2016 Europe, Middle East, and Africa Travel Guide - (Page 44)

SOUTH AFRICA GRENADA Cape Town Cape Town, the second most populous city in South Africa, is known for its world-renowned landmarks such as Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, Winelands, Table Mountain and Cape Point. It's also one of South Africa's top multicultural hubs, thus offering an infinite variety of culinary delights, as well as a top diving spot, and it's home to a string of beautiful beaches. Its location on the shores of Table Bay make it, in fact, one of the world's most stunning destinations. SEE: For a different side of Cape Town, visit Boulders Beach in Simon's Town, which more than 2,000 endangered African penguins call home. Guests can explore the 540-millionyear-old granite boulders, small rock pools and the little bays in close proximity to the swimming penguins. A walkway has also been built to allow visitors to tour the area and see the penguins' nesting and breeding sites. SAVOR: Cape Town is famous for its wines such as those that hail from the Durbanville Hills Wine Estate. In fact, Durbanville is considered one of the Cape's two coolest wine regions-the breezes from False Bay and Table Bay, plus the surrounding slopes, give this vineyard unique characteristics. SIGNATURE EVENT: Afrikaburn is the African take on the Burning Man, taking place over a 7-day period and featuring art, music and performances. This year the event takes place April 25-May 1. STAY: One&Only Cape Town, a chic waterfront resort, offers views of the waterfront and Table Mountain. Two Michelin-starred chefs head the resort's dining venues-Nobu Matsuhisa and Gordon Ramsay-and there's also a KidsOnly program, an infinity pool, and a spa retreat on its own private island in the center of the waterway. CRUISE: One of the busiest ports in South Africa, the Port of Cape Town welcomes the top brass in the cruise line industry, including Princess Cruises, Cunard, and MSC Cruises. FACTS BEST TIME TO GO: For game viewing, the best time to visit is July to September FUN FACT: Two Nobel Peace Prize winners, Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, had homes on the same street, Vilakazi Street, in Soweto, an urban area of Johannesburg GETTING THERE: Delta flies to Johannesburg from Atlanta and to Cape Town connecting through Amsterdam and Paris ENTRY DOCUMENTS: Valid passport; valid yellow fever certificate for visitors over 1 year of age traveling from an infected area or having been in transit through an infected area CURRENCY: South African Rand LOCAL FOODS: Pap en vleis, maize porridge and meat, with any combination of starch; and braaied, skewed meat with a side of spicy gravy, relish BEST BUYS: Wine; crocodile, lizard and ostrich shoes and purses; and amber necklaces INFORMATION PLEASE: southafrica.net Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg. Johannesburg As the second largest city in South Africa, Joburg or Jozi-as the locals refer to Johannesburg-offers visitors a diverse experience. From galleries and theater performances to nightclubs, pubs, and trendy restaurants- locals tend to be culinary connoisseurs-not to mention lots of shopping opportunities, Johannesburg is filled with options for all. SEE: The Elephant Sanctuary is home to six African elephants that guests can both ride into the mountain on a morning walk, and feed. Those interested can also sleep at the exclusive 10-bed lodge. SAVOR: An eco-adventure awaits just a little over an hour outside of Johannesburg at the Magaliesberg Mountain Range. Here, guests take a 2.5-hour canopy tour via 11 platforms that have been constructed high against the Ysterhout Kloof. The tour provides travelers the opportunity to get an up-close look at the ecology and geology of the second oldest mountain range in the world, estimated to be 2,400 million years old. SIGNATURE EVENT: Joburg's Pride Parade attracts over 35,000 people annually. The event, which takes place on the last Saturday in October, starts and ends at Zoo Lake Sports Club and features many colorful floats and festival-goers dressed in extravagant outfits. STAY: The 53-room and -suite Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa is a luxurious Leading Hotels of the World property featuring the Eighteen05 Bar, a Piano Lounge, a Cigar Lounge, the Qunu Grill, and an infinity pool, plus the Saxon Spa and Studio. 44 http://www.southafrica.net

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of 2016 Europe, Middle East, and Africa Travel Guide

Austria
Belgium
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Holland
Hungary
Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Russia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
United Kingdom
Ghana
Kenya
Morocco
Nigeria
South Africa
Senegal
Tanzania
Egypt
India
Israel
Turkey
United Arab Emirates

2016 Europe, Middle East, and Africa Travel Guide