The Cape Town region is surrounded in History, the first explorers were Portuguese, and they named the land the Cape of Good Hope. The land was then occupied by a tribe called the San and the Khoikhoi’s. The first settlement in the area was not found until 1652, when the Dutch Fleet lead by Jan van Riebeek was shipwrecked. This commune grew into what we now know as Cape Town.
Cape Town is the mother city of Africa, an area that is regarded as one of the most beautiful regions in the world. The amalgamations of various, divergent past colonial rulers have had a hugely positive impact on the areas culture. As a result Cape Town hosts vast amounts of attractions. At VIPvillas we like to cater for all types of traveller, Cape Town offers lots to see and do, such as Table Mountain, a world heritage site that house some 8,500 species of flower.
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Cape Town also has many pristine beaches sheltered bays and secluded coves. The best beaches in Cape Town include Camps Bay, Clifton, and Boulders Beach where you can see the penguins. Blouberg beach is a favourite amongst tourists, as it offers stunning views of Table Mountain. The warmer seas are within False Bay.
Attractions
Stellenbosch: This is a lovely historical town in the heart of the wine growing region that is surrounded by pretty mountains. It"s home to one of the country"s most established universities with over 25000 students and offers some fine examples of Cape-Dutch architecture. It is also known as "Eikestad" which means Oak city because of its oak tree lined streets. Wines from Stellenbosch are known internationally and rank among the best in the world. It is less than an hour from Cape Town.
Paarl: The Paarl is an historic town located 50km out of Cape Town but is well worth a visit as it has a lot to offer. The town has a huge granite rock intrusion that appears to shine like a pearl when the sunlight hits it, which is why the town is named Paarl. When in Paarl make sure you take a look at the Museum, the well maintained mansions, Cape Dutch architecture and beautiful gardens.
Robben Island: Robben Island lies 12 kilometres off the coast of Cape Town in Table Bay. For hundreds of years, the island has been used to house prisoners; this is where Nelson Mandela was held during the apartheid regime in South Africa for twenty seven years. Guided emotional tours of the main prison, Mandela’s cell, the quarry where prisoners laboured are a must see, a trip to the South of Africa would not be complete without a stop at Robben Island.
Table Mountain: Table Mountain is the defining characteristic for Cape Town. If you are a first time visitor to Cape Town, then a visit is a must, and you should aim to go on a day which is very clear and not cloudy. You can either enjoy a pretty easy hike along the many trails which lead up and over the mountain or take the cable car for a few rand. There are vantage points from which you will get a bird’s eye view of the whole of Cape Town on one side and Camps Bay on the other laid out below.
Cape Town does not shut down for the night. After dark a whole new Cape Town comes to life as bars and disco"s open. The Waterfront, Sea Point and lower Cape Town are good places to look out for an interesting bar or club.
Restaurants:
Cape Town is a large city and has lots of different restaurants for you to dry, that serve a variety of cuisine from around the world. VIPvillas recommends that you try Cape foods, seafood dishes such as crayfish, snook and the perlemoen are specialities. South Africa has a reputed wine selection which you must sample when in Cape Town.
The climate in Cape Town can be described as being similar to that of the Mediterranean with warm, dry summers and mild, moist winters. The Cape has a mostly temperate climate. Near the coast, summer temperatures range from a pleasant low of 15C (59F) to highs of 27C (80F). Inland temperatures are some 3 to 5 degrees higher, making for gorgeous summer days and nights.
Visas and Immigration: Entry permits are issued on arrival to holiday visitors from most British Commonwealth countries. It is possible that, on entry into South Africa, you will be asked to show sufficient funds to support your stay or have an onward ticket. Visa extensions are expensive and can be difficult to obtain because of the recent influx of illegal immigrants.
Money: Credit and charge cards are widely accepted, including American Express, Bank of America, Diners, MasterCard, Standard Bank Card and Visa. Some ATM"s give cash advances. Travellers cheques are also widely accepted and exchanged. Different commission charges are incurred depending on which bank you use and which travellers cheques you have.
Most banks are open Mon-Fri 0900-1530 and Sat 0900-1100. Autobanks are found in most towns and operate on a 24-hour basis.
Exchange rate in December 2007
1 South African Rand = 0.074 British Pound 1 British Pound (GBP) = 13.796 South African Rand (ZAR
Local Time: South Africa is two hours ahead of GMT
Capital: Pretoria
Electrical Power: Electric Power is 220/230V
Country Dialling Code: +27
Local Health Conditions
Malaria: Malaria is mainly confined to the eastern half of South Africa, If you are travelling in endemic areas it is extremely important to avoid mosquito bites and to take tablets to prevent this disease. Symptoms range from fever, chills and sweating, headache, diarrhoea and abdominal pains to a vague feeling of ill-health. Seek medical help immediately if malaria is suspected
Languages in South Africa: South Africa has 11 official languages. English is the language of administration and is spoken throughout the country. The other official languages are: Afrikaans, Ndebele, Northern Sotho, Southern Sotho, Swazi, Tsongo, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa and Zulu
Emergency Numbers: From a fixed line 107 - Emergency 10111 - Police [52] 10177 – Ambulance
Water: Municipal tap water is safe to drink throughout the country. In the Western Cape mountain water is safe, even if it has been stained brown due to vegetation.
Cape Town Villas
