ten days in cape town in december.
Discussion
If you look under South Africa, I asked this question last year in December and you 'll see the replies. Stayed at the Southern Sun Waterfront Hotel, closer to town but further from the Waterfront, say a 15 min walk to each. The walking was safe too. Do Table Mountain as part of the Red Bus Tour , hop on hop off. The cape itself is stunning, so blue and sunny. If I was hiring a car I'd book it from here with an Internationaly known company.
Cape Town and the Western Cape is a wonderful part of the world. I've been four times with the wife and had a great time each visit. Great places to go would be Table Mountain, which is impressive - you can parasend off Lions Head next door which is great fun. As far as places to go - try Camps Bay - particularly for a sun downer in the evening, Clifton Beach is lovely for a spot of sunbathing. For drives Chapmans Peak Drive is stunning and an absolute must! Try a few days in Franschhoek and the wonderful restaurants they have - The Tasting Room at Le Quartier Francais is great! Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope are ok for a few hours, Boulders Beach is another must do IMHO. Try some vineyards - they are really relaxed and informal affairs and not in the least stuffy. There are several in Constantia on the eastern side of Table Mountain. Contantia Uitsig is a good one as well as Klien Constantia. You could visit some vineyards whilst at Franschhoek and nearby Stellenbosch. We've also done a trip down the Garden Route and visited Hermanus - although most of the reason for visiting Hermanus is for the Whales which aren't usually there in December!
Oh and I forgot - Robben Island! Essential for a half day visit - tickets can be booked at the V&A waterfront (which is great too!) try Savruga Restaurant for great sushi!
If you're driving make sure you have a good map and plan your journeys ahead. They drive on the left but are a little more aggressive than drivers over here so keep an eye out.
That's a brief idea of some of my favourite places - have a great time!
Oh and I forgot - Robben Island! Essential for a half day visit - tickets can be booked at the V&A waterfront (which is great too!) try Savruga Restaurant for great sushi!
If you're driving make sure you have a good map and plan your journeys ahead. They drive on the left but are a little more aggressive than drivers over here so keep an eye out.
That's a brief idea of some of my favourite places - have a great time!
I grew up there and spent 38 years there and still go back annually for 4 weeks over December - pity that my apartment is rented out?
Car Hire - Rent a Cheapie
http://rentacheapie.co.za/
A Chico, btw, is a Mark I Golf body with new mechanicals...Very much like Mark 1 GTi's. They are still manufactured to this day and exceptional value.
If you are a golfer, take your clubs.
Besides what everyone else has told you, the drive to Hermanus (there will be no whales) is worth it for the day (1.5 hours each way), but take the Coastal road turning off the N2 (Motorway) and you will be driving along the most spectacular cliffside road towards Betty's Bay / Kleinmond. Great places in Hermanus for lunch...
Try and stay somewhere in Sea Point / Clifton / Bantry Bay / Camps Bay on the sea - rent an apartment from www.ownersdirect.co.uk which is much better value than an hotel. If you are going to stay at an hotel, the Radisson, which is walking distance from the V&A Waterfront is amazing, but just ensure that you have a sea facing room and you won't be disappointed. This side of the city is Windfree (except for Camps Bay).
The restaurants are exceptional value - The Ocean Basket in Sea Point is the best value seafood you will eat in your life...
Car Hire - Rent a Cheapie
http://rentacheapie.co.za/
A Chico, btw, is a Mark I Golf body with new mechanicals...Very much like Mark 1 GTi's. They are still manufactured to this day and exceptional value.
If you are a golfer, take your clubs.
Besides what everyone else has told you, the drive to Hermanus (there will be no whales) is worth it for the day (1.5 hours each way), but take the Coastal road turning off the N2 (Motorway) and you will be driving along the most spectacular cliffside road towards Betty's Bay / Kleinmond. Great places in Hermanus for lunch...
Try and stay somewhere in Sea Point / Clifton / Bantry Bay / Camps Bay on the sea - rent an apartment from www.ownersdirect.co.uk which is much better value than an hotel. If you are going to stay at an hotel, the Radisson, which is walking distance from the V&A Waterfront is amazing, but just ensure that you have a sea facing room and you won't be disappointed. This side of the city is Windfree (except for Camps Bay).
The restaurants are exceptional value - The Ocean Basket in Sea Point is the best value seafood you will eat in your life...
Kapenta said:
Besides what everyone else has told you, the drive to Hermanus (there will be no whales) is worth it for the day (1.5 hours each way), but take the Coastal road turning off the N2 (Motorway) and you will be driving along the most spectacular cliffside road towards Betty's Bay / Kleinmond. Great places in Hermanus for lunch...
Yes! I just got back on Sunday and this still stand out to me as THE road. Although I just spent all my time almost crying that I had to do it an a Chevrolet Cruze auto - thanks Avis....I stayed in Franschhoek for a lot of the time and the Franschhoek pass is also a very good road for driving with some pretty stunning views.
Moreson in Franschhoek is good for lunch at their bread and wine restaurant (bottle of Miss Molly is a winner too!) and if you like cheese go slightly further afield to Fairview in Paarl - the cheese boards in their restaurant are a perfect lunch (and the Chenin Blanc was only R48 (£3.70!) a bottle!
Eating in Franschhoek in the evening. I went to and enjoyed the following:
- Ryan's Kitchen - tasting menu and really contemporary stuff. Lovely jubbly (7 courses with wine £60 a head too!)
- French Connection - more bistro, but still top notch.
- Le Franschhoek hotel - tasting menu again with wine - slightly more rustic and natural ingredients - but very nice!
Places I'd avoid....
- Dutch East. Puts foods together that just don't work.
- Reubens - only thing I found in South Africa that was overpriced!!
- Le Quatier.... Ryan's kitchen is closer and better value with nicer food.
As for Cape Town, it's good....but you'll want to get out and about. We did 3 nights "in" Cape Town and that was plenty!
just got back. had an amazing time. thanks for all of the advice. loved cape town. amazing back drop with the clouds coming off table top. camps bay is stunning. loved the table top cable ride. the sl was brilliant. 1978 450 hired from classic wheels. the guy's name is gregor-german automotive engineer with a passion. the car was spot on. dropped in on him on the way back and he gave us a lift back to the airport in his daily smoker-1970 merc saloon. he waived the excess mileage charge and was a true gent and his car really impressed. i'll get some images uploaded when i get the chance.
thanks again.
thanks again.
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