South Africa is often referred to as the “rainbow nation” to describe the country’s multicultural diversity, especially in the wake of apartheid. The World Bank classifies South Africa as an upper-middle-income economy, and a newly industrialized country.

Most of South Africa’s landscape is made up of high, flat areas called plateaus. These lands are covered with rolling grasslands, called highveld, and tree-dotted plains called bushveld. To the east, south, and west of the plateau lands is a mountainous region called the Great Escarpment.

SOME PLACES TO VISIT INCLUDE;

1.    VISIT GROOT CONSTANTIA: A WINE LOVER’S PARADISE

Wine lovers travel far and wide to experience Groot Constantia – South Africa’s oldest wine estate. Groot Constantia has been producing wine of outstanding quality uninterruptedly since 1685 with its award-winning wines still celebrated around the world today.

The estate’s historic Grand Constance – a sweet wine from the Napoleonic era – is a source of great pride and can be purchased at the Cloete Cellar, the only place where it was ever produced. The Cloete Cellar also hosts a tasting room and a museum where a 195-year-old bottle of Grand Constance, brought back to its birthplace, is on display. Two more tasting rooms play host to decadent chocolate and wine pairings in addition to award-winning wines on offer.

Visitors are encouraged to enjoy the newly launched Visitor Route Experience to experience the historic Manor House Museum, original Cloete Cellar, a cellar tour and a wine tasting. The new Visitor Route Experience ticket includes a take home gift in the form of a Spiegalau Crystal wine glass.

The Simon’s and Jonkershuis restaurants at Groot Constantia offer visitors al fresco dining expertly paired with the estate’s award-winning wines. Romantic picnics and private dining opportunities make for a unique fine dining experience. Enjoy Simon’s Restaurant favourites such as crispy pork belly and delicious hamburgers in a setting between the lush vineyards, or browse a rustic yet elegant Cape Malay menu at Jonkershuis Restaurant set amongst  ancient oak trees.

Groot Constantia facts and highlights:

• South Africa’s oldest wine producing estate founded in 1685 by Simon van der Stel.
• The estate has won over 100 top gold accolades and global awards in the past 10 years alone.

• Buy an all-inclusive Visitor Route Experience ticket in the Manor House and get to do a wine tasting in the original buildings, a full museum tour in the Cloete Cellar and Manor House, enjoy a cellar tour and receive a Spiegalau Crystal wine glass.
• Visit the original Cloete Cellar. The birthplace of Grand Constance – the sweet wine famously ordered by Napoleon Bonaparte.
• Visit two world-class restaurants: Jonkershuis Restaurant and Simon’s Restaurant.

2.VISIT ROBBEN ISLAND MUSEUM

Now, Robben Island is a World Heritage Site and museum, offering daily tours. The tour begins at the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V&A Waterfront with a multimedia exhibition, museum shop and restaurant, after which, guests hop onto the ferry for a scenic trip to the island. Once on Robben Island itself, the tour is guided by a former political prisoner of the island, for unique and incomparable insights into the island’s history.

Parents who want their children to learn more about South Africa’s political history and gain insight into the struggles and triumphs of the past, will find this Robben Island experience one of the many ways to share South Africa’s history and ensure that our children appreciate our city’s heritage.

Highlights:

• Ferry tour from V&A Waterfront to Robben Island
• See where Nelson Mandela served the majority of his sentence
• Island tour guided by a former political prisoner

8 SMART WAYS TO SAVE MONEY WHEN VISITING CAPE TOWN

Holidays can be expensive, but they don’t have to be. There are many ways to save money and still have a great time. In a city like Cape Town, with it’s outdoor culture, it’s easy to get by on a budget. One of Cape Town’s best attractions is the great outdoors, where you could spend hours hiking, swimming, sunbathing, or taking part in sports.

ENJOY FREE (OR VERY AFFORDABLE) ACTIVITIES

What better way to save money than by not spending it at all? Cape Town is a wonderland of free activities. With endless adventures to be had on mountain, forest, and sea, you could easily fill a holiday without spending much at all. Try out some of the spectacular hiking trails, visit the beaches, go chasing waterfalls, or spend a day exploring the parks and gardens all over the city.

GET AN IVENTURE CARD FOR YOUR SIGHTSEEING

If you want to take in all the sights Cape Town has to offer, it’s well worth getting hold of an iVenture card, which offers fantastic discounts and free entry to some of the city’s top attractions.

MAKE USE OF DISCOUNT VOUCHERS

One of the most popular ways to see the city and get around is the City Sightseeing bus. There are multiple routes taking in the city’s biggest attractions, and it’s an affordable way to get around the city if you’re here for a few days. Remember to hang on to your ticket, because it contains discount vouchers for attractions, meals, tours, and curios. Use these vouchers to knock the cost of your day out way down. There are also more than R2,000 worth of discounts inside the Love Cape Town Visistor’s Guide, which you can pick up at any of our Visitor Information Centres in and around Cape Town.

LOOK OUT FOR THE WEEKLY RESTAURANT SPECIALS

Every day in Cape Town, there’s a way to dine for a fraction of the normal price. There are two-for-one specials, happy hours, and all kinds of other specials that will allow you to eat like a king on a shoestring budget.

SAVE MONEY WITH ONLINE BOOKINGS

Whether you’re booking for events or attractions, there are often discounts for bookings made online. City Sightseeing offers discounts for tickets bought online—plus you get to skip the queue. Most live music venues also offer discounts for tickets purchased online in advance.

BOOK FLIGHTS EARLY AND KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR SPECIALS

Flights are often the biggest drain on funds when going on holiday, but they don’t need to be. If you check regularly for flight sales you’re likely to find sweet deals. It’s also important to book your flights as far in advance as possible, so if you’re thinking about visiting Cape Town, don’t wait! Book your flights now.

BOOK ACCOMMODATION WISELY

Peak season is always going to be a little pricier, so consider booking your trip for shoulder season (March, April, September, or October) for lower rates. You could also come in the winter to take advantage of the many specials on accommodation. Try Airbnb for affordable self-catering, and choose to stay in more affordable areas.

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