Cape City. The town the place you’ll immediately fall in love with the views, the meals, and the occasional dose of adrenaline. However whereas this metropolis is a complete charmer, it’s additionally acquired a little bit of a rep for being, effectively, let’s say, ‘thrilling’ in methods you don’t at all times need after darkish. However is it true? Must you be anxious? And which space do you have to keep?
To say that Cape City is sophisticated is an understatement. It’s the place the mountains are epic, the seascapes are majestic, and determining the place to remain is more durable than selecting between wine and extra wine. However don’t fear, on this article, we’ll assist you determine the place to remain primarily based on our private expertise once we traveled to South Africa.
Will it’s the affordability and easy accessibility to key sights of town heart? Possibly the V&A Waterfront, the place you possibly can store, eat, and take Instagram-worthy photographs each 5 steps? Or, maybe Stellenbosch, which is technically outdoors Cape City, however hey, nothing says safe like being surrounded by countless vineyards and the worst that may occur is maxing out your bank card?
Cape City Metropolis Heart (aka Metropolis Bowl)
Metropolis heart, Metropolis Bowl, downtown. Don’t be confused. All of them check with the identical factor. The Cape City metropolis heart is named the Metropolis Bowl due to its distinctive geographic form, like a bowl surrounded by mountains. However no matter you need to name it, one factor is true: it’s the coronary heart of town — vibrant and vigorous.
Staying right here offers you fast entry to a few of the finest eating places, museums, and outlets. By day, it’s a enjoyable place to discover, and also you’ll end up bouncing between espresso outlets, snapping pics of Desk Mountain, and perhaps catching a unusual avenue efficiency. Plus, you’re near public transport, making it tremendous straightforward to get round.
However right here’s the catch—as soon as the solar goes down, it will get slightly… effectively, sophisticated. Cape City is constantly among the many most harmful cities on earth.
We deliberately spent some nights within the metropolis heart to debunk its popularity for being unsafe. The locals we met advised us a lot of it’s overblown as a result of most crimes are concentrated in sure areas — areas that vacationers don’t usually go to anyway. However in addition they discouraged us from roaming the streets downtown after darkish, particularly alone. That features the employees of the lodge we had been staying in. This sort of made us barely extra nervous.
So yeah, Metropolis Bowl’s nice, we didn’t have any unhealthy expertise right here however we had been cautious. Possibly use Uber whenever you get caught outdoors previous sundown.
However why do vacationers nonetheless select to remain right here? Other than accessibility, it’s additionally very budget-friendly. On our previous few nights in Cape City, we stayed at Daddy Lengthy Legs, which was cool, funky, and slightly offbeat. Far out of your typical chain lodging, it’s identified for its artsy vibe, the place every room is individually designed by native artists. Staying right here appears like getting into Cape City’s inventive scene itself.
As for facilities, the rooms are cozy and so they include simply the fundamentals: comfortable beds, ensuite loos, and free Wi-Fi, however don’t count on lavish extras like room service or a pool. And so they acquired the friendliest, most useful employees. They helped us choose the place to eat, the place to get a cup of fine espresso or cocoa, and whether or not or not we should always go to the locations on our itinerary.
Traditionally, Daddy Lengthy Legs began as a boutique artwork lodge and has since turn into a go-to for vacationers on the lookout for one thing with character and allure. It’s not the fanciest lodge within the metropolis, nevertheless it’s positively acquired soul.
V&A Waterfront
Now we’re speaking! However earlier than I focus on V&A Waterfront, let’s speak concerning the higher Atlantic Seaboard first. Cape City’s Atlantic Seaboard is a piece of town’s shoreline that runs alongside the western facet of the Cape Peninsula, bordering the Atlantic Ocean (therefore the title).
It’s finest identified for its breathtaking views, lovely seashores, and vibrant neighborhoods which can be extra prosperous than downtown together with Camps Bay, Bantry Bay, Sea Level, and Inexperienced Level. All of those are typically secure selections for vacationers, however probably the most splendid of all of them is V&A Waterfront.
Why? It affords the vibe and views of the opposite neighborhoods — Desk Mountain, Lion’s Head, ocean and all that jazz — however extra accessible. It’s nearer to town heart, the place most museums and historic landmarks are situated. And it’s additionally the bounce off level for a lot of different actions like sundown cruises and helicopter rides. Plus, Sea Level and Inexperienced Level are close by if you would like a quieter stick with seashores, cool promenade walks, and stylish brunch spots. You’ll get the very best of each worlds right here.
Downsides? It could get touristy and a bit expensive, however actually, the comfort and vibe are value it. Right here at V&A, we stayed at Radisson RED Cape City V&A, proper in the course of the motion. Radisson RED is the hip, fashionable cousin of the Radisson household.
It’s acquired a cool, youthful vibe, with daring scarlet colours and a really Instagrammable aesthetic. Assume large murals and rooftop swimming pools. Sure, rooftop pool. And by the pool is a bar — the RED Rooftop — which is nice for spectacular views of the Desk Mountain and the waterfront.
Even our room had a vista that was fairly exhausting to match. We by no means closed our blinds, not even as soon as, throughout our keep right here. The room assigned to us was spacious, too!
And whereas it’s minimalistic, the eye to element is refreshing. For instance, the closet door handles additionally double as hooks. And the graphic typography on the door additionally reminded us of the vital particulars of our keep.
When it comes to worth, Radisson RED sits within the center. It’s not a price range lodge, however regardless of the comfort, it’s not too costly. Count on costs to skyrocket in peak season like all issues do, however in lean and shoulder months, the charges are cheap. No surprise most journey businesses like Constellation Travels select this as lodging for his or her purchasers.
If you would like easy accessibility to Cape City’s finest sights, good vibes, and slightly luxurious with out going overboard, Radisson RED nails it.
Stellenbosch
OK, let’s make clear first. Stellenbosch is NOT inside Cape City, however it is vitally shut —- about 50 minutes northeast– and is a favourite amongst those that desire a extra enjoyable, extra romantic, extra particular South African getaway. It’s a part of the Cape Winelands area and is thought for its lovely vineyards, historic structure, and college city environment.
Staying right here offers you entry to some unbelievable wineries, the place you possibly can style wine, wander the gardens, and reside out your “I’m in a winery scene from a rom-com” fantasy. It’s additionally acquired a fairly notable meals scene, with eating places serving every part from nice eating to farm-to-table fare.
We not too long ago acquired an invitation to remain in a single day at Lanzerac Lodge and Spa in Stellenbosch, and it hits completely different. When you’re after old-world magnificence and pure indulgence, this five-star lodge is perhaps for you. The lodge is housed in one of many oldest wine estates within the nation, relationship again to 1692! The property itself is historic, mixing Cape Dutch structure with fashionable luxurious.
As we drove into the property, I couldn’t shake the sensation that I’d someway stumble onto a film set. The primary that greeted us was its cinematic rows of oak bushes, surrounded by majestic mountains and sprawling vineyards. And on the finish of this tree tunnel was Cape Dutch structure that made me really feel out-of-words and really out-of-place. You see, we got here straight from a recreation drive in Kruger Nationwide Park then flew to Cape City Airport to get right here. We weren’t appropriately dressed for all this opulence.
After checking in and a scrumptious welcome drink, we had been taken to our spacious room with a chandelier, plush furnishings, a marshmallow-soft mattress, vintage decors, and a terrace that opened as much as courtyard views. I stood there for a second, making an attempt to determine if I used to be dreaming or if somebody had blended up my reservation with a celeb.
After settling in, simply when the solar was about to set, I ventured out to discover the property. The sprawling grounds had been a delight, with superbly manicured gardens and pathways.
Now, let’s speak concerning the meals. Lanzerac has 4 on-site eating spots:
- Manor Kitchen
- Lanzerac Deli
- Taphuis
- Craven Lounge
We solely acquired to strive the Manor Kitchen, however its menu was crammed with gourmand dishes that sounded fancy sufficient to have their very own wine property. For starters, I had crispy pork stomach and king oyster scallops served with apple celeriac puree and spiced mushroom juice (ZAR 160) which I paired with Lanzerac’s homegrown Pinotage Rosé 2023, which is constructed from 100% Pinotage grapes. Which may not be a very good pairing in any respect, however I needed one thing fragrant to flush down the savoriness of my appetizer.
Vins, then again, had crayfish cacio e pepe (ZAR 325), which used chive linguini with thermidor. It’s seafood and cheese goodness, balanced effectively by the pink peppers. I do know as a result of I had a style of it. He paired it with fruity Lanzerac 2023 sauvingnon blanc to chop the richness.
For mains, I had a duo of lamb stomach and cutlet (ZAR 310), which was so tender it virtually sang to me. It was served with artichoke, potato gratin, and lemon onion soubise. Paired it with a glass of smoky 2021 pinotage, which was matured for 16 months in French oak. I believed its spicy notes complemented the dish very well.
Vins had the smoked fillet mignon (ZAR 290), served with sweetbreads, roast heirloom carrots and garlic potato puree. It was an ideal medium uncommon and the sunshine seasoning of the steak went effectively with the plum and berry notes of his merlot. However don’t belief us. We don’t know half of the issues we’re saying in relation to wine.
When you’re fascinated by wines, we had been advised the wine-tasting room is a should for company who need to pattern their award-winning vintages. However as a result of we had very restricted time, we didn’t get to strive it. We didn’t get to discover the remainder of the property as we might be leaving early the subsequent morning.
On the flip facet, Stellenbosch is a bit removed from the primary Cape City sights, so if you happen to’re seeking to combine up your seashore and metropolis sightseeing with wine tastings, the journey time could be a drag. But when your principal purpose is to unwind and sip vino otherwise you merely need to get away from all of it, Stellenbosch may simply be for you!
Which Space is the Finest?
We’ve tried staying in any respect these districts, and we discovered them to be fully completely different from one another. However finally, all of it boils all the way down to why you’re in South Africa and the way a lot you’re keen to spend.
- When you’re on a price range or on a backpacking journey, the Metropolis Bowl (metropolis heart) affords a number of inexpensive lodging choices with sturdy sense of group and in shut proximity to a number of key sights. Simply be cautious when going round at evening.
- When you’re after comfort and security, the V&A Waterfront actually is the very best place to remain. Every little thing is inside straightforward attain from right here, from procuring spots to excursions to eating places. Even the opposite well-known neighborhoods might be simply reached whenever you’re staying right here.
- When you’re after an expensive keep away from all of it, then select Stellenbosch. It’s additionally splendid for individuals who are celebrating one thing particular like honeymoon or anniversary.
Every has its personal character and appeals to very completely different markets and forms of vacationers.
Tour Bundle vs DIY
Our keep in Cape City was half-DIY, half-collaboration with Constellation Travels. And I’d be remiss if I didn’t inform you that it may be explored DIY-style. There are some areas the place you need to observe further warning and areas you need to keep away from, however it may be achieved.
That stated, for Filipinos like us, South Africa is a kind of locations that really feel like once-in-a-lifetime, and if you happen to’re in Cape City to chill out and don’t need to consider anything, then go forward and ebook a tour bundle. It does include advantages.
As some of the established journey businesses within the Philippines, Constellation Travels has been serving to Filipino vacationers discover the world since 1970. From group excursions to customized itineraries, they provide South Africa packages that take the effort out of planning, letting you give attention to what actually issues: having fun with your trip.
Touring abroad can typically really feel overwhelming. You probably have extra price range than time, go for it. They’ll care for your visas, flight bookings, and lodging. Plus, they provide 24/7 assist, so that you’re by no means left hanging.
Get in contact with Constellation Travels via these contact numbers and e-mail handle, or go to their official web site at constellationtravels.com.ph.
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