Grand Finale

End your Cape holiday with a few days stay on a 300-year-old wine estate – Lanzerac Hotel is special. I just loved our stay here and so enjoyed the beautiful traditionally decorated rooms and the very gracious reception areas.
TT1 Have a pre-dinner cocktail in the lounge in front of a roaring fire
TT 2 Be prepared for slow service!
TT 3 While staying here spend a day walking through Stellnbosch- a quaint little town full of small eateries and boutiques and make sure you try an authentic Italian ice-cream from Lecca il Gelato at 15 Church St.
TT 4 The Stellenbosch Botanical Gardens is small and peaceful and I enjoy ordering a fruit juice at their café and relaxing there for a break from hectic touring!
TT 5 Crème Café (40 Rynveldt St. ph: 021 886-9760) is a tiny café that serves delicious scones with cream and jam

 

Spoilt for Choice

In Cape Town there are so many good restaurants so here are a few of our favourites
TT1 Manolos- electic, sophisticated..(30 Kloof St. ph: 021 422-4747)
TT2 Wakami-our favourite seafood and sushi spot, overlooking Moiulle Point
(ph: 021 433-2377)
TT3 La Perla-chic Italian…(Beach Rd. ph: 021 434-2471)
TT4 LaTartine-for breakfasts or light lunches if you are in Die Waterkant area
(72 Waterkant St. ph: 021 425-9077)

 

Road Trip

A lovely drive is to take the road past Muizenburg and on to Kalk Bay. Wander through the numerous junktique shops in this little seaside village and watch the seals dart around the fishing boats in the harbour and then have lunch at Olympia Café.(134 Mian Road, Kalk bay ph:021-788-6396)
TT1 After your meal remember to go around the corner to their bakery and buy an onion and rye loaf!
TT2 Alternatively leave Cape Town early and have a delicious omelet for breakfast at Olympia Café , pick up a picnic in the bakery , and then on past Simons Town and, on the M4, continue this beautiful drive to Cape Point- where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet.

 

Cars,Chefs and Chandeliers

Who would think that a restaurant overlooking a car showroom would be the place to go but The Showroom is just that! The dishes are beautifully presented and taste as good as they look
TT1 Be warned the very chic décor and excellent food come with” attitude”.

 

Pinch of Salt

With a beautiful view over the Atlantic Ocean and slick décor the restaurant at the Ambassador Hotel, Salt is a great place for a cocktail.
TT1 Order something to nibble on with your drinks from their tapas menu
TT2 You might be luckier than me in getting a table at Salt for a dinner if you book way in advance ( phone: 021 439-6170)
TT3 I have stayed at the hotel itself and it is great for a few nights although unless you have a sea-facing room the views are uninspiring!
TT4 I enjoyed our stay at Bantry Bay Luxury Suites Hotel-the rooms are large and the position perfect if you enjoy walking along the esplanade. An added bonus is the all the rooms have well equipped kitchenettes-try and book a sea facing room
TT5 Over the road from Ambassador Hotel and a short walk from Bantry Bay Suites is Carlucci’s- a small deli and coffee shop. Handy for breakfasts or ‘eat-in’ meals if you are staying in the Seapoint or Bantry Bay areas.

 

Take the Long Road

Take a drive toConstantia Uitsig and have a beautiful, gracious meal over looking fields and mountains.
TT1 From Seapoint past Bantry Bay, Clifton and Camp’s Bay continue past Oderkraal and on to Hout Bay. Just before Hout Bay turn left and follow signs to Constantia on M41 and make your way to the restaurant. This drive takes about 45 minutes and gives you the opportunity to admire the majestic views of the twelve apostles and Atlantic coastline- retuning to the city you can take the more direct route.
TT2 Do book as soon as you know your dates.
TT3 I had the chicken livers as a starter and they were outstanding!
TT4 If you are there in winter ask for their “winter special menu” really good value for money

 

Love the City Bowl

I love the city bowl and one of my favourite shopping walks is down Long Street with its numerous funky boutiques and several antique shops
TT1 Start your shopping walk with a coffee and four-cheese muffin at Vida E Café (34 Kloof St. Gardens). A vibey coffee shop that also does freshly squeezed orange juice- I love sitting at one of the outside tables watching everyone walk by and with the Mountain looming up.
TT2 Make a detour and walk through the Company Gardens
TT3 Head back up Long Street and have a beautiful lunch at Manna Epicure(151 Kloof St. ph: 021-426-2413)- an all white restaurant that offers excellent breakfasts and lunches- if you go at peak times on a weekend be prepared to wait.
TT4 Just across and down from Manna is a great shop for South African products- from jewelry to art- Heartworks!( 98 Kloof St. Gardens)
TT5 Also on Kloof St. at number 94,(021 424 5540) is Mellissa’s- a lovely deli that is open every day, and serves breakfasts and lunches. The lunches are buffet-style and you pay by the weight of your plate. Their deli provides delicious “hotel-picnic” fare!

 

On a Clear Day

Of course your visit to Cape Town would not be complete without a trip up Table Mountain- it is breathtaking to stand up there and look over the Cape.
TT1 The first clear day you have do this activity-you never know what the next day will be like!
TT2 I suggest you take a cab up to the cableway… the parking is difficult and you often have to park fairly far from the actual embarkation point – this can mean a long hot walk. There are always cabs waiting up there so when you have finished your excursion it is not a problem to get a lift back to your hotel or car (you can park at TheV&A Waterfront and catch a cab from there.)
TT3 Don’t be tempted to eat on the top of the mountain! There are so many great places to eat in Cape Town and top of the mountain is certainly not one of them!

 

The Fairest Cape

Cape Town is such a beautiful city- With Table Mountain in the background and the Atlantic on your side the views are majestic. I always love to walk along the esplanade from Bantry Bay to Green Point and look at the crashing waves and feel the wind in my face! Remember to look out to Robben Island- such a poignant part of South African history.
TT1 Take the ferry to Robben Island and get the reverse view-this trip is a must so book as soon as you know when you will be in Cape Town.