A Cheap Destination: Things to Do in Cape Town, South Africa

In BBC polls Cape Town is repeatedly listed in the top 10 of places one has to visit before one dies. Having lived there, I could not agree more. Cape Town not only has spectacular natural beauty, but it is also an extremely affordable vacation. When you visit make sure though that you stay at least two weeks. Also make sure that you visit Cape Town during February or March as this is the best time weather wise. For those of you living in the USA, Cape Town is South Africa's San Francisco. It is windy most of the time, except for these two months. It also rains in winter, so June and July is probably not the best time to visit.

The obvious first stop would be Table Mountain. This mountain presides over the mountain and the bowl which forms part of the Cape of Good Hope, also known as the Cape of Storms. It is a beautiful backdrop to a very cosmopolitan city. During the summer months the mountain is lit up at night. The sun sets at about 8:30 to 9pm daily and being on top of the mountain then is a breathtaking experience. You can take the aerial cable way from 8:30 in the morning to 6 pm daily. The lower station is high enough to take in the sunset that settles in the ocean in a ball of fire. In South African currency it will cost you R 130 ( $ 17 at an exchange rate of R7.50 for each dollar) for an adult return, R68 ($9) return for children. There is a restaurant on top of the mountain that will be opening again in August of 2008. There are several hiking trails, from easy to difficult, that you could choose to get to the top of the mountain.

One of the hiking trails start in another treasure of Cape Town, the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. It is world renowned for its beauty and nestles on the eastern slopes of the mountain. It only features indigenous flora and specifically fynbos, that is exclusively found in the Western Cape in South Africa. It also has a coffee shop and several restaurants and has many beautiful paths one can walk. On Sundays in summer from December to March Kirstenbosch hosts several music concerts to coincide with the magnificent sunsets. It is a must see for any visitor.