A Visitors Guide To Cape Town South Africa

For those people who are looking for a trip of a lifetime; consider Cape Town, South Africa. It is a truly gorgeous place and one that you will not see on an average vacation.

Cape Town is physically cut off from the rest of the country by a barrier of mountains. The valleys produce grapes, wine, deciduous fruit and wheat. The cobbled streets, ancient oaks, and the British-built Georgian buildings are only a few of the sights that make Cape Town an extremely beautiful place to visit.

Cape Town, South Africa is a very historic city. It is also a cultural and racial melting pot. One of the best places to get started then is the South African Museum. Here you can begin to puzzle out the cultural side of Cape Town. The South African Museum is the oldest museum in the country and is located in Cape Towns Companys Gardens which is at the top of Adderley Street. You will find a wide variety of natural history and cultural displays. There is also a neighboring planetarium where you can see the main features of the southern hemisphere night sky.

The Companys Gardens were designed at first under the instruction of the Dutch East India Company as a way to provide a midway station for ships traveling to the East. Grapes, turnips, cabbages, grains and potatoes were planted to help alleviate health problems incurred by the sailors. You will also be able to view some of the grand buildings in the Gardens. Inside the buildings you can see museum exhibits and the Anglican St. Georges Cathedral.

While you are in the area you may want to visit the office of South Africas State President and the Houses of Parliament. The most famous hotel in Cape Town is the Mount Nelson and it is located at the southernmost point of Government Avenue. This hotel has a very special and formal afternoon tea and was built in a beautiful colonial style. You will be able to see Table Mountain from the hotel, too.

On Adderly Street you can walk toward the harbor and see the oldest church in South Africa, Groote Kerk. Be sure to take a look at the ornately carved pulpit. Here you can view the statues of Jan van Riebeeck and his wife, Maria. Close to these attractions is the Castle of Good Hope which is the oldest surviving intact structure in South Africa.

A special part of Cape Town is Greenmarket Square. It is a good place to shop of you like a flea market atmosphere and shopping opportunities. You can take a look at The Old Town House which is a wonderful baroque structure that was built in 1761. Here you can see the Michaelis Collection of Dutch and Flemish art. You can also shop at pawnshops and boutiques that have their businesses in very attractive Victorian buildings.

You might enjoy the museums in Cape Town. These museums have interesting and diverse displays and are operated by the Iziko Museums of Cape Town. Another possibility is to visit a group of restored houses in the area.

Visit Cape Town, South Africa for a trip you will never forget.

Planning a trip to Cape Town? Visit the Search South Africa Hotels website to find Cape Town lodge hotel by going to http://www.searchsouthafricahotels.com/Cape-Town-1.shtml You'll also find Cape Town car rentals, last minute deals, vacation packages and flights.