Cape Town Luxury Hotels

Situated at the south western tip of South Africa, Cape Town is the largest of three capital cities, the others being Pretoria and Johannesburg. It is probably the best known city in this country and definitely one of the most vibrant and cosmopolitan. There is spectacular architecture and scenery throughout the city and a vast range of places to stay including the world famous Table Bay. Cape Town luxury hotels have some of the most breathtaking views of Table Mountain across Table Bay, making the area a very desirable destination.

South Africa has had a fairly turbulent history in terms of racial segregation or 'apartheid'. This was introduced as an official policy after the general election in 1948 and continued until 1994. Under the system inhabitants were classified into one of four racial groups and were required to live in specifically designated areas with segregated education, medical care and other public services. The regime officially ended with the election of Nelson Mandela on 27th April 1994, which is a now a public holiday known as 'Freedom Day'.

Cape Town is one of the few South African cities that has kept and maintained its old buildings and has successfully incorporated them with new structures. Camps Bay is one such suburb which has seen a massive regeneration and is now very popular with rich and famous visitors from all over the world. Cape Town luxury hotels form the biggest income generator in this area and range from true colonial style buildings to ultra modern structures, creating an extraordinary mix.

One of many unique tourist attractions in Cape Town is Robben Island, located less than three miles from the city center in Table Bay. It was formerly a penitentiary island housing many well known political prisoners including Nelson Mandela, who was held there for many years. Regular ferries cross to the island which has now been designated a World Heritage Site.

For those fond of the great outdoors the Table Mountain National Park must be seen. The park has been designated a Natural World Heritage Site and boasts an estimated 2200 species of plants, many of which are extremely rare. As much of the mountain itself is a protected area, the best way to view it is from the Aerial Cableway. The specially made 'Rotair' cars run on a double cable to make them stable and rotate through 360 degrees offering passengers a truly panoramic viewpoint of the whole park.

For anyone who likes to experience local food and wine, the ideal place to visit is the Constantia Vineyards. This is a very beautiful area at the base of Table Mountain, populated with oak trees and Dutch style colonial homesteads as well as world renowned restaurants. The vineyards were originally begun by Simon van der Stel and were named after his daughter. After his death in 1712 the estate was divided into seven wine estates which are still operating commercially today.

A more unusual place to visit is Knysna, home to South Africa's largest Rastafarian community. This township is a very popular destination for guided tours, enabling visitors to experience firsthand the spiritual and eco-friendly lifestyle of the community. An annual Earth Festival takes place once a year where the Rastafarians celebrate their good fortune with traditional ceremonies, live music and many other activities.

For a relaxing visit, Uniondale is predominantly a quiet and peaceful farming community, specializing in goats, sheep and apples. It is also home to a unique narrow gauge railway which crosses the highest narrow gauge bridge in the world. The indigenous population of Bushmen in the area was the Khoisan people. Just outside of Uniondale is a shrine where it is possible to view over five hundred rock paintings created by the Khoisan which are between 400 and 3000 years old.

If vibrancy, bustle and an excellent nightlife is a must, then the V&A Waterfront is one of South Africa's most popular destinations. It is a unique combination of museums, tourist attractions, restaurants, nightclubs and shops in one structure. The entire complex is built around the city's historic harbor and features the very best of Cape Town luxury hotels.

Cape Town certainly has a great deal to offer its visitors. So whether it is nightlife, beaches, history, culture or scenery that is desired, they are all available aplenty and combine to make an eventful and unforgettable holiday experience.

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