Long Street

Cape Town is known for its many attractions, its white sand beaches and blue seas, its mountain, its winelands and much more. But it is also fast becoming recognized for its buzzing nightlife, which occurs in several entertainment districts.

Long Street, in the city center, has a variety of restaurants, clubs, where much live music is played, bars and coffee shops. While there are many clothing shops stocking the outrageous style that is synonymous with chic but creative Cape Town wear, Long Street truly comes alive at night when as much socializing is done on the pavements outside the clubs as inside them. The city center is where the trend setting creatives are found and it goes without saying that the most fashionable Cape apartments are found in this area. These Cape house apartments are often decorated with the cutting edge style of the moment.

The Waterfront is seen as an entertainment hub in its own right, where some of the most chic shops and restaurants are found and of course only the most luxurious apartments Cape Town has to offer are located here.

Camps Bay is thought of as a vibrant cosmopolitan beachfront and home to some of Cape Town’s best cocktail bars, enjoyed while the sun goes down, it is also the site of many of the trendiest apartments in Cape Town.

The typical Cape apartment found in Observatory is a renovated Victorian, with narrow hallways and a bathroom at the back. Observatory has a laid back atmosphere where much live music can be experienced after a game of pool, it is mostly frequented by students.

Rondebosche is home to the Baxter theatre, where one can watch musicals, Shakespeare or one man shows, it is also home to the University of Cape Town, so many Cape house apartments are converted and rented out to students in this area.

The wonders of Rooibos.

Rooibos, with its healing properties, was possibly one of South Africa’s best hidden secrets until 2000, when it suddenly gained popularity with the international market. In 1904, a Russian settler, Benjamin Ginsberg, a member of a famous tea family, realized the potential of this unassuming bush. Rooibos is processed today much in the same way that it was in 1904, the system has just been refined and is far more mechanized. 

Rooibos is widely known for the antioxidants it possesses, namely its health boosting polyphenols and contains aspalathin. Some studies have even shown that rooibos could possibly slow the ageing process and could even have a hand in slowing the progression of dementia. It may even prevent skin, liver and oeseophageal cancer and lower the risk of heart disease. Unfortunately, at this point in time no research has been done on humans to confirm these benefits.

Rooibos has been deemed responsible in fighting allergies as it boosts the production of cytochrome P450, which is an enzyme that helps to metabolise allergens. Japanese researchers have found that when rooibos is consumed regularly as a beverage it helps to improve levels of this enzyme in the body, thus diminishing the allergy.

It has not been tested but is widely believed that Rooibos acts as a digestive aid and anti-spasmodic, for this reason it is often used to relieve stomache cramps and colic in babies. It is also believed that it soothes skin irritations when applied directly to the affected area and boosts the immune system.

Due its low tannin content, rooibos doesn’t inhibit the absorption of iron like other teas, it is also virtually kilojoules and caffeine free and contains no colorants or preservatives.

Rooibos skin products are widely used and can be found at many Camps Bay luxury spas. Camps Bay is one of the most up market areas in Cape Town, so when guests find their Camps Bay rental is stocked with rooibos products, they can rest assured that it is a quality product. Many a rented Camps Bay house or Camps Bay villa, are stocked with luxury rooibos skincare products.

The Planetarium

If you are searching for activities to do during your stay in Cape Town over the summer, have you considered the Iziko Planitarium? The Iziko Planitarium is part of the South African Museum in Cape Town and is one of only two planateria in South Africa.

The Planitarium recreates the night sky inside its domed auditorium while guests sit back comfortably in their armchairs and are entertained and educated about the stars and planets.

The Planetarium is as cool as the five star hotels in Cape Town and offers respite from the hot city in the height of summer and offers an alternative to the outdoor activities usually experienced during your Cape Town vacations. It is also a creative option on days when it is raining or overcast and the beach or pool of your Cape Town holiday house cannot be enjoyed.

The Planetarium is situated in the city center and is therefore conveniently close to Clifton Cape Town where many Cape Town guest houses and Clifton villas are located. Entry is R20 for adults, R6 for children and R8 for pensioners and students. There are also specific children’s shows, of which adults need only pay R10. There is much parking available, including for disabled people, there is also a café, a shop and even a conference facility.

The Iziko Planetarium is located just next to the Cape Town cultural and history museum, which offers much entertainment for children in the form of permanent exhibitions such as the whale well and many temporary exhibitions.

For art lovers, the South Africa Museum is just across the way from the Iziko South African National Gallery, where much traditional as well as contemporary South Africa art is shown. During the holidays there are also many cultural and educational activities for children held here.

The beaches of Clifton

Clifton Capetown is one of the most up market and trendy area’s in the city. It is home to Millionaires Row and is known as the St Tropez of the Cape, its four fabulous beaches attract many of Cape Town’s hottest sun worshipers. While sunning yourself on its white sands, you will not be surprised to see a few yachts anchored in its turquoise bay, which is one of the many reasons it is dubbed the French Riviera of South Africa. It is no wonder that it is one of the most sought after areas for holiday house rentals Cape Town, as many of the Clifton beach accommodation are designed to take full advantage of the ocean views. Some of the most sought after holiday accommodation Cape Town is found here, so if you are looking to book accommodation in Clifton be sure to book early, especially in peak season.

Clifton is known for not one but 4 spectacular beaches, divided by large granite boulders, they are named Clifton 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd and Clifton 4^th beach. All of the beaches are safe for swimming but the Atlantic Ocean does tend to be a bit chilly, which is why many visitors opt for the second most loved beach activity, tanning, although you will find many other activities, such as volleyball and surfing.

Clifton 4^th beach has all the facilities one needs, including public toilets, changing rooms and places to buy cooldrinks and snacks, while umbrellas and deckchairs are also available to rent. Lifeguards are also on duty during peak season and on the weekends. 

The beaches of Clifton are located down a long flight of steep stairs and during summer it is difficult to find parking along the M6, it is best to either leave your Clifton accommodation early, or catch one of the shuttles that run along these coastlines.

Biodiversity in Cape Town.

Below are listed some facts about Biodiversity in Cape Town:

1.    Cape Town is one of only 3 cities in the world that ranks as an urban biodiversity hot spot.

2.    Many of the beautiful Cape villas found around Cape Town are located within the Cape Floral Kingdom, which is smallest but most diverse of the world’s 6 floral kingdoms.

3.    70% of the Cape Floral Kingdom’s plant species are found nowhere else the world, something to think about the next time you put a handful of protease in a vase to beautify your Cape villa.

4.    Cape Town is bordered by and overlaps the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve and the Cape West Coast Reserve.

5.     It is unusual for an entire national park (Table Mountain National Park) is situated within its boundaries.

6.    Cape Town has a very large number of endemic plant and animal species. This means that Cape Town is their only home in the world and therefore they attract any tourists or scientists who want to view them in their own habitat.

7.    Cape Town contains remnants of the ‘renosterveld’ vegetation which is one of the most endangered vegetation, not only in South Africa, but in the entire world.

8.    There are 190 endemic plant species.

9.    Cape Town is home to 27 amphibian species, including the Table Mountain Ghost Frog and the Cape Peninsula Moss Frog.

10.  Other species that are endemic to Cape Town are: 31 species of spiders and scorpions; 21 species of millipedes and centipedes; 17 species of beetles; 17 species of crustaceans; 12 species of earthworm’s and12 species of butterflies.

The wonderful thing about Cape Towns biodiversity is that it can be experienced from a variety of vacation spots, whether it be from one of the many ocean view houses Camps Bay has to offer or the luxury Cape Town villas for rent found in Constantia.

Cosmopolitan Cape Town

Cape Town is one of the most visited destinations in Africa, but its reputation as a cosmopolitan city that attracts visitor’s, goes back longer then you think. The Portuguese took anchor on its shores as early as the 15^th century and it was in 1652 that the Dutch became the first European settlers in Southern Africa amongst the original Khoi inhabitants.

The Dutch found the Cape to be in the perfect position between Europe and the East. Later on it was viewed as an important military base which the British fought for and won twice before the South African Union was formed in 1910.

Much of Cape Town’s current cosmopolitan lifestyle is a tribute to its history, which is often based on exploitation and oppression, which includes slavery.  Many of cape Towns poverty and social problems are a direct result of it’s colourful but troubled past.

Cape Town also boasts a thriving creative economy and retains its popularity as a tourist destination due to its natural beauty. Many of its Cape Town accommodation are designed to take full advantage of this beauty, especially the well known beach accommodation Cape Town offers along the Atlantic Seaboard.

When planning your trip to Cape Town where to stay is often first and foremost on your mind, bear in mind that the finest beach apartments Cape Town are found in Camps Bay and Clifton, where the beaches are sheltered from the south-easterly wind which blows in summer.

For those seeking more affordable accommodation Cape Town offers near the beach, look for selfcatering accommodation in Muizenberg or Fish Hoek. Both suburbs are close to the beach but are less up market than the Atlantic Seaboard selfcatering apartments. Otherwise Bloubergstrand on Cape Town’s west coast, also offers much affordable holiday houses in Cape Town near to the beach and is an excellent area for water sports.

 

Long Street

Cape Town is known for its many attractions, its white sand beaches and blue seas, its mountain, its winelands and much more. But it is also fast becoming recognized for its buzzing nightlife, which occurs in several entertainment districts.

Long Street, in the city center, has a variety of restaurants, clubs, where much live music is played, bars and coffee shops. While there are many clothing shops stocking the outrageous style that is synonymous with chic but creative Cape Town wear, Long Street truly comes alive at night when as much socializing is done on the pavements outside the clubs as inside them. The city center is where the trend setting creatives are found and it goes without saying that the most fashionable Cape apartments are found in this area. These Cape house apartments are often decorated with the cutting edge style of the moment.

The Waterfront is seen as an entertainment hub in its own right, where some of the most chic shops and restaurants are found and of course only the most luxurious apartments Cape Town has to offer are located here.

Camps Bay is thought of as a vibrant cosmopolitan beachfront and home to some of Cape Town’s best cocktail bars, enjoyed while the sun goes down, it is also the site of many of the trendiest apartments in Cape Town.

The typical Cape apartment found in Observatory is a renovated Victorian, with narrow hallways and a bathroom at the back. Observatory has a laid back atmosphere where much live music can be experienced after a game of pool, it is mostly frequented by students.

Rondebosche is home to the Baxter theatre, where one can watch musicals, Shakespeare or one man shows, it is also home to the University of Cape Town, so many Cape house apartments are converted and rented out to students in this area.