“Tavern of the Seas”
In 1652 Jan van Riebeeck sailed into Table Bay and laid the foundations of South Africa’s oldest city. His first undertaking was to establish a vegetable garden for the purpose of providing passing merchant ships with fresh food. Before long, weary sailors from around the world dropped anchor in the bay to replenish supplies.
The settlement soon earned the titled: ‘Tavern of the Seas’, and to this day, Cape Town has maintained a reputation for friendly hospitality. With its majestic Table Mountain backdrop, Cape Town is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. An eclectic mix of architectural styles reflects the tastes and dictates of the past - and the more functional demands of the 20th century.
The city’s Edwardian and Victorian buildings have been meticulously preserved, and many outstanding examples of Cape Dutch architecture are found in the city and its environs. Cobble stoned streets, mosque’s and the flat-roofed pastel homes of the Malay Quarter entrance a cosmopolitan ambience, and in a recent development, the restoration of the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront evokes images of the seafaring activities of the 19th century.
For a closer look at life at the Cape in earlier times, interesting historical collections are on display in several museums. Cape Town’s shopping options invite you to endlessly browse - and buy. Elegant shopping malls, department stores, antique shops and at galleries abounds. Specialist boutiques in Long Street and the narrow little alleys intersecting it offer an enticing array of unusual articles not readily obtainable elsewhere.
At the end of the day, gourmets and lovers of sophisticated entertainment have a treat in store.
South Africa’s legislative capital is situated at the foot of Table Mountain, the famous flat-topped mountain with views out across the peninsula to the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. It is possible to walk up, but for the less intrepid, there is an excellent cable car.
The main hub of the city centre is the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, the beautifully restored old Victorian harbor which offers free entertainment, a wide variety of shops, museums, including the excellent Aquarium, taverns and restaurants.
Boat trips leave from here for harbor tours or the notorious Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela and many other nationalist leaders were imprisoned. The relics of early colonial government are centered on Government Avenue, with many fine old buildings and museums, including the Parliament Buildings; Groote Kerk (mother church of the Dutch Reformed faith); the Cultural History Museum; National Museum; National Gallery; Bertram House and Company’s Garden, planted in 1652 to provide food for passing sailors.
Nearby sights of interest include Bo-Kaap (the home of the Islamic Cape Malay people, confusingly of mainly Indonesian origin); the Castle of Good Hope in Darling Street, built in 1666; the Old Townhouse on Greenmarket Square, housing a permanent collection of 17th-century Dutch and Flemish paintings; and the early 18th-century Koopmans de Wet House.
Those interested in learning more about black and ‘Cape coloured’ culture should visit the District Six Museum, Buitenkant Street, and take one of the many excellent guided tours of the outlying townships of Crossroads, Langa and Khayelitsha.
It is probably not safe for tourists to venture into these areas on their own. Cape Town also has excellent sporting and shopping facilities.
The Baxter Theatre and Artscape Theatre Complex offer a mix of local and international fare. Nightlife is concentrated in the V&A Waterfront, Sea Point, and parts of the central business district, notably around Long Street. Further out, the Cape-Dutch homestead of Spier and Ratanga Junction theme park both offer a variety of entertainment from classical to jazz concerts.
Excursions:
South of Cape Town a long peninsula stretches south, lined by fishing villages and holiday resorts, including Llandudno, Hout Bay, Kommetjie, Fish Hoek, Muizenberg and Simonstown, a delightful Victorian town with a couple of interesting museums and the only colony of penguins to live on the African mainland.
Inland, the magnificent Cape-Dutch farm, Groot Constantia, was one of the first wine farms in the Cape, while the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, created by Cecil Rhodes in 1895 on the lower slopes of Table Mountain, is one of the finest botanical gardens in the world.
In the summer there are open-air concerts. Nearby Chapman’s Peak has spectacular views, but the scenic drive from Hout Bay is currently closed due to landfalls, and you need to walk the last section to the summit. About an hour’s drive from Cape Town, the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve covers the southern tip of the Cape peninsula, with a profusion of flowers, birds and animals, culminating in Cape Point.
Don’t miss:
* Going by cable-car up Table Mountain.
* Robben Island.
* Sundowners on the Atlantic seaboard.
* Seafood at the three harbors and the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront.
* Standing on the end of the peninsula at Cape Point.
* The photogenic historic Malay Quarter of the Bo-Kaap.
Gerald Crawford was born in South Africa, studied electronics, telecommunication, eco-travel and african travel concepts. He taught responsible tourism in South Africa. If you have any questions or comments please e-mail me on. E-mail Address: southafricantravelarticles@12234455.co.za Website Address: http://www.12234455.co.za
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Washington is a place rich with culture and tourist attractions right for just about anyone with any type of preference. People of all age groups will definitely find Washington a very nice place indeed. For the young adults, they will be excited about the night life in Washington. And instead of worrying about driving themselves home after a night of hard partying, they can get a charter bus. For tired kids who had their fill at the National Zoo in Washington, they will instantly fall asleep in a charter bus after a whole day or animal viewing. And for shoppers, the charter bus MUST be a dream-come-true - just the right place to rest their tired feet after a whole day of shopping and heading towards the next shopping destination that Washington is so full of.
The National Zoo in Washington will be a hit with just about anybody, really, because there are thousands of animals from all over the world. The Once you get off the charter bus at Washington’s National Zoo, you’ll enter a world that completely natural. The ambience is just right too. Kids will love it and the adults will be happy that they have decided to ask the charter bus to stop here.
If this is a family trip via a charter bus, you’ll take home lots of memories with you and photos too. Admission into the Washington National Zoo is completely free of charge and the zoo is open from as early as 6 in the morning till about 8 at night, so, you’ll have plenty of time. Don’t worry about what time you get back to the hotel because the charter bus will be right outside waiting for you to finish off your visit. There’s absolutely no rushing necessary.
A visit to Washington’s National Zoo is an enriching experience because it not only is a good educational opportunity for the kids, it’s a good opportunity for family members and friends to bond together as they share a good moment simply going back to nature.
UsCoachways is a leading US-based charter bus service provider with an impressive list of charter bus service clients. Check out http://www.uscoachways.com
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COME FLY WITH ME
1. Morning routes are best for avoiding delays. Booking an early flight rather than a later one gives you more options in the event you are bumped; you’ll have a better chance of getting on another flight the same day. Flying direct is best but, if a connection is necessary, try to fly through a southern hub like Dallas, Charlotte, or Phoenix, where you can at least eliminate weather as a problem. PS: Check out secondary airports, which are offering more flights and expanded, improved services.
2. Luggage regulations differ from airline to airline, but you can generally check two bags weighing less than 50 pounds each for free on domestic flights. Check with your airline as these rules are subject to change. Try to ship gifts ahead of time but, if bringing presents on your flight, don’t wrap them; they might be examined by security. Keep expensive or fragile items in your carry-on to cut down on the chances they’ll be damaged or stolen. PS: Completely avoid baggage hassles by shipping everything ahead of time. Try sportsexpress.com, skycapinternational.com, or virtualbellhop.com.
3. Check out check-in procedures. Many airlines’ websites make it possible for passengers to print out boarding passes at home. Use a curbside skycap if you’re checking luggage; some airlines let them issue boarding passes as well. Inside the terminal, look for a self-service check-in kiosk, where you can quickly get your boarding pass and sometimes check your luggage.
4. Try to use public transportation, as airport parking lots get filled quickly around the holidays. If you must drive, consider a private parking lot near the airport, which will shuttle you to and from the terminal. Find, compare, and reserve airport parking at major US airports at carparknet.com, airportparkingreservations.com, airportdiscountparking.com, and parkingaccess.com. PS: If you live far from an airport and have an early flight, you might want to stay at an airport hotel the night before; some allow you to park your car at the hotel until you return (parksleepfly.com).
5. No matter how well prepared it’s probably inevitable you’ll be stuck in an airport. So check out The Travel Detective: Flight Crew Confidential by Peter Greenberg. It lists pilot and flight-attendant picks for the best stores and services in major airports and cities around the world.
HIT THE ROAD, JACK
6. The AAA recommends mapping your route in advance using an online mapping tool. Gas up, buckle up, and get a full night’s rest before you set off. PS: Limit yourself to an eight hour driving day; take a break every two hours or 100 miles.
7. Prepare a road survival kit for each kid: books, crayons, coloring books, magnetic puzzles, etc. If your hearing can take it, consider All-American Car-i-oke, a book and CD that create the karaoke experience in the car. PS: Check out travelforkids.com and momsminivan.com.
8. Renting a car? Confirm your reservation. Car-rental outfits figure on a no-show rate of 20 percent, so calling to confirm before you arrive lets them know you won’t be among that 20. Try to arrive at the rental counter in late morning or early afternoon. PS: Inquire ahead of time about express check-in programs so you can skip any lines.
Don’t forget Spot and Fido! Whether traveling by plane or car, be sure your pet is properly identified with a current tag or microchip. For advice on air travel with pets go to www.aspca.org and click on Pet Care. If your four legged friends aren’t going, plan ahead and make sure they get the best care while you’re gone.
Rosemary Chieppo has been a professional organizer, writer and public speaker since 1999. The costs of not being organized are enormous: time, money and stress. Organizing is the greatest gift people can give themselves; it clears the path to life’s more important destinations! Visit Rosemary’s website at http://www.borntoorganize.com
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