Pairing the natural beauty with a vibey and friendly culture, there are a variety of delights ranging from award winning French-style wines to Malay cuisine, fine art and architecture, a wealth of historical sights and much more on offer in Cape Town, South Africa. Airlines from all five continents service South Africa and land at the Cape Town International Airport, which has been voted the "Leading Airport in Africa" at the World Travel Awards. ATMs, bars, restaurants and currency exchange facilities are available throughout the airport, as are a number of shops.A flight from London lasts approximately 12 hours (usually overnight) and one can travel from the USA in about 15 hours. A visit to the most south-westerly point of the African Continent at Cape Point affords marvellous views and an opportunity to enjoy the natural flora at this World Heritage Site.

The sightseeing bus tour offers two itineraries viz. the so-called Red Route and the Blue Route. Discounted tickets for persons taking both tours are available and, being reasonably priced at approximately 18 Euro for both itineraries, I consider this the most hassle free method of gaining a brief overview of the most popular tourist spots. Buses run at intervals of approximately 30 minutes and each route offers a selection of 13 stops.

Tourist information centres abound and offer a range of guides, maps and details of opening hours for local attractions, including the wine estates, many of which are located within a 90 minute scenic drive from Cape Town.

Normal shopping hours are between 08h00 and 17h30, though big malls operate daily between 09h00 and 21h00. Traveler’s cheques and foreign currency are not the norm, but major credit and debit cards are widely accepted. Value Added Tax (14%) is included in all purchases and foreign visitors can reclaim the VAT on expenditures exceeding ZAR 250.00. Banking hours are from 09h00 to 15h30 weekdays and 08h30 to 11h00 on Saturdays.

South Africa operates two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time throughout the year. October till March are the most popular tourist months, but with its temperate Mediterranean climate and temperatures ranging between 8 and 25 degrees Celsius, Cape Town is a recommended destination for any time of year, certain aspects such as the indigenous flora being more seasonal. The infrastructure, numerous outdoor activities and its rich cultural heritage has led to Cape Town being described as a "must-see before I die" city. Major developments are already underway in preparation for the 2010 World Cup and a new ultra-luxurious hotel is being built at the V-A-Waterfront with canals which would connect to Century City, effectively creating a mini-Venice and providing easy access to the Canal Walk shopping mall. Whether you're an eco-tourist, culture-vulture or simply looking for adventure and a great vacation, Cape Town is sure to exceed your expectations.