Ok, so if you follow me on Twitter then you’ve probably figured this out already, but I thought I’d make the announcement official. This Friday I leave for a once in a lifetime adventure in Cape Town, South Africa.
It will be my first visit to any sub-Saharan country and I can’t wait to explore the Mother City for myself. The trip is sponsored by Cape Town Tourism and I will be joined by three other bloggers as we learn about Cape Town together:
Keith Jenkins, Velvet Escape
Melvin Boecher, TravelDudes
Nellie Huang, Wild Junket
Not only will we be exploring and highlighting the best things to do, see and eat in and around town, but we’re speaking at the Getaway Travel Blog Conference to be held on Saturday, August 4. The conference is in its second year and is the preeminent travel blogger conference in South Africa. I’ll be talking about branding and working with companies/destinations and I can’t wait to meet all of the South African bloggers in person.
My fellow bloggers and I though need your help. We have a pretty good idea of what we want to see and do in Cape Town, but we need more suggestions! Especially if you’re from Cape Town, I’d love to hear about any must-do activities or little known, hole-in-the-wall places I should visit. I’ll be taking the best suggestions and sharing them on LandLopers and across various social media platforms, so please add your tips!
Towards this goal, there will be a special Twitter event on Sunday, July 29th from 7:00 PM-8:00 PM (Cape Town Time)/1:00 PM-2:00 PM (Eastern) that we’re calling the “Welcome the Bloggers to Cape Town” Twitter Chat. This is a great chance for locals and anyone interested to say hi and share with us their recommendations for exploring Cape Town. Just be sure to follow the #LoveCapeTown hashtag and join in the fun!
We’re going to be active on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and of course our own web sites for the duration of the trip, so please be sure to look out for the #LoveCapeTown hashtag to keep up with the latest and greatest from Cape Town. I know there will be some surprises along the way, including some pretty extreme adventure travel activities (hint: Shark Week) so be sure to follow along!
What are your best tips to help me discover the real Cape Town?
South Africa is on my short list of places to visit NOW, so I’ll be following your trip for sure. ;-)
Excellent! We’re in South Africa currently, and Cape Town didn’t disappoint. If you’re a burger and milkshake lover, Royale Eatery on Long Street is a worthwhile stop.
Why yes, I am a milkshake and burger lover so thanks! I’m very excited to visit
Congrats! Not a spot that has ever appealed to me so I am very interested to see how you like it!
I hope to change your mind!
Hey Matt,
Definitely a place we want to go. My father did a two year stint there for the peace corps and said that it is hands-down the most beautiful spot on the planet.
I hope you find it to be so. We’ll be watching.
Thanks,
~Josie
Thanks Josie! I’m excited :)
The most beautiful city on the planet! Botanical Gardens a must, the vineyards are exquisite. Robbins Island and Mandela’s prison cell will haunt you.
Excellent suggestions, thank you!
Ah, my dream – to be invited / sponsored to travel the globe in search of beauty, truth, and the spirit of adventure, all so I can blog about it! I will be following your trip with excitement and just a hint of envy! http://bit.ly/Ns5Xlv
Hi Matt,
I have three must have that I suggest when visiting CT.
A trip up the mountain. You can go up Table Mountain but I’d suggest a hike up Lion’s Head rather. It is a pretty easy climb and it spirals up so you get fantastic 360 degree views.
A trip down to Cape Point. Take a fully day and meander down the peninsula. If you can, rent yourself a convertible for the day. There are a few places that rent out luxury or classic cars, so there is plenty of choice available. Start early and stop at the botanical gardens, the penguins, some sea side reastaurants and make a whole day of it.
A trip to the winelands. I’d organise a private guide or driver for this one, because spitting out all that awesome wine is a real waste. I’d head to Franschoek personally. It is smaller and more scenic than Stellenbosch.
Enjoy the trip!
Great tips Richard, thank you!
Hi,
I am a South African and lived in Cape Town for 7 years. I definitely suggest doing some wine tasting in Francshoek. Do it over lunch time so you can stop and enjoy a lunch with your wine. The Brass Bell is a seafood restaurant in Kalk Bay (www.brassbell.co.za) it’s right on the sea and the food is really good. Camps Bay is also a good place to visit. The drive down to Camps Bay is beautiful. There is so much more but I can’t think of anything right now! Unfortunately, it’s not the best time of the year it, will be pretty chilly but you will still enjoy every minute!
Thank you Frances for these lovely suggestions! They look great and I can’t wait to try them for myself.
I lived in cape town for 14yrs, and have travelled a fair bit, even returned again after 10yrs away last November. Definitely my favourite city!
I second the brass bell, also kalk bay and st James, where it is located, are quaint little towns with beautiful scenery and nice boutique shops. I suggest going for a wonder.
Also in the vicinity; Drive along Boyes drive for a great view of that part of cape town. Cape Town is all mountains and ocean so take hikes or drives and get great views.
Tokai forest is a favourite forest to wander around in/ bike/ have a braai and hang out with friends. It’s become quite infested with baboons which I’m sure you’ll enjoy, just don’t get too close they are generally feared by locals for good reason. And don’t feed them, tourists feeding them is why CT has such problems with them.
Kirstenbosch gardens are amazing, and there’s Rhodes memorial. I love the cape town museum and it’s surroundings.