Lightning has struck twice for Eve Ensler, world-famous playwright and activist responsible for 'The Vagina Monologues', who has experienced similar levels of success with her newest performance, 'Emotional Creature: The Secret Life of Girls Around The World'.

There is no such thing as a conventional performance for Ensler, who in this show uses rants, poetry, questions, and facts, to celebrate the authentic voice inside every girl, to empower women around the world, and to ignite activism.

But in order to celebrate and empower women, Eve believes you must share their stories, no matter how tragic or uncomfortable. And this performance does just that. Some of the main protagonists of the performance include a suburban teenager struggling with anorexia, a Masai girl from Kenya battling against the age-old tradition of female genital mutilation, an Iranian student tricked into a nose job, and a South African woman fighting to end rape culture. These stories and these women steal the show, and have left audiences from New York to London empathetic, empowered and emotional.

Staged by Obie Award-winning director Jo Bonney, with original music by Charl-Johan Lingenfelder, the bold voice of a new generation takes center stage with a cast of six outrageous and talented young actors.

Beginning 06 of August, Ensler’s compelling “Emotional Creature” will have a 10-day run in Cape Town at the Baxter Theatre. If you are in the Mother City during this time, do not miss this riveting performance!

Tickets for Emotional Creature can be purchased at the Baxter Theatre, and cost only R75 for an adult, R50 for students, and R25 with a UCT student card.

Nearing the completion of the Treetop Walkway at Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, horticulturists from near and far are anxiously awaiting the opportunity to see Cape Town’s ecological gem from a new perspective - above.

The 130-meter walkway snakes through the Kirstenbosch’s Arboretum, also known as the Enchanted Forest, providing an immersive experience in which one can see and hear life among the trees. Constructed from galvanized steel and timber, the walkway meanders 11 meters above ground, putting guests at eye-level with a plethora of forest-dwelling inhabitants. Due to its winding and twisting structure and its position above the trees, the walkway has been given the nickname ‘Boomslang’, which is a large, green snake native to South Africa.

In addition to wildlife spottings, the walkway will provide breathtaking views from the treetops of Table Mountain and the Cape Flats. “The walkway bursts through and above the canopy, giving you an impression of what it is like to be above the forest. At this point, the walkway provides spectacular 360 degree vistas comprising Cape Town and the surrounding majestic mountain slopes,” says Kirstenbosch botanical horticulturist Adam Harrower.

To build even more excitement, Adam Harrower has kindly shared his remarkable "in-progress" photographs of the walkway...

The walkway is scheduled to open to the public on march first and will be of no extra cost for visitors of the park.

The first Thursday of every month in Cape Town has gone not for the birds, but for the artists.

Simply deemed ‘First Thursdays’, the art-walk encourages Capetonians and passers-through alike to savor the crisp evening air of the Mother City while exploring and appreciating its ever-growing art scene. Consisting of anywhere from 15 to 20 permanent galleries and pop-up venues, the walk welcomes visitors to meander from venue to venue eating, drinking, shopping and enjoying the city’s creative culture.

During First Thursdays, participating galleries are open until 9pm as opposed to the usual 5pm and the contributing galleries and exhibitions rotate in order to keep the event fresh month after month. Many of the most relevant and current African artists have displayed their works during First Thursday including Dillon Marsh, Matthew Hindley and Sanell Aggenbach. Old and new, modern and classic, South African and international – there is something for everyone at First Thursday.

But do not think you have to be a studied art aficionado to attend, the buzz and energy of the crowd is alone enough to spark excitement in anyone. It is hoped that soon the art-walk will spill between the galleries’ walls and onto the streets, exuding a more festival-esque atmosphere with shops open after hours, gourmet food trucks and music in the streets.

Began in 2012, with a consort of only eight participating galleries, the event was the brainchild of Stellenbosch University graduate and culture-enthusiast Gareth Pearson. Beyond a love of art, Pearson wanted to attract the people of Cape Town onto the streets after dusk, something atypical in the city. His challenge was met with gusto by the people of Cape Town who eagerly flock to the art walk’s main strip, the creative hotbed that lies between Wale and Strand streets.

More than just a walk, Pearson is a firm believer that interacting on the streets and in a public space can lead to rich experiences and shared little moments that reveal all the things that we, as people, have in common.

So if you find yourself in Cape Town on a First Thursday, do not miss this chance to mingle with the locals and perhaps add a piece of South African art to your collection.

CLICK HERE for more information about First Thursday

CLICK HERE for more of ROAR AFRICA’s insider knowledge of Cape Town

Although the anticipation began long before, the excitement finally culminated on 25 November at the long-awaited reveal of Ellerman House’s Villa Two & Wine Gallery in Cape Town, South Africa.

Incomparable levels of design, decor and art wade throughout the villa to showcase some of South Africa’s most flourishing talents. Designed by up-and-coming architect Michael Dennett, Villa Two is the brainchild of collaboration between Dennett’s creative energy alongside artists Angus Taylor and Conrad Hicks, industrial designer Brian Steinhobel, and interior designers Trevyn & Julian McGowan.

The 2-story villa comprises three bedrooms, spacious entertainment area, a formal dining room, stand-alone kitchen, and infinity pool. Saturated in light, the villa overflows seamlessly outdoors onto private terraces with and on warm days, fold-away glass doors blur the boundaries between indoors and outdoors. Natural stone, airy textiles and nude wooden floors accentuate the astonishing panoramas seen from its floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the aptly named Clifton. Walking through its sun-drenched halls, one feels simultaneously calmed and overwhelmed by the villa’s ability to attain lightness and drama – to be organic yet completely unnatural.

The seemingly inaccessible level of contemporary style achieved by the villa is met with vigor by the wine gallery on its ground floor, which is home to Ellerman House’s award-winning collection of more than 7,500 bottles of South African wine. The concept behind the Wine Gallery was to deliver more than just a tasting room, rather an interactive wine experience that would reveal the history of South Africa through innovative, custom-designed artistic features and displays. Exemplary of Ellerman House’s ability to offer their guests an unparalleled level of unique experiences, the new wine gallery is an intimate experience only open to guests of the property.

Villa Two and the Wine Gallery effortlessly blend into Ellerman House’s overall atmosphere  - one of luxury, exclusivity, elegance, and a clear appreciation for beauty in one’s surroundings. To view more about Ellerman House's Villa Two & Wine Gallery, or to inquire about booking the space for your next visit to Cape Town, CLICK HERE.

One of the most rewarding parts of our job is hear from clients while they are currently on a trip with us. This came in to me yesterday and literally brought tears of joy...

Deb and Liesl, 
Wow where do I start? CT the beautiful city on the water, love it all! Tranquility on top of nature with the most friendly Capetonians in the middle. It seems as if all of CT is a stress free environment, it must be the constant sun, fresh air and the water everywhere. The history and political changes are remarkable and I am certain will continue to hopefully give more freedom to all here who truly deserve it. From the endless beaches to the fabulous Botanical Gardens, what a great display of nature in a city. Brian, he is quite a human being with a huge committment to the children in his program. He is brilliant with his endless knowledge , has a vast endless amount of information that has made a huge difference in all he has showed us and talked to us about. He is a true professional, serious at times but we have laughed our asses off along the way. He took us to his outreach program at the school today, during the kids noon break, where the kids had a half hour to ask us questions about New York and our feelings about CT. They were all so excited, so respectful and of course so curious about New York. From there we went to where they cook the food for the kids and where they make their sandwiches for school. What a humbling reality!! There were 6 little kids that we had so much fun with, and taking pictures with. I must admit I never knew much about Aparteid, and have had a rude awakening! It's amazing how a corrupt government could destroy so many people life's. It is apparent though that the Blacks, Whites and Coloreds are definitely moving forward together, or at least it appears that way. Brian doesn't know it yet but Roxine and I will be sponsoring one of his kids from his outreach program that he and Melanie are so committed to. When we went to the Kitchen today we brought 20 kilos of rice as a little gift that they were greatful to receive. We will bring home a photographic exposé as we have 2 great cameras and have been clicking away. It is hard to believe how much beauty and ugliness exist in Capetown. The township we saw today with 1,200,000 people living in sheer poverty will never leave my mind, but neither will the smiling eyes and faces of all the school kids we met today. Roxine and I look forward to getting together with you, Deb when we return home. Beautiful sights, beautiful weather and many wonderful people everywhere, what more could we ask for, for the start of this great journey. Our thanks to the Roar Africa Team!! Charles and Roxine, New York

The Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens nestled against the eastern slopes of Table Mountain are world renowned for the breathtaking views, diverse Cape flora and bird life. Toward the end of October an eager anticipation lurks in the air as the line-up of featured musicians to play at the Summer Sunset Concerts is released.

This coming season launching on Sunday November 25, 2012 through until April 7, 2013 brings with it music that transcends all ages and genres. The line-up of local and international musical talent is phenomenal this year. Bring your picnic, your family and friends and enjoy the open-air amphitheatre's atmosphere and music on the slopes of Table Mountain.

The season will open with UK-based star Daniel Bedingfield's pop wizardry and continue on Sundays with artists from classical to blues-rock, jazz, R&B, and folk.  Cape Philharmonic Orchestra, Mango Groove, Prime Circle, Yoav and Tailor, Arno Carstens, The Parlotones, Jimmy Dludlu, Freshly Ground, Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse, Johnny Clegg, the list goes on and on....

The Old Mutual Summer Sunset Concerts take place at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden on Sundays from 17h30 – 19h00.  Gates open at 16h00.

Go to http://dogreatthings.co.za/music/kirstenbosch/ or ask ROAR AFRICA for more information.

On any trip one takes one is bound to return with a little something….a memento to bring back the memories of those dreamy days away from the daily grind. Today I wasn’t on a trip…just a little jaunt in to meet Hanneli Rupert for coffee in New York.  I did however want to leave with a certain memento – her Okapi!  Not the antelope, her handbag.  She very generously gave me a gorgeous silk beaded scarf as a momentum from her African concept store “Merchants on Long” in downtown Cape Town. The Okapi will have to wait until next month when I return to Cape Town.

It never ceases to amaze me just how stylish our spectacular city is…from the restaurants, hip hotels, to the wonderful interior décor stores and artists that weave their African interpretation into music, fabric, sculpture and paintings. Hanneli draws inspiration for her designs from the mystical traditions of Africa. The ethos behind Okapi is to produce luxurious artisanal accessories, handcrafted entirely in Africa.  Okapi creates job opportunities and growth while striving for exceptional quality and an understated, timeless appeal. Okapi was named after the Central African antelope so exotic it was once believed to be mythical and has long been referred to as the “African unicorn”. The core Okapi line, launched in South Africa in early 2012, consists of three styles that express elegant minimalism with an original African edge.

If you don’t carry an Okapi on your return journey you might find one of Hanneli’s other creations to be the perfect African souvenir.

Sir Francis Drake (1540-1596) might be surprised about many things in 2011, but he would not be surprised to hear this: Cape Town was voted the number one destination in tripadvisor's Travellers' Choice Awards.

In 1579 Drake declared it ‘... the fairest cape and the most stately thing we saw in the whole circumference of the globe’. We agree. We're not surprised either.

Cape Town recipe:

• One part Rio de Janiero
• One part San Francisco
• One part Monaco
• A dash of Malaysia
• The essence of Africa

Leave to mature on the tip of Africa.

Now imagine your Central Park is a 3,000 ft mountain and the Napa wine lands are in the suburbs - welcome to Cape Town! Now come and visit.

Cape Town on our website here.

See the Travelers' Choice 2011 results here.

In September we linked to Virtual Africa's "highest definition picture of Cape Town ever" in our blog, here. Well, they've done it again. This time from a different angle - a rooftop in the city looking up towards Table Mountain. The best part about the new picture is the viewer. You will not believe it. Go to full screen view and then start zooming.

Below you'll see a screenshots. The picture is already zoomed into a section of the photo. I created the inset from a zoom into some people 3,000 feet up on the top of Table Mountain.

The image was created by stitching 1850,fully zoomed (x 20 optical zoom), 10 MegaPixel images together over a 3 hour period. It's 205,000 pixels wide which would be a printout of about 90 m x 15 m!

Here is a canon on the ramparts of the Cape Town Castle:

Zoom away at Virtual Africa here....

Listed in David Attenborough's world's most amazing animals is the Great White Pelican,Pelecanus onocrotalus, which biologist Marta de Ponte Machado has revealed has adapted it's behaviour to gobbling live Gannet chicks in South Africa.

Dwindling fish stocks off the coast of South Africa have forced pelican to look elsewhere for their food. Many have turned to eating offal found at farms in the Cape Town, while others have taken to eating other seabirds. The pelican's huge bill means it is able to swallow the chicks of gannets, tern, cormorants and even African penguins. The behavior has been filmed for the BBC Life series Life found here. (Those outside the U.K. can view a video clip on BBC here):

Quote:

"On the island of Malgas in South Africa, the pelicans attack any gannet chick that is left undefended by its parents and is small enough to swallow. As a result, entire gannet colonies are in danger of being destroyed. The predatory behaviour is captured for the BBC natural history series Life.

Cape gannets and pelicans are members of the same bird family. Cape gannets (Morus capensis) have a wingpsan of up to 1.8m when fully grown and can live for up to 25 years. The species breeds in just six places, of which one is Malgas island in South Africa. Due to people overfishing sardine and anchovies off the coast of Southern Africa, the population of gannets has dwindled.

...Once the pelicans cooperated to hunt freshwater fish, but a decline in fish stocks and habitat destruction is altering their food preferences. Each day, hoards of the pelicans fly across to Malgas and wander through the gannet colony."

Where to spot them

Birdwatching tours can be booked from Cape Town including trips to Dassen Island, where all the birds mentioned above can be seen.

Virtual Africa has compiled the biggest (Hi-definition) picture of Cape Town. I had some fun exploring Cape Town with it - Here's a three stage zoom from Signal Hill to The Cape Grace's Bascule Bar on the V&A Waterfront:

Construction Workers on the roof of the new stadium for the World Cup:Cable car going up (or down) Table Mountain:

Zoom away at Virtual Africa.

In Travel + Leisure's 14th annual poll, they once again asked their readers to rate the best hotels, cruises, airlines, outfitters, cities, islands, and more.

Cape Town came in at number 2 in the Top 10 cities overall. We think there's a mistake but #2 in the world is still pretty good. Udaipur (India) was number one.

Some of Roar Africa's preferred accommodations featured very well in the Top 100 Hotels Overall. 11 of the top 100 in the world, including number 1, are in South Africa and 5 are in Botswana:

#1 Bushmans Kloof, South Africa
#3 Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve (Earth Lodge), South Africa
#6 Singita Lodge, Sabi Sand, South Africa
#10 Jack's Camp, Kalahari, Botswana
#13 Eagle Island Camp, Okavango Delta, Botswana
#15 Twelve Apostles, Cape Town, South Africa
#24 Lion Sands Private Game Reserve, Sabi Sand, South Africa
#29 The Saxon, Johannesburg, South Africa
#29 Singita Reserve, Kruger Park, South Africa
#34 Londolozi Private reserve, Sabi Sand, South Africa
#44 Khwai River lodge, Okavango Delta, Botswana
#58 Cape Grace, Cape Town, South Africa
#60 Le Quartier Francais, Franschhoek Valley, South Africa
#69 Mombo and Little Mombo, Okavango Delta, Botswana
#75 Savuti Elephant Camp, Chobe National park, Botswana
#77 Mala Mala Game reserve, Sabi Sand, South Africa

For more on Travel + Leisure's website click here.

Bushman's Kloof, South Africa: #1

We're proud to announce that Southern Africa (and the Indian Ocean islands), the home of Roar Africa, has 11 entries currently competing for inclusion in the New7Wonders of Nature. Of those 11 the Kalahari Desert (Botswana/Namibia/South Africa) is the current front runner. We have two coming in at number 7: Sossusvlei (Namibia) and Table Mountain (Cape Town, South Africa). Not bad!

Wonder, Country, Current Rank
Kalahari Desert, BOTSWANA/NAMIBIA/S.AFRICA, 1
Sossusvlei, NAMIBIA, 7 (group A)
Table Mountain, SOUTH AFRICA, 7 (group C)
Mount Karthala, COMOROS, 11
Okawango Delta, BOTSWANA, 18
Victoria Falls, ZAMBIA/ ZIMBABWE, 25
Aldabra Atoll, SEYCHELLES, 26
Malolotja Nature Reserve, SWAZILAND, 29
Mount Nyangani, ZIMBABWE, 30
Avenue of the Baobabs, MADAGASCAR, 35
Maletsunyane Falls, LESOTHO, 57

And we can think of far more than 11 reasons to visit southern Africa!

The New 7 Wonders of Nature will be determined by votes from the public.
Vote here.

Why elect the New7Wonders of Nature?
The campaign to choose The Offcial New7Wonders of the World was a resounding success, in which more than 100 million votes were cast and which took democracy to a new, global level. The New7Wonders of Nature campaign will raise awareness of the incredible variety and beauty of nature around us. “If we want to save anything, we first need to truly appreciate it!” This is something that is very important - more awareness and more tourism income means that these natural treasures can be better preserved for future generations.

The New7Wonders Foundation, which is behind the New7Wonders campaigns, has the express aim of undertaking documentation and conservation works of monuments worldwide under the motto: "OUR HERITAGE IS OUR FUTURE". The Foundation was established in 2001 by the Swiss-born Canadian filmmaker, author and adventurer Bernard Weber to contribute to the protection of the world’s human-built and natural heritage and to foster respect for the cultural diversity on our planet. Fifty percent of net revenue raised by the New7Wonders Project is to be used to fund monument documentation and conservation efforts worldwide.

Do you like your life edgy? Do you long for the Trailer Park? Seriously! You can have both in luxury in the heart of Cape Town.

The Grand Daddy Hotel in Long Street

The Grand Daddy hotel in the heart of happening Long Street believes that "luxury shouldn’t exclude playfulness". We agree. The Grand Daddy is full of creative touches to ensure that guests are pleasantly surprised by the unexpected. The biggest and most talked about "surprise" is the Trailer park.

That's right! A fleet of 7 iconic two-sleeper vintage Airstream caravans sits on the roof with Table Mountain as a backdrop. They were each individually conceptualized and designed by local artists and make for possibly the most unusual and fun accomodation you can find anywhere.
It gets better. Your air-conditioned Airstream with hot and cold running water, flush toilet and shower, is enclosed by a tidy garden complete with US Postal Service mailboxes. Watch an outdoor movie on hot summer nights at The Pink Flamingo Cinema. If that's not enough there is the Daddy Cool bar and The Showroom Café restaurant before you even step out onto hip Long Street.

Interiors of two of the Airstreams by local artists.

Prices vary by season but the Airstreams are from about $120 per night. There are Hotel suites and the Sugar Daddy Suite but I think you should one-up your friends by telling them you're off to the Trailer Park in South Africa!

The Grand Daddy

We were fortunate enough to experience the sheer opulent luxury of this recently opened hotel earlier this month. The hotel is seven stories, has 91 rooms and 40 island suites making it the largest in Cape Town. The island suites which are available in one and two bed configurations are on the water edge around the pool and outdoor terrace.

The service from the valet parking to the porter and reception staff is efficient and welcoming.

The hotel does have an idyllic venue being situated in the V & A Waterfront – the tourist hub of Cape Town. This situation provided visitors with the buzz of the Waterfront and a number of renowned restaurants on their door step. The hotel itself offers two outstanding restaurants within its complex and you need to pre-book if you would like to experience outstanding food. They are Nobu for Japanese cuisine and Gordon Ramsay’s Maze which features South African seafood and game. The largest glass wine cellar I have ever seen boasts 6000 bottles of wine and forms the one wall of the Maze restaurant.

Views of Table Mountain from the hotel are captivating and on the other hand you can watch the sun rise over the harbour. There are two landscaped private islands which accommodate the island suites, swimming pool and the One & Only Spa. This area is secluded and provides an idea place to relax around the infinity-edge pool.

Furnishings of the lounge and bar area are cosmopolitan and very comfortable.

The rooms are contemporary, spacious and all boast glass door which open onto a private balcony. Furnishings are in the muted tones of Africa. The bathrooms have oversized baths, showers, a private toilet and dual basins.

For more on the One & Only with pictures see our previous post here.

I was fortunate enough to stay at The Constantia recently and it is a small hotel which I personally feel deserves all the credit it can get. The Constantia is located in Constantia suburb which is one of Cape Town’s oldest wine valleys and is situated a mere 20 minute drive from Cape Town city center.
The Constantia is located in well maintained tranquil gardens and boasts a relaxing, comfortable pool area where guests can relax. The lounge, bar and dinning room open directly on to the gardens and give guests an idea of always being outside and space.

It has eight magnificent suites which have contemporary furnishings. Nothing has been forgotten. The one we stayed in had a lounge area furnished with 2 cosy two seat couches and a large TV. The lounge opened onto a secluded patio where one could sit outside in private.

The bedroom boasted, as all do, a very large comfortable bed, adequate cupboard space, TV and all the necessary appliances. The bathroom was open plan to the rest of the suite and apart from the large bath had a large shower.


From the minute you arrive you are pampered by gracious willing staff. On arrival we were welcomed with drinks and while we relaxed in the lounge our luggage was taken to our room. Once our drinks were finished we ventured to our room where we were amazed to find that a bubble bath had been run for us and a bottle of wine was on ice next to the bath – what a way to start your visit to the Cape!

Once relaxed we went out for dinner and on our return we were welcomed once again with cocktails and an offer of coffee (even at 11:45 PM!) Our room had been turned down, rose petals spread and chocolates placed on the bed, bottles of water next to the bed – what a way to remove any stress!

Breakfast was served in the enclosed veranda area and they provided a full self service continental breakfast and the waitresses offered a cooked ‘English’ breakfast if you so wished.

An added bonus - as you leave in the morning to tour the Cape you are given bottles of water for the car.

The Constantia has thewonderful policy that drinks from the self service bar and anything taken from the room fridge are complimentary.

This is a hotel I can certainly recommend for those who would like to be able to relax in a tranquil environment, pampered by courteous staff and be out of the bustle of town – but yet again within easy access of all the tourist spots.


Written by Sue. Photos all from Last Word Hotels.

South African wines are stirring up a lot of excitement these days as more wine experts give rave reviews on their elegance, power, and value. Join us for an exclusive two-day private wine tour in the spectacular Western Cape conducted by Richard Hilton, Roar Africa’s wine expert. Richard has had nearly 20 years of experience in the wine world, learning the business from the ground up in France and in South Africa. He has picked grapes, trod grapes, worked in cellars and bottling lines, pruned vines and marketed wines. Today he has his own winery in Stellenbosch, producing a limited production of fine wines which he sells to top restaurants in Cape Town as well as exports to Europe and New Zealand. Fortunately for us this means he can show us behind the scenes and there is almost no question concerning wine that he cannot answer.

Day 1- Trail of the Vine: Get ready to follow the historical path of the vines themselves right from your hotel in Cape Town, the mother city. You’re first stop will be in Constantia, the oldest wine region in South Africa. There, you will visit Groot Constantia, founded by Governor van der Stel in 1685. The next stop will be Klein Constantia, producer of Vin de Constance, a favorite of Napoleon Bonaparte and Nelson Mandela, amongst others. Now following a 300+ year old grape trail you’ll head east towards Stellenbosch town and Vergenoegd (“satisfaction has been achieved”), owned by the Faure family for six generations.

Lunch at 96 Winery Road, a mecca for South African winemakers and producers, followed by a visit to the celebrated estate of Vergelegen ("remotely situated"), established in 1700. The night will be spent at luxurious Klein Genot Country Estate and Spa in Franschhoek, the French Quarter of the Cape. This five-star boutique lodge is nestled in the Franschhoek Valley.

Day 2- Stellenbosch: On the second day, we’ll wend our way over the Helshoogte Pass to Stellenbosch meaning "(van der) Stel's forest" after the founder Simon van der Stel (1679). We’ll will visit the beautifully designed Tokara Winery and Olive Grove, the Rustenberg Estate, and the Waterford Estate to be treated to a wine and chocolate pairing. Lunch will be at the Ouverture Restaurant at the Hidden Valley Winery. The architecture of this popular restaurant is inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright.

The last stop of the day will be the golfing/wine domain of Ernie Els Winery before heading back toward Franschhoek through the historic Boschendal Estate.

So you have just 72 hours in Cape Town and you're wondering what to do? May we suggest extending your stay? Whether or not that's an option have a look at this article just published in the Feb/March 2009 issue of Worth magazine. It is packed with insider tips. Roar Africa was proud to play a part in the creation of the piece and thankful to be mentioned.


The full article is reproduced here as well as a scanned original version. (click to enlarge).

*****

72 HOURS/CAPE TOWN
An Insider's Guide to Three Memorable Days

THE LATE NEW YORK TIMES reporter R.W Apple Jr., who may have been the paper's most widely traveled journalist, was infatuated with Cape Town. Its bounty, as he saw it, included "a seacoast that rivals Maine's and Big Sur's, a harbor that rivals Gibraltar's and Hong Kong's and Rio's, and what must surely be the most beautiful vineyards in the world." Layer onto those extraordinary foundations a city that has been transformed in recent years by a newly unleashed creativity and cosmopolitan flair.

Though there's beauty everywhere, there are also reminders of the country's brutal past (apartheid was only abolished in 1990). As the city gears up to host the World Cup in 2010, new hotels and stadiums are being built, but shantytowns remain. Cape Town is a study in contrasts. Come for the glamour and beauty but also to witness the complexities of modern Africa.

WHERE TO STAY
My top choice for couples is Ellerman House (180 Kloof Road, Bantry Bay; +27.21.430.3200; ellerman.co.za), a former private residence with fewer than a dozen rooms. Set on a cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the property includes a fabulous restaurant, spa and gardens. Best room: the contemporary Ellerman villa, with three bedrooms and a private chef. For families or those in a larger group, I recommend the historic Mount Nelson Hotel (76 Orange St.; +27.21.483.1000; mountnelson.co.za), run by Orient-Express Hotels, which has recently been renovated and sits at the foot of Table Mountain and close to the waterfront, Another reliable high-end choice is the harbor-facing Cape Grace (West Quay Rd., Victoria & Alfred Waterfront; +27. 21.410.7100; capegrace.com), which has a sleek, modern atmosphere and excellent service.

DAY 1

A great way to get your bearings is to hire a driver to show you around the peninsula. (Roar Africa provides wonderful guides and custom itineraries. 877.762.7237; roarafrica.com.) The center of Cape Town is nestled at the base of Table Mountain. To the north lies the popular commercial waterfront district, to the northeast are the legendary vineyards, and to the southwest are beachfront communities. As you wind your way down the Atlantic coast to Cape Point (Africa's southernmost tip), you'll pass lovely houses and possibly a troop of baboons crossing the road. The Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve (+27.21.782.9356), known locally as Cape Point, boasts hiking trails and incredible cliff-top views of the coast. Along with baboons, the reserve features hundreds of plant species and more than 250 species of birds, several species of antelope and the Cape Mountain zebra.

On your way back from Cape Point, have lunch at The Food Barn (Noordhoek Farm Village; +27.21.789,1390; thefoodbarn.co.za) in Noordhoek. One of Cape Town's most revered chefs, Franck Dangereux, opened this restaurant as a place for families to enjoy fantastic food in an unpretentious yet glorious setting. It's too far from Cape Town to come for dinner, but perfect for a road-trip lunch stop. Adventurous types can take a gallop along the beach at Noordhoek Beach Horse Rides, (+27. 82. 774.1191; horseriding. co.za). Be sure to stop at Cape Boulders Beach (False Bay Coast near Simonstown), home to the continent's only penguin colony.

Start your evening with sundowners, as cocktails are called, at the Cape Grace Hotel's Bascule Bar (+27.21.410.7238; capegrace.com) on the Marina. This elegant whiskey and cigar bar hosts great African jazz bands, and is particularly lively on Fridays. A little mellower, the Radisson Hotel (Beach Road, Granger Bay; +27.21.441. 3000; radisson.com/capetownza), has a spacious deck right on the ocean, providing unobstructed views of the sunset and cushy lounge chairs. Farther down the beachfront road is Wakame (Mouille Point; +27.21.433.2377), another fabulous option for cocktails or dinner, also right on the water. It has a trendy outdoor lounge, hip crowd and excellent sushi. For something really low-key, join the beach crowd at La Med (Glen Country Club, Victoria Rd.; +27.21.438.5600; lamed.co.za}, between Clifton and Camps Bay. Here, you can sip cocktails and watch paragliders jump off Signal Hill and land on the football field in front of you. Among the top restaurants to choose from: Ginja (121 Castle St.; +27.21.426.2368) and Haiku (comer if Burg and Church St.; +27.21.424.7000; bukhara.com/haiku). Both serve excellent fusion food. There is also Salt (Ambassador Hotel, 34 Victoria Road, Bantry Bay +27.21.439.7258), which boasts Cape Town's most dazzling restaurant location: it's perched above the sea and rocks of Bantry Bay.The emphasis is on fish, with Cape Malay influences in the curried sauces and relishes. Reserve in advance and request one of the window tables overlooking the bay.

• WHEN TO GO:The best time to visit is February and March. December and January are peak tourist season, but the hotels, restaurants and beaches are crowded, and the weather is not as reliably sunny as it will be a month or two later.
• GETTING AROUND:If you rent a car, make sure that you feel comfortable driving on the left side of the road. Also, to park downtown, you will have to pay uniformed parking attendants who patrol their particular beat with small handheld meters. When you return to your car, the attendant will deduct the appropriate amount-about $1 an hour.
• TIP: Restaurant kitchens generally close around 10 p.m., so don't plan on eating too late.

DAY 2

If the skies are blue and the southeaster wind is not blowing, take the cable car up Table Mountain. Grab some coffee and a muffin at Vida e Caffe (34 Kloof St.; +27.21.426.0627) for breakfast with an unforgettable view. Go early, as the cable car lines can be long. (Bring a sweater or jacket, as the summit can be chilly.) When you descend, pay a visit to the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens at the foot of the mountain (Rhodes Drive, Newlands; +27.21.799.8783; sanbi.org/framnes/kirstfram.htm), which comprise nearly 90 acres of gardens celebrating indigenous flora. Pathways wend around gardens, streams and rolling lawns. A huge variety of birds inhabit the gardens and the sweeping views from the upper slopes are spectacular.

Two fascinating ways to explore the country's history are the District Six Museum (25A Buitenleant St.; 27.21.466.7200; district six.co.za) and Robben Island +27.21.413.4200; robben-island.org.za). District Six bears testament to the apartheid government's brutal destruction of a mixed-race suburb in the 1960s, and Robben Island is where Nelson Mandela and other ANC members were imprisoned during apartheid. You can have lunch at the iconic Mount Nelson Hotel (76 Orange St.; +27.21.483.1000; mountnelson.co.za), near the District Six Museum, and then head to the waterfront to catch the ferry to Robben Island. The two-and-half-hour island tours, which are led by former inmates, are extremely popular, so be sure to reserve in advance.

A fabulous option at sunset is to walk through the Bo-Kaap area, where the Cape Malay people (of Indonesian origin) settled. At Marco's African Place (15 Rose Lane; +27.21.423.5412; marcosafricanplace.co.za), the food is as authentic as the live bands that spice things up. For a memorable dinner, reserve a table at Gold, the courtyard restaurant in the historic Martin Melck House (96 Strand St., De Waterkant; +27 .21.405.1540), home to the Gold of Africa Museum (goldofafrica.com).The world's first museum dedicated to the history of African gold is set in a strikingly restored landmark building that literally dazzles, as it is filled with gold. Gold features tastings from all over Africa along with regional dance shows.

DAY 3

A fun way to spend a morning and get a sense of Africa's incredible crafts and arts is to visit the new Neighbourgoods Market at the Old Biscuit Mill. (9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.; 373-75 Albert Rd.; +27.21.448.1438; neighbourgoodsmarket.co.za). It opened less than two years ago, and in that time it's become a weekly ritual for many Capetonians. Browse the farmers' stalls outside for oysters and artisanal cheeses before visiting the shops in the refurbished Old Biscuit Mill complex. Heartworks (98 Kloof St., Gardens; +27.21.424.8419; and Gardens Centre,Mill St.; +27.21.465.3289) has an irresistible collection of local ceramics and crafts. Next door, Whatiftheworld(208 Albert Rd., Woodstock; +27.21.448.1438; whatiftheworld.com), a collective of artists' galleries that opened last year, draws international art lovers with surprisingly inexpensive works.

If you don't have time to overnight in the world-renowned wine towns of Franschhoek (franschhoek.org.za), Stellenbosch (stellenboschtourism.co.za) and Paarl (paarlonline.com),you can get a sense of their beauty and bounty closer. One of my favorite vinyards is the beautiful 300-year-old Klein Constantia (+27.21.794.5188; kleinconstantia. com) just a I5-minute drive from the city. Legend has it that on his deathbed Napoleon refused everything offered to him but a glass of his favorite sweet Constantia wine. At a tasting you can experience its golden color and smooth, lingering flavors. You'll also learn about the history of Cape Dutch architecture.

The best spot for lunch in the area is Constantia Uitsig (Spaanschemat River Road, Constantia; +27.21.794.6500; constantia-uitsig.com), a working vineyard with two restaurants. The more casual Uitsig (+27.21.794.4480) serves Italian cuisine with flair; La Colombe (+27.21.794.2390; constantia-uitsig.com/pages/restaurants/la-colombe.php), a formal French restaurant, has been voted the best restaurant in South Africa for the past two years.

If you want to relax after lunch, there's a new Clarins spa (+27.21.794.0433) on the property, and thanks to the exchange rate, you can indulge in a spa treatment for a fraction of the cost you would pay in the U.S.

For those who would rather shop than spa, the easiest one-stop option is the V&A Waterfront (+27.21.408.7.600; waterfront.co.za). Yes, it's a mall, but it's safe and offers a range of options, including Carrol Boyes and Pa Kua Design, which carry lots of contemporary African crafts and housewares.

It sounds touristy, but a sunset cruise with the stunning backdrop of the harbor and Table Mountain provides a special farewell flourish. Boats depart daily from the waterfront, but you can also charter a private yacht and request a wine tasting or champagne and local specialties such as crayfish braai. When you dock, the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront will be buzzing with revelers, jazz musicians and sailors, who all converge at dusk to play. For a relaxed but refined dinner, reserve a table at 95 Keerom (95 Keerom St.; +27.21.422.0765; 95keeromstreet.lagazzettadelsudafrica.net). Set in an elegantly restored 17th-century townhouse close to the Houses of Parliament and the Supreme Court, the restaurant has its own fishing boat and serves delicious food with a focus on local ingredients.

*****

Note from Roar Africa:
Cape Point is not in fact Africa's southernmost point. The southernmost point is Cape Agulhas which is about 90 miles (150km) Southeast of Cape Point.

We're excited to introduce the One&Only luxury hotel group's latest addition: One&Only Cape Town, Opening April 3rd, 2009.

‘An urban chic waterfront resort with captivating views of Table Mountain and private spa island'

Situated in the heart of Cape Town’s picturesque Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, this contemporary urban resort embodies a chic island design and African flair. The crescent-shaped architecture of the seven-storey Marina Rise allows for splendid views of Table Mountain and Signal Hill from 91 spacious rooms and suites. Two lushly landscaped islands at the centre of the waterfront feature 40 Island Suites and the tranquil One&Only Spa.

Clean lines, dark African woods and contemporary artwork by local artisans accentuate the stylish, spacious accommodation – the largest in all of Cape Town. Each of the 91 rooms and suites within Marina Rise features expansive glass doors that lead onto private balconies which capture the drama of the magnificent mountain views. Click the photographs below for a closer look (photographs used with One&Only permission):

All rooms and suites are indulged by the discreet yet attentive services of a dedicated butler, 24-hours a day. The Presidential Suite looks spectacular:

The 1,200-square-meter One&Only Spa houses 11 Treatment Rooms and Two Vitality Pools, Sauna, Steam, Relaxation Areas, Full-service Salon, and Bastian Gonzales Mani:Pedi:Cure Studio. It also houses The City’s Most Comprehensive Spa Fitness Centre with State-of-the-art Equipment from Technogym® and Kinesis® Training Room, Free-formInfinity Edge Pool and a KidsOnly Club.

Dining is headlined by two world-renowned chefs: Gordon Ramsay for Maze and legendary Nobuyuki Matsuhisa for Nobu. The spectacular tri-level Wine Loft houses more than 5,000 bottles including popular and undiscovered South African vintages – the most magnificent collection of wines in the country.

Grand Opening Special: Stay for a minimum of 3 nights and up to 2 children stay for free! Enjoy 2 complimentary spa treatments and a bottle of Cape Estate Wine.

I'm looking forward to visiting One&Only Cape Town myself as soon as possible. In fact Geoff Calmeyer from Roar Africa will be making the first visit in the first week of opening. We'll report back.