Cape Town — 4 Mother City travel tips
According to some South Africans, a local newspaper in the 1930s claimed Cape Town was the only real ‘metropolis’ in Africa, so a savvy linguist nicknamed it The Mother City in a literal translation of the Greek term.
But whatever the origin, there’s an apt maternal majesty about this stunning city that snakes around Table Mountain and the Twelve Apostles and attracts global travelers like a magnet.
It’s highly-rated on sites like TripAdvisor and was named the favorite city in Africa and the Middle East for the 17th consecutive year in 2018 by glossy tourist publication Travel + Leisure.
You can reach Cape Town from major US airports in New York, LA, Washington D.C. and Atlanta and prices range from around $1000 to $1500, which is reasonable considering the distance covered.
If you want to scratch those itchy feet with an awesome African adventure, here are four Cape Town travel tips for pre-flight prepping and making the most of the city.
- Reading
Reading a good book during your flight can serve as cultural research.
And for insider insights on this destination, ditch travel guides in favor of Zoe Wicomb’s You Can’t Get Lost in Cape Town.
This sublime collection of connected short stories unpicks issues of identity and exile in Apartheid-era South Africa and will whet your appetite wonderfully.
- Parking
You don’t want to arrive for a long-haul flight feeling stressed and sweaty after battling public transport — it’s much more pleasant to journey to the airport in your own vehicle.
Book a secure valet or park and fly space with US airport parking site Looking4.com and your ride will be perfectly safe until you return.
With this chilled-out commute, you’ll cruise through check-in without a worry in the world.
- Robben Island
Located a reasonably short boat ride from the city, Robben Island played a crucial role in South Africa’s history as the site of Nelson Mandela’s incarceration for 18 of his 27 years in prison.
This is an emotive trip — you’ll step into the great man’s cramped cell and visit the lime quarry where he and fellow ANC members were forced to break rocks into gravel under the blazing sun.
- Lanzerac
South African wines are world-renowned, and if you want to sample them from the source, head to university town Stellenbosch in the Cape Winelands, around 50km east of the city.
Heritage hotel and spa Lanzerac was founded way back in 1692 and its classic Cape Dutch architecture nestles amongst ancient oak trees and verdant vineyards.
If you don’t have time to stay the night, day guests can relax with a cathartic massage on the veranda after sampling a superb sauvignon blanc or cheeky chardonnay.
You’ll need a designated driver, but it’s worth the trek to take in some beautiful scenery and bag a few bargain bottles to take home.
These four Cape Town travel tips are the tip of the iceberg, but they’ll set you up for a smooth start to a terrific trip.
Do you have Cape Town travel advice? Share it in the comments section.
