Have you ever felt like traveling to a place that is relaxing and upbeat at the same time? Well, there is only one place on earth that encompasses both of these adjectives. That perfect destination is none other than Cape Town, South Africa! From white sand beaches bathed in turquoise seas to palm tree lined streets etched with exotic blooms of various shapes and hues, Cape Town is comprised of some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Hout Bay, Camps Bay, and Simon's Town are just a few of the beaches I was able to frequent while on vacation. Penguins often make an appearance especially at Simon’s Town beach where there is even a little Pedestrian Penguin Crossing created just for the cold loving bird community. Visitors can also absorb the breath taking views that Cape Town has to offer. Towering at a graceful 3,558 feet, Table Mountain(a flat top mountain) is situated right in the middle of the city. You literally get a jaw dropping view of this scenic beauty from just about any quadrant of the town. For a nominal fee, the entire mountain can be viewed by either cableway, hiking, biking, or (for the more adventurous) rock climbing. Don’t forget your camera! Ostriches and baboons can be found roaming freely throughout the terrain but it is strongly recommended for you not to touch or feed the wildlife. If mountains aren’t your forte, than check out the Cape of Good Hope! Located approximately 40 miles outside of Cape Town, The Cape of Good Hope is the southernmost tip of Africa and was the epicenter for trade during its discovery in 1488. Cape Town also possesses several wine vineyards producing some of the most varied and aromatic libations from the South African region. My vineyard of choice was Vergelegen, noted as the number one vineyard in Cape Town. Tours can be taken daily with winetasting available at an additional cost not to exceed 30 ran ($3.00 US dollars). Though Cape Town is renowned for its’ beaches, mountain, and vineyards, the city holds a lot of historical relevance from the Apartheid era. History lovers have the opportunity to visit Robben Island, where individuals who opposed Apartheid, were imprisoned. The most famous political prisoner was former South African president, Nelson Mandela, who was incarcerated on Robben Island for twenty seven years before his release in 1990. Robben Island is a short ferry ride from Cape Town. Tours of the island are given by former political prisoners who share some of the most chilling and darkest stories based on their experiences.
If you are able to tolerate the 16 hours it takes to travel by air, than Cape Town South Africa is a must see on your bucket list!
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