Special Feature
Cape Town, the melting pot at the foot of the mountain
► Cape Town is also known as South Africa’s ‘Mother City’, having welcomed the first Dutch colonists in 1852! A historical city, Cape Town is also a city of natural beauty, bordered by sublime beaches, and surrounded by hundreds of hectares of vineyards. Renowned for its relaxed sea town atmosphere, its jazz culture but also for its sense of well-being thanks to luxury spas, it is appreciated as much by locals as those who are passing through. This city, distinct from South Africa, is considered to be a fashion and food capital. A world in itself!
► How to get to Cape Town?
All the information needed to get to Cape Town with KLM is available at the bottom of this page.
Must-See
The Townships, found in the suburbs of Cape Town, collectively called Cape Flats. This trip, notably organised by African Blue Tour, plunges us into authentic South African culture, a blend of races and a pulsating atmosphere. The tour generally begins at Langa, one of the oldest black districts of South Africa, founded in 1901, before Gugulethu (‘our pride’). The district welcomed migrant workers from Transkei and Nyanga (‘Moon’), a suburb located near the airport which was the source of resistance against the ‘Pass Laws’* in the 60s. It is currently undergoing total modernisation with the transformation of old homes into residential housing. For more information about this district, click on www.capeflats.org.za
* Pass laws: Passports stipulating whether black people had the governmental authorisation to travel through certain districts.
Discover
Robben Island, the Island where Nelson Mandela was held prisoner alongside his companions during the dark years of apartheid. The island is classified as world heritage by Unesco and former prisoners give guided tours of the prison. It is accessible by ferry from Cape Town’s Victoria & Albert Waterfront.
Visit
District Six Museum, opened in 1994, commemorates the history behind Cape Town’s townships. It holds a vast collection of objects and photographs that retell the story behind the communities of emancipated slaves, shop keepers, craftsmen and workmen, of those living in District Six before being displaced by apartheid to the other side of the city (in application of the Group Areas Act)
Climb
Table Mountain, for one of the most beautiful South African panoramas. A cable car provides access to the summit. Hikers can have a guided tour of the mountain’s many discovery trails.
Admire
Drive from Cape Town to the forest of Tsitsikama: 600 km along the oceanfront, a journey baptised the Garden Route. Travel through village vineyards and farms in small towns, whilst keeping the ocean in view at all times. Refresh yourself at beaches, scattered amongst all of these marvels.
► How to get to Cape Town?
KLM offers 1 daily flight (KL 0597), in a B777, departing from Amsterdam-Schiphol at 10.25am, with arrival at Cape Town at 11pm.
The return journey is with flight KL 0598, departing from Cape Town at 12.50am and arrival at 11.40am at Amsterdam-Schiphol.
Good addresses
To discover
Sleep at Cape Grace, decorated with a number
of awards from Condé Nast Traveller for the
quality of its service, it features sea view
bedrooms (it is located at the Victoria & Albert
Waterfront), its haute cuisine, as well as the
Bascule Bar, which offers the most extensive
collection of whisky in the Southern
hemisphere: 420 types of simple or double malt
whisky available! www.capegrace.com
Stroll around City Ball, Cape Town’s city centre,
to discover its luxury boutiques: Vuitton,
Fabiani, Escada, Gucci, Armani,… as well as
the local fashion icons: Errol Arendz, Gert van
der Merwe and Catherine Moore. The
boutiques are grouped together at the
Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, on Cavendish
Square or Canal Walk and window shopping
is a must.
Listen to Jazz, at the Green Dolphin or the
Marimba, two city restaurants well known for
the quality of their cuisine, as well as the
excellence of their musicians. The line up
includes stars such as Judith Sephuma or
Gloria Bosman, and rising artists such as
Sylvia Mdunyelwa or Dave Ledbetter.
Try the cuisine: South African dining is well
known….for the assortment of cuisines from
far and wide! Indian meals at Bukhara, in the
town centre, particularly fresh sushi at
Willoughby’s or at Balducci’s, both located at the
Victoria & Albert Waterfront. Hankering after
European cuisine? Opt for the Societi Bistro
with its Provencal flavours! Aptly named Long
Street is lined with restaurants and trendy clubs.
The menus will speak for themselves.
Relax in the company of Table Mountain, at
AltiraSpa, situated on the 19th floor of the
Arabella Sheraton, one of the city’s most highly
regarded spas, which counts for a lot. The
alternative: a sea view with Serenite spa at
Mouille Point, renowned for its holistic therapy.
Take to the sea, on board a yacht in the bay
and toast the setting sun. Boarding is
immediate at one of the three ports or at
the Victoria & Albert Waterfront.
