Portuguese realized that as the Cape lies on the sea route from Europe and Asia, it could be used as a halfway station for ships to take in fresh water and food. So in 1652, Jan van Riebeek established a permanent settlement there, which facilitated trade to the East. Slaves where imported to work on fields to grow crops that was needed for food for the passing ships. These imported slaves also contributed to the cultural heritage of the Cape.

Tourism
The Cape has a good variety of ethnic music, along with African dancers, which can be witnessed at the St George’s Mall. There one can find good traditional African music performed with instruments such as bongo drums, xylophones and flutes. On the first day of January the streets of Cape Town will be filled with rich cultural activity of the “Kaapse Klopse” or Coon Carnival. This annual parade consists of 20,000 people who will dance and sing, performing traditional tunes to start the New Year on a positive note. This time of the year is famous for the singing of the Cape’s Malay choirs and many church choirs, which forms a distinct part of the music and cultural heritage of Cape Town.

If you are touring to this beautiful city you will find it easy to get around with the attractive Cape Town car rental deals available.

Architecture And Robben Island
Cape Town has a combination of British, Dutch & African styles of houses. The older houses of the Dutch era represent the ancient culture of the city. The poor black people who can not afford nicely built houses, build their own houses in unique indigenous ways, using whatever things available. This style is called “shack chic”. The tourists can visit nearby Robben Island by boat. The erstwhile white racist rulers used to keep political prisoners on this island during the freedom struggle of black African people. The first black president of South Africa- Nelson Mandela was imprisoned on the island for 27 years. Many other political leaders fighting against racism of earlier South African regime were kept prisoners on this island. Now the government of South Africa has turned the island into a museum, showing the history of struggle against apartheid.

The Castle Of Good Hope And Table Mountain
A popular tourist attraction in Cape Town is the Castle of Good Hope. It is located in the center of Cape Town. As South Africa's oldest remaining stone building, it is not only a tourist attraction but serves as the headquarters for the Western Cape military. Tourists will find a wonderful museum and great food as well then visiting the castle. The thing that Cape Town’s probably most known for is its flat mountain called “Table Mountain”. There you will find an exciting cable car service that will take you to the top of the mountain where you can then enjoy a meal at the popular restaurant at the top while experiencing the breathtaking view of the whole Cape Town.

Cape town is a city with lot of tourist attractions. Getting a cheap flight into Cape Town is just as easy getting the attractive rates on their car rental deals.The city is also known for its variety of lodges, hotels, bed and breakfast houses, and back packers. The city will suit any type of tourist as it supports different type of people, food, and music and of course variety architecture.