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, nicely, let’s say, ‘thrilling’ in methods you don’t at all times need after darkish. However is it true? Must you be nervous? 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 tougher than selecting between wine and extra wine. However don’t fear, on this article, we’ll assist you determine the place to remain based mostly on our private expertise after we traveled to South Africa.
Will it’s the affordability and quick access to key sights of town heart? Possibly the V&A Waterfront, the place you may store, eat, and take Instagram-worthy photographs each 5 steps? Or, maybe Stellenbosch, which is technically exterior 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 Middle (aka Metropolis Bowl)
Metropolis heart, Metropolis Bowl, downtown. Don’t be confused. All of them discuss 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 wish to name it, one factor is true: it’s the coronary heart of town — vibrant and lively.
Staying right here provides you fast entry to among the greatest eating places, museums, and retailers. By day, it’s a enjoyable place to discover, and also you’ll end up bouncing between espresso retailers, 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 a bit… nicely, sophisticated. Cape City is persistently among the many most harmful cities on earth.
We deliberately spent some nights within the metropolis heart to debunk its fame for being unsafe. The locals we met instructed 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 type of made us barely extra nervous.
So yeah, Metropolis Bowl’s nice, we didn’t have any dangerous expertise right here however we had been cautious. Possibly use Uber while you get caught exterior previous sundown.
However why do vacationers nonetheless select to remain right here? Apart from accessibility, it’s additionally very budget-friendly. On our previous couple of nights in Cape City, we stayed at Daddy Lengthy Legs, which was cool, funky, and a bit 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 looks like entering into Cape City’s inventive scene itself.
As for facilities, the rooms are cozy they usually include simply the fundamentals: comfortable beds, ensuite bogs, and free Wi-Fi, however don’t anticipate 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 excellent espresso or cocoa, and whether or not or not we must always go to the locations on our itinerary.
Traditionally, Daddy Lengthy Legs began as a boutique artwork lodge and has since grow to be a go-to for vacationers searching for one thing with character and appeal. It’s not the fanciest lodge within the metropolis, however it’s undoubtedly acquired soul.
V&A Waterfront
Now we’re speaking! However earlier than I focus on V&A Waterfront, let’s discuss concerning the larger Atlantic Seaboard first. Cape City’s Atlantic Seaboard is a bit of town’s shoreline that runs alongside the western facet of the Cape Peninsula, bordering the Atlantic Ocean (therefore the identify).
It’s greatest identified for its breathtaking views, lovely seashores, and vibrant neighborhoods which are extra prosperous than downtown together with Camps Bay, Bantry Bay, Sea Level, and Inexperienced Level. All of those are typically protected decisions for vacationers, however probably the most ultimate of all of them is V&A Waterfront.
Why? It presents 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 leap 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 need a quieter stick with seashores, cool promenade walks, and classy brunch spots. You’ll get the most effective of each worlds right here.
Downsides? It may get touristy and a bit dear, however truthfully, the comfort and vibe are price it. Right here at V&A, we stayed at Radisson RED Cape City V&A, proper in the midst of the motion. Radisson RED is the hip, trendy cousin of the Radisson household.
It’s acquired a cool, youthful vibe, with daring scarlet colours and a really Instagrammable aesthetic. Suppose big 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 arduous 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 necessary particulars of our keep.
By way of value, Radisson RED sits within the center. It’s not a funds lodge, however regardless of the comfort, it’s not too costly. Anticipate costs to skyrocket in peak season like all issues do, however in lean and shoulder months, the charges are cheap. No marvel most journey businesses like Constellation Travels select this as lodging for his or her shoppers.
If you would like quick access to Cape City’s greatest sights, good vibes, and a bit 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 rather shut —- about 50 minutes northeast– and is a favourite amongst those that need a extra stress-free, extra romantic, extra particular South African getaway. It’s a part of the Cape Winelands area and is understood for its lovely vineyards, historic structure, and college city ambiance.
Staying right here provides you entry to some unimaginable wineries, the place you may 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 all the pieces from superb eating to farm-to-table fare.
We lately acquired an invitation to remain in a single day at Lanzerac Lodge and Spa in Stellenbosch, and it hits totally different. When you’re after old-world magnificence and pure indulgence, this five-star lodge could be for you. The lodge is housed in one of many oldest wine estates within the nation, courting again to 1692! The property itself is historic, mixing Cape Dutch structure with trendy luxurious.
As we drove into the property, I couldn’t shake the sensation that I’d in some way 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 star.
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 fantastically manicured gardens and pathways.
Now, let’s discuss 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 produced from 100% Pinotage grapes. Which may not be a superb pairing in any respect, however I wished one thing fragrant to flush down the savoriness of my appetizer.
Vins, however, had crayfish cacio e pepe (ZAR 325), which used chive linguini with thermidor. It’s seafood and cheese goodness, balanced nicely 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 rather 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 nicely 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 all for wines, we had been instructed the wine-tasting room is a should for friends who wish 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 for those who’re seeking to combine up your seaside and metropolis sightseeing with wine tastings, the journey time could be a drag. But when your principal objective is to unwind and sip vino otherwise you merely wish to get away from all of it, Stellenbosch would possibly 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 totally different from one another. However in the end, all of it boils all the way down to why you’re in South Africa and the way a lot you’re prepared to spend.
- When you’re on a funds or on a backpacking journey, the Metropolis Bowl (metropolis heart) presents a variety of reasonably priced lodging choices with sturdy sense of neighborhood and in shut proximity to a variety 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 most effective place to remain. Every little thing is inside straightforward attain from right here, from purchasing spots to excursions to eating places. Even the opposite well-known neighborhoods could be simply reached while you’re staying right here.
- When you’re after an opulent avoid all of it, then select Stellenbosch. It’s additionally ultimate for individuals who are celebrating one thing particular like honeymoon or anniversary.
Every has its personal character and appeals to very totally different markets and forms of vacationers.
Tour Package deal vs DIY
Our keep in Cape City was half-DIY, half-collaboration with Constellation Travels. And I might be remiss if I didn’t inform you that it may be explored DIY-style. There are some areas the place you will need to observe additional warning and areas you will need to keep away from, however it may be executed.
That mentioned, for Filipinos like us, South Africa is a type of locations that really feel like once-in-a-lifetime, and for those who’re in Cape City to loosen up and don’t wish to consider the rest, then go forward and guide a tour package deal. 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 trouble out of planning, letting you concentrate on what actually issues: having fun with your trip.
Touring abroad can generally really feel overwhelming. When you’ve got extra funds than time, go for it. They’ll deal with your visas, flight bookings, and lodging. Plus, they provide 24/7 help, so that you’re by no means left hanging.
Get in contact with Constellation Travels by way of these contact numbers and electronic mail tackle, or go to their official web site at constellationtravels.com.ph.
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