Cape Town and the Peninsula
Portfolio offers a variety of accommodation from fine country houses, hotels, private game reserves and game lodges, guest houses, country inns, villas and apartments, self-contained cottages and farm stays. Whether you are on safari, or planning a honeymoon, traveling with the family or seeking a romantic weekend away or simply traveling South Africa, the choices are endless with over 900 accommodation establishments to choose from country wide. . Whether you are seeking a golfing holiday, eco-safari or cultural experience, the Portfolio Collection has it all. More airlines are offering direct flights from major European cities such as London, Frankfurt in Germany, Amsterdam and Paris to Cape Town.
Rated by numerous journalists and writers as one of the world's most beautiful cities. Since 1580, the Cape has made a lasting impression, "The fairest Cape in all the world, is how Sir Francis Drake described it in 1580. Cape Town has one of the most beautiful natural settings, against the majestic backdrop of Table Mountain. Known as the Mother City, Cape Town is a vibrant and colourful city. The nature and character of this cosmopolitan city is reflected in the slogan "One City, Many Cultures". Visit the V&A Waterfront, beaches at Clifton and Camps Bay, Constantia and its wine route, False Bay, Simon's Town and Cape Point, or join a township tour and stay overnight. Numerous attractions include the world famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens on the slopes of Table Mountain, which has recently been declared a World Heritage Site. The Cableway is a popular way to get to the top of Table Mountain and the views are quite spectacular. Cape Town's Big Six are Cape Point Nature Reserve, Robben Island Museum, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Cape Winelands and Table Mountain Cable car. Cape Town is also home to the South African Parliament. The Royal Cape Yacht Club is the starting point for the famous Cape to Rio yacht race and is a popular yachting stop for many sailors from around the world and is a popular local yachting marina. Simon's Town also has a yacht basin.
Choose from over 180 accommodation establishments including villas and apartments, guest houses, boutique hotels and self-contained cottages as well as bed and breakfast homes.
Cape Town's biggest shopping mecca is the V&A Waterfront, which is also the starting point for the Robben Island Ferry, which is based at the Robben Island Museum. A visit to Robben Island is an essential part of any trip to South Africa, Nelson Mandela (Madiba) and many other famous South African's spent many years incarcerated on the Island, with Nelson Mandela serving 27 years in prison before his release in 1992.
Blouberg - Blouberg's beaches are famous for kite surfing and paragliding. After you have captured your panoramic shot of Table Mountain, relax at one of the local eateries.
City Bowl - Café e Vida on Kloof Street makes classic cappuccinos and yummy muffins, it's a trendy and central spot to meet a friend. Long Street is a legend, Cape Town's own bohemian quarter, packed with shops, cafés and clubs.
De Waterkant - Fast becoming known as Cape Town's Décor District, with shops selling everything from antiques to traditional, shabby chic, ethnic and Bauhaus. Trendy alfresco cafés and bistros. Just below on Green Point's Somerset Road is the city's welcoming gay nightlife district.
Green Point - Good coffee and deli delights at Giovanni's; for a great local vibe and good food, Manos is a must. The open-air Sunday market on Green Point common sells everything!
Bantry Bay - For breakfast, Carlucci's, sister café to Giovanni's in Green Point, do great cappuccinos, served with lots of Italian attitude and a newspaper, it's the place to see and be seen.
Camps Bay - Spend a day on Camps Bay beach with its white beaches and soaring palms, stroll to pavement cafés on the Camps Bay "strip" along Victoria Road, brilliant to visit at any time for a sunny snack or to make a night of it. Start at Sand Bar for the best dairy-free smoothies in town, then work your way down the main road to Blues Restaurant, upstairs.
Mouille Point - Great views and sundowners, with excellent seafood and sushi at Wakame, a clean-cut modern restaurant.
Sea Point - Join the walkers and joggers along the popular Promenade, which stretches from Bantry Bay to the V&A Waterfront, and passes the historic Mouille Point Lighthouse - with its haunting fog-horn sounding on misty days.
Constantia - Treat the family and visit the historic Groot Constantia Wine Estate and enjoy a meal at Simon's. Don't forget to sample the Cape's fine wines on the Constantia Wine Route. Constantia Village Shopping Centre is a buzz.
Newlands - Cape Town's best kept secret is the Victorian Montebello art and craft centre, where papermakers, potters, weavers and jewellers have their studios. There is an original working forge and two quality gift and craft shops. After browsing enjoy a light lunch or tea and cake at the Gardener's Cottage under two magnificent camphor trees. Near Newlands Rugby ground is the historic Josephine Mill, named after the Swedish queen by Anders Ohlsson who founded the mill and a brewery in South Africa. Nearby is Melissa's for buffet lunches with homemade quiches, salads and tarts.
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