"6 months in Capetown,South Africa" Cape Town by thinking

Cape Town Travel Guide: 2,634 reviews and 6,071 photos

GRAPES SOUTH AFRICAN VINEYARDS - Cape Town
GRAPES SOUTH AFRICAN VINEYARDS
EXCELLENT FOOD AND WINE

Overview
If Cape Town were a cocktail, it would be equal parts San Francisco and Los Angeles, with a splash of Zulu culture and a dose of bitters. The city is a happy collision of many things: The Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet here, as well as vineyards, beaches and all types of Mediterranean cuisine, all cradled by Table Mountain. It is also the second-biggest city in South Africa for business, right behind Johannesburg, but infinitely better looking and more relaxed.

Victoria & Alfred Waterfront with Table Mountain behind

It would be far too easy to visit Africa's southern-most city solely for its white sandy beaches and turquoise, although frigid, waters. (For the warmest water, avoid the Atlantic Ocean and go to the Indian side.) Head to Clifton Beach No. 3 where the beautiful Capetonians hang out, or Camps Bay for a slightly less scene-y beach. But when the sun goes down, there's much more to Cape Town than just the sea and surf.

But scratch below the surface of beauty and the scars from apartheid still remain. Economic inequality between races is still a sore point. If you really want to know how about this subject I can recommend Sampie Terreblanche's book, "A History of Inequality in South Africa, 1652-2002."

The center of the city is still largely white, and the black majority lives in the poorer outskirts. Even though crime is not as bad as in Johannesburg, tourists should keep their wits about them--especially at night. In fact don't go out at night unless you are in a car or call a reputable taxi service.

Ten minutes to the beachWhile the British and Dutch may have colonized South Africa, thankfully their influence did not make it to the food. South African cuisine is superb, with Portuguese, Malay and Mediterranean influences, and is definitely not for vegetarians or the faint of heart. Every type of carnivorous delight is available, and the redder the better. Be sure to try some exotic ostrich, buffalo and springbok as well as the ubiquitous and more mundane beef fillets. The seafood and sushi is also not to be missed. (Kingklip, a mild white fish, is the local favorite.) Plus, with the South African rand currently in a freefall (11 to the dollar at press time), prices are so low it will leave you feeling deliriously giddy and hard-pressed to spend more than $40 for a five-star meal for two. Cape Town also offers plenty of shopping, from inexpensive African jewelry and tableware to its famous platinum and diamonds.

Although I am a judge at the New York Fancy Food Show, I had no expectations of food or wine in Capetown. I was also trained to cook at Cordon Bleu, and still knew nothing about the potential of eating good food or drinking good wine in the Cape.

The food and fine are superior here to anything I have eaten in Manhattan, or most of the world. Everyone knows how to cook well, and you can eat out here and have very fine meals. Having euros, dollars or swiss francs will mean you get great value for your money.

The wine is very good, and life here is indeed superior to the harshness and medicore food generally available in Manhattan. If you live in North American or Europe, you will be very pleased with the high quality and low, low prices of eating out in Capetown.

Check out http://www.africam.com/public/index.jsp
as this is a webcam of the game parks in Africa.

VINEYARDS OUTSIDE OF CAPETOWN
Vineyards outside of Capetown - Cape Town

Vineyards outside of Capetown

I have only been in Capetown since 01/17/03. But I am learning my way around quidkly.

I have rented a townhouse in the Tamboeurskloof area of Capetown, and it is possible to walk nearly everywhere for your daily needs, as there are many stores and shopes nearby, as well as pilates, a gym, dance classes and lots of hiills to run up and down.
The beach is a 5 minute drive, and like New York, I take a taxi, as I have no experience driving on the left hand side of the road.
South Africa offers so much and it is a good destination this winter as I am lookingfor places away from the war zones.

It offers everything from safaris to top flight medical doctors, good food and wine, and the best and most interesting adventurre seekers on the planet.

No private picnics in the vineyards?
No private picnics? - Cape Town

No private picnics?

<Yf¼4?re not out in the jungle here, contrary to what many of my friends have to say about my going to Africa.

They have modern facilities, and many places for private gatherings, although a vineyard could frown on private picinics on their property.

Pros and Cons
  • Pros:Inexpensive compared to USA/Europe, Personal services at low prices
  • Cons:No public transportation. major unemployment & of course, the financial crisis
  • In a nutshell:A wonderful destination to reflect, recharge and pamper yourself!
  • Last visit to Cape Town: Jun 2003
  • Intro Updated May 18, 2009
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Reviews (33)

Where do you want to fly? - Cape Town AIR FARE BARGARINS IN SOUTH AFRICA Transportation (2)

Check out www.kulula.com a no-frills airlines to Jo'burg from Cape Town. Also watch SAA's website for two ranges of... more travel advice

Natalie Phillips - Cape Town South Africa Home Exchange Hotels (3)

Home exchange is ideal and it is well worth contacting Jill Blackman who heads the agency in Capetown, South Africa. So... more travel advice

Kite surfing - Cape Town Beauty Treatments Much less Costly Here Favorites (3)

it is a place to rest and recharge. It provides good food and wine, and plenty of low cost personal services. Using my... more travel advice

Colors of Defiance - Cape Town Bo Kaap Things to Do (6)

Tours to the Bo Kaap area are very good with Grass Roots Tours. more travel advice

Comments (54)

  • Reply
    hunterV's Profile Photo
    Nov 14, 2008 at 6:04 AM

    Elizabeth, Thanks for your valuable tips! Interesting destination, but.... too far away...

  • Reply
    ronaldpk's Profile Photo
    Mar 17, 2008 at 2:04 AM

    What a racist comment! It shows your true face. I hope that one day this wonderful world will be devoid of people like you! "Thoughtless" wrote: "It is an all black area, and although I did not stay there, I did conduct a site inspection"

  • Reply
    deecat's Profile Photo
    Dec 11, 2007 at 10:20 AM

    What a fantastic introduction! To stay in one place for so long makes your tips seem like "insider" tips, indeed.

  • Reply
    longsanborn's Profile Photo
    Apr 19, 2007 at 2:08 AM

    Hi, I plan to go to Cape Town mid-June. Your tips abt the transport is great. I need to read more though! Helena

  • Reply
    Feb 27, 2007 at 3:37 PM

    South Africa is great. This stupid, retarted women is a loser and c*nt for her comments. people like you should be banned from ever commenting on our beautiful country and enjoying it beauty and weather.... piece of filth and slag!!!

  • Reply
    canuck68's Profile Photo
    Jun 4, 2006 at 6:23 PM

    Thank you for visiting my Home Page. I enjoyed your Home Page and also your Cape Town pages. I look forward to seeing much more of your travels. Diane

  • Reply
    budapest8's Profile Photo
    May 11, 2006 at 10:13 PM

    Such beautiful pictures and good tips! Look forward to some updates and new pages...Are you living in Paris now or still in the US?..Tim

  • Reply
    mexicruiser's Profile Photo
    Apr 22, 2006 at 7:44 AM

    Hi Elizabeth, I love your Cape Town page...it made me homesick for the old Mother City! Are you in Paris yet? Another one of my favorite cities! Take care, regards from Ventura...Anne

  • Reply
    blue_sky04's Profile Photo
    Feb 20, 2006 at 4:03 PM

    You have beautiful photos of Cape Town! I enjoy reading through your travel tips. Thanks for sharing.

  • Reply
    kenHuocj's Profile Photo
    Feb 16, 2006 at 8:22 PM

    Blast, should have visited CT for WIne and the fine seafoods ;-))) thanks for note , will reply asap

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