Cape Town - harmony of diversity

The spirit of rich culture and music accompany us to every corner of the city, whose special character was shaped for many centuries by the native Hottentots and other African tribes, as well as settlers from Indonesia, France, Holland, England and Germany. Modern Africa was born here, and everything full of monuments bears witness to the turbulent history of the city, which grew from a small settlement near the famous Cape of Good Hope, which supplied the ships of the Dutch East India Company with food on their long journey to the East. Despite all the glitz and beauty, we can't ignore the huge chasm that yawns between wealth and poverty. Glass skyscrapers and luxurious shopping centers and residential villas are replaced on the outskirts of the city by shantytowns of black residents, who remind us that the infamous apartheid, abolished fifteen years ago, still lives on in the form of insurmountable social contradictions. The heart of the city and its trademark is Table mountain − Table Mountain, a mighty, 1,086-meter-high rocky elevation, which earned Cape Town a place among the handful of world specialities. We can climb to the top of this magnificent cityscape by gondola, or if we have enough time and healthy legs, we can go on foot. After a two- to three-hour walk among blooming daisies, lilies and many types of protea, we will be rewarded with a beautiful view of the city and its surroundings. In the arms of Table Mountain lies the center of the city, called the City Bowl, a collection of wealthy city districts that arose in the natural amphitheater at the foot of the mountain and descends into Table Bay. Interesting Victorian architecture can be admired here. A visit to the Robben Island Museum on Robben Island, where the infamous prison operated for more than 400 years, is a must. In the 20th century, many anti-apartheid fighters were imprisoned there, including Nelson Mandela. Many of the museum guides are former political prisoners. Today, the museum is a symbol of the power of the human spirit and the victory of justice over injustice. All that the Atlantic and Indian oceans have to offer, meeting at the southernmost point of Africa, will be seen in the enormous pools of the Two oceans Aquarium in the famous shopping and entertainment center of Victoria & Albert Waterfront. For those who are skilled divers, the aquarium also offers the possibility of a close encounter with sharks. We will also enjoy the beautiful city beaches. Camps bay, which bears the fashionable nickname of the Riviera, is a popular meeting place for movie stars. Next door, Glen Beach, is full of muscular surfers. The beaches in Clifton, a suburb of Cape Town, are also considered one of the most beautiful. They are named after numbers. The first is for everyone, the second is for couples, the third is for families. So we can choose the one that suits us best.

For under the teeth
Modern cities are becoming global crossroads and playgrounds for all kinds of mixing of a wide variety of cultures and food. Today we are talking about the so-called fusion cuisine, which mixes Italian, Indian, French, Malay, Japanese and ingredients brought from all possible other places on Earth and intertwines them into a wonderful experience of new tastes. "Everything goes with everything" could be called the motto of culinary Cape Town. Most of these restaurants, which also look really beautiful from the outside, can be found in City Bowl. Ginja, with its almost sinfully bright red interior, reminds us of distant Asia, but the same cannot be said for the food. Skilled chefs mix chocolate into almost every dish. One of the hottest restaurants right now is Manolo, which offers an ideal mix of Italian, French and African cuisine. Everyone in town knows Madame Zingara. The restaurant in a huge gypsy tent offers a spectacle of art, music and food. While we will enjoy excellent food from all over the world, we will be amazed by the various circus shows that are a regular part of the restaurant's offer during these months.

For spendthrifts
Of the many shopping malls in the city, the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront is still the most popular among tourists. With its location by the harbor, a rich selection of restaurants, cinema shows, and music events, it creates an atmosphere that truly goes beyond just shopping. Trapped in an endless number of bookstores, fashion stores with textiles, jewelry, African traditional products, antiques and gifts, we will very quickly lose track of time. A craft market is also open daily in the Waterfront. Let's visit the popular flea market at Greenmarket Square, which is located in the central business district of Cape Town and is open every day. The slave trade used to flourish here, but today you can buy clothes, jewelry and souvenirs from Kenya, Zimbabwe, South and West Africa at hundreds of stalls. In Cape Town, we must buy at least one piece of jewelry that exudes true African style. Dolce & Banana is a recognized name for jewelery made from local materials such as eggshells, glass and feathers. Their products are not missing from any issue of the South African edition of Elle magazine. Lovers of diamonds, sapphires and emeralds will be delighted by the exclusive selection at the Peter Gilder jewelry store, which has been run by a father and daughter devoted to the production of precious jewelry since 1984. Nightlife Let's treat ourselves to a special kind of urban safari, a nighttime musical tour of the city's rich jazz scene. They say there are 20 guitarists per square kilometer in Cape Town and a saxophonist in every bush. The owners of the small agency Andulela, Ian Harris and Michael Wolf, take us on an expedition called the Cape Town Jazz Safari. A complete musical experience with selected city musicians, locations and authentic rhythms. We will learn about goema, the characteristic music of Cape Town, which has its roots in ancient tribal drum rhythms and distinctive singing. Or we can visit Marco's African Place, an excellent restaurant that turns into a jazz club at night. Marco serves both international and authentic African dishes. The menu contains unusual "basics", such as "crocodile carpaccio for the brave". At Marco's jazz performances, you can listen to young local talents and established music stars, such as Hugh Masekela and Sylvia Mdunyelwa.

Stay
A wide choice of accommodation, from five-star luxury hotels to cheap travel cabins, apartments and beautiful villas, allows us to find something for our soul and pocket. Prices fluctuate a lot depending on location and of course depending on the season. The lowest prices are in the off-season, which lasts from April to September, and the peak season is in December and January. Accommodation around Camp's Bay, Clifton and Bantry Bay is generally more expensive than False Bay. Of course, especially the luxury hotels in the city center are extremely expensive, but they offer services of the highest quality. We will experience the perfect mix of Victorian mystique and modern comfort in the luxurious Table Bay Hotel with 329 rooms, a wonderful view of Table Mountain and Robben Island, a superb spa offer and an excellent restaurant with a wine cellar boasting as many as six thousand bottles of selected wines. Ikhaya guest lodge is a cute boutique hotel tastefully furnished with African traditional decor. It stands in the trendy district of Dunkley Square, where restaurants, bars and the business world live side by side. Book attic room number 19 and you will experience unforgettable views of the mountain and the surrounding area.

What's happening
The city offers everything, full of daily musical and cultural events and sports events. From the 8th to the 11th of May, visit the Wine Festival at the Waterfront Centre, where each year almost 300 wines from 75 of the best wineries in the area are presented, including the most famous ones such as Boplaas, De Wetshof, Dimersfontein, Groote Post and many others. The fair is a true gourmet feast of selected food and wines. In early June, the wineries around Cape Town open their doors. Wacky Wine Weekend, as the event is called, offers tastings of wines, cheeses, olives and various other activities such as cycling, boating and more. From June 16 to July 14, the famous extreme triathlon 2007 Freedom Challenge Extreme Triathlon Race takes place around the city. 88 kilometers of running, 2300 kilometers of mountain biking and 220 kilometers of rowing represent a challenge for extreme athletes from all over the world.