Romantic boat trips
It’s hard to top a sunset cruise in the harbour. What could be more tranquil than sitting back with a glass of champagne, taking in the views of Table Mountain and the Cape Town city skyline as the sun goes down. For an even more glamorous nautical experience, try a yacht trip off the Clifton coast.

Romance for the gourmet

If you prefer to stay grounded, a sunset stroll along the promenade in Sea Point is a winner. Then amble over to Wakame to share fresh sushi and a bottle of wine.

Cape Town is a gourmet paradise, and there are plenty of restaurants perfect for a romantic dinner for two. For special anniversaries, La Colombe in Constantia is one of the finest restaurants in the world. Mint Restaurant at the Taj Hotel offers local and international fine dining fare prepared with only the freshest ingredients. For a more casual supper, have a gourmet burger at the supremely hip Royale Eatery on Long Street before dancing the night away with your beloved.

Al fresco picnics
If you prefer to take your meal outdoors, Cape Town is not short of spectacular settings. A picnic remains a classic romantic idea, and Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden is one of the world’s great picnic spots. You can buy a picnic hamper at the garden, which you can enjoy on the manicured lawns, surrounded by lush indigenous vegetation.

Positioned at the foot of Table Mountain, for many tourists this will be their first taste of the mountain’s verdant eastern slope. Cape Town’s elegant beaches are also wonderful picnic spots: Clifton at sundown is picture-perfect. Or have the novel experience of swimming with penguins at Boulders Beach.

Romance for the adventure-lover
Adventure lovers will find no shortage of things to do. Cape Town has too many hiking trails to mention, with several in Kirstenbosch alone. It is even possible to climb Table Mountain from there. Walk in Silvermine and enjoy the subtle beauty of Cape fynbos – and be rewarded with a breathtaking view of Hout Bay. For a real romantic adventure, climb Lion’s Head during a full moon.

If that sounds wastefully energetic, take a cable car up Table Mountain and take in a panoramic view of the city.

Cultural enjoyment
Visiting a wine farm is a more sedate way to enjoy Cape Town’s natural attractions. There are fine estates in the Cape Town suburb of Constantia, like Buitenverwachting and Groot Constantia (established by Simon van der Stel, it is the oldest estate in South Africa).

Cape Town has a rich heritage, and there are plenty of galleries and museums to interest more culturally inclined couples. Taking a walk through Company Gardens, in the centre of town, to the South African National Gallery must be one of the most romantic ways to enjoy fine art.

If you enjoy theatre, catch a play at one of Cape Town’s theatre venues, like the iconic Baxter or the new Athol Fugard Theatre, named in honour of South Africa’s greatest living playwright. For something edgier, try Vaudeville, fantasy a supper club where you can eat drink and be entertained – followed by a night of revelry at the adjoining Fez club.

Recuperate with breakfast (maybe even a champagne breakfast!) at one of Cape Town’s fine hotels. Try perfect pastries at Mint at the Taj Cape Town.

The Taj Cape Town is positioned in the heart of Cape Town, near the city’s natural and cultural attractions. The hotel provides a level luxury and elegance ideal for a special holiday with the one you love.

Madame Zingara combines circus skills with burlesque and vaudeville to create an unforgettably decadent night out.

One of the shows  (image courtesy of Madame Zingara)

A gourmet delight
And while the show alone might be worth the price of admission, the food is not an afterthought. Actually, with dishes like Zingara’s legendary chilli chocolate fillet on the menu, the meal is almost as dramatic as the performers on stage.  Madame Zingara also boasts extravagant cocktails and a meticulously chosen wine list.

It’s not common to find food this imaginative combined with thoroughly skilful and well-considered performances. The effect is almost overwhelming – to enter Madame Zingara’s ornate velvet tent is to travel to another world through a whirlwind of bohemian magic. And everyone is in character – even the waiters turn out to be performers. In fact, some people find interacting with their waiters the most entertaining part of their evening.

Dazzling detail
The attention to detail is striking, from the décor to the costumes, from the stage make-up to the set design. And if all that leaves you feeling too plain, you can even buy fancy dress from the Bijoux Boutique – and really be part of the action.

The menu tries to cater for everyone, with vegetarian options and consideration for special dietary requirements.

And the fun doesn’t end with dinner. The shebeen drinks area outside means that you can get up from the dinner table and party the night away.

Madame Zingara’s Love Magic Tours is in Cape Town until August. Prices vary depending on where you choose to sit, with tickets starting at R300. This includes the show and a five course meal.

Call the Madam Zingara box office to make a reservation on 021 001 3366.

The Taj Cape Town is located close to Cape Town’s varied and interesting nightlife. The well-informed staff at the Taj Cape Town are happy to keep guests up-to-date on the latest events.

The first clown in space
Cirque du Soleil was founded by a pair of street performers in Quebec in Canada nearly thirty years ago. From its humble origins, the company has grown into a global entertainment giant. One of Cirque’s founders, Guy Laliberté, is now a billionaire professional poker player and space tourist! Wearing a red clown’s nose with his space suit, Laliberté became the first ’space clown’ when he hitched a ride on a Russian rocket to the International Space Station.

One of the many acts (image courtesy of Cirque du Soleil website)

Cirque du Soleil showcases amazing individual performances, with cast members specially selected for their outstanding skill and grace. But shows like Saltimbanco are also multi-sensory extravaganzas, with state-of-the-art stage design and lighting, stunning costumes and specially composed music.

Circus skills meets high technology
Part of the appeal of Cirque du Soleil is the fusion of traditional circus skills with the latest technology and stagecraft. Among its acts, Saltimbanco features acrobats, trapeze artists, gravity-defying Chinese poles and juggling like you’ve never seen before. Not to mention Cirque du Soleil’s famous clowns, who will enchant and amuse.

The exceptional cast, selected from twenty different countries, and innovative crew create a feast for the senses. No wonder Cirque du Soleil has kept Las Vegas captivated for years.

Clowning around for a good cause
The company has a social outreach programme, Cirque du Monde, which works with underprivileged youth around the world. Cirque du Monde is active in Cape Town, where they have partnered with the Zip Zap Circus to teach circus skills to disadvantaged young people.

Cirque du Soleil’s Saltimbanco will be showing at the Grand Arena at GrandWest Casion in Cape Town from 23 to 27 March 2011. As always with a prestigious international show, it is advisable to book in advance to be sure of getting tickets. Tickets start from R272.

The Taj Cape Town is an excellent base from which to sample Cape Town’s culture and nightlife. The Taj Cape Town is conveniently situated in the heart of the city, close to many of Cape Town’s restaurants, theatres and galleries.

Celebrate in true French style in Franschhoek, South Africa’s own idyllic little corner of France.  Franschhoek is a particularly appropriate place to honour the quest for liberty, as it is where many Huguenots settled in the 17^th century after fleeing religious persecution in France.

There are plenty of activities for the whole family and you can taste fine wines, sample gourmet cheeses and even play a leisurely game of boules.

The 2010 Franschhoek Bastille Day Festival takes place over the weekend of 17 and 18 July.

In honour of Franschhoek’s Huguenot heritage, the whole town will partying: On Saturday morning there’s a parade, and the Festival will feature a craft market, musicians and plenty of activities for kids.

This year’s fun run from Drakenstein Prison (formerly Victor Verster) is especially poignant, as Victor Verster is where Nelson Mandela served his final term of imprisonment, and the event takes place on the weekend of Mandela’s birthday.

Want to completely immerse yourself in French culture? Catch a French movie at Le Quartier Français’s private screening room. Then have a go at the traditional French sport of boules.

The Food and Wine Marquee forms the heart of the festival. Here you can sample wine from Franschhoek’s superb vineyards and taste gourmet food from top local chefs.  Franschhoek is always a foodie paradise, but the town’s chefs will pull out all the stops for the Bastille Day festival, with specially created menus to mark the occasion. It is advisable to buy tickets for the Food and Wine Marquee beforehand, to avoid disappointment. Entrance is R100, and includes a tasting glass and coupons.

The Taj Cape Town is an ideal base if you want to experience the excitement of Cape Town, and the tranquillity of the Cape Winelands. Franschhoek is situated within easy driving distance of the Cape Town city centre and is ideally located for day-trippers.

The Cape Town Book Fair will be attended by some of literatures best-known names, most notably Nigerian writer, Wole Soyinka. Another prominent figure set to attend is Archbishop Desmond Tutu who will be opening proceedings.

Cape Town Book Fair 2009 (image courtesy of Cape Town Book Fair)

Now in its fifth year, the Cape Town Book Fair is introducing a Professional Day open only to exhibitors and trade visitors. To be held on 30 July, organisers will present on the spot seminars about various critical topics, including digital publishing and rights trading.

Highlights for trade visitors will be the Rights and Business Lounge where participants will be able to conduct meetings in a business-like environment, and the International Collective where exhibitors from all over the world can register single titles, shelves or panels in order to test the market.

A great event for book lovers of all ages, the Cape Town Book Fair is open to the public from the 31st July to the 2nd of August 2010, and the fair will present an exciting programme of events for readers, including a special Children’s Zone.

The cost of admission is R60 for adults, R25 for students and pensioners, while children 13 years and younger may enter free of charge.

Playing at the Baxter Theatre for five weeks from 7 June to 11 July 2010, the acclaimed production features the very best of local and international comedic talent.

While Cape Town welcomes the world for the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup™, the Vodacom Funny Festival brings a world of comedy to our shores. International performers include the brilliant UK ventriloquist, Paul Zerdin, the zany “Spanish Testosterone King” Paul Morocco from the US and the effervescent Craig Hilton from Scotland.

Freddie Mercury’s alter ego, Mario: Queen of the Circus comes to Cape Town directly from a sell-out run with La Clique in Paris, and the sought-after Paul Zerdin is one of the top artists in his field, recently earning critical acclaim from the Queen at the Royal Variety Performance in London in December.

The local line-up includes leading South African comedians Riaad Moosa, Ndumiso Lindi, Al Prodgers and master of ceremonies, the hilarious Alan Committie.

Now in its sixth year, the popular annual event is renowned for showcasing kings of comedy and has rightfully become known as the “Cape’s Winter Tonic.”

Tickets for the Vodacom Funny Festival 2010 cost R130 each, and generous discounts are offered on block bookings for ten or more tickets to the same performance.

Pedestrian zones for the duration of the event fall mainly in the city centre. These include Darling Street between Adderley Street and Buitenkant Street, together with the side roads feeding into Darling – these will be closed for the full duration of the event to facilitate the activities associated with the FIFA Fan Fest.

The exception in this zone is lower Plein Street, which will be open daily for one-way traffic in the direction of Table Mountain in the morning until 09h30, after which the road will be closed to traffic.

On match days, the following roads will be closed to the public, seven hours before the scheduled kick-off until four hours after the final whistle has been blown:

• Hertzog Boulevard
• Heerengraght and Adderley Street between Coen Steytler and Strand Street
• Hans Strijdom Avenue
• Western Boulevard up to Beach Road in Three Anchor Bay
• Sections of Waterkand Street and Riebeeck Street
• Somerset Road from Buitengraght to Ebenezer Road
• Sections of Bree Street, Long Street and Loop Street around Waterkant Street
• Beach Road from Fritz Sonnenberg Road to Granger Bay will only have one carriageway closed to traffic, with the northern carriageway accommodating two-way traffic

Road closures will mostly affect traffic leaving the CBD during the evening peak period, and people travelling to the Atlantic Seaboard are advised to rather use Kloof Nek Road when leaving the city centre.

On match days, traffic in the city is expected to be congested and it is recommended that, wherever possible, commuters adjust their routes and travel times on these days.

Open every day of the competition from 11h00 to 23h00, all 64 matches will be screened free of charge to an estimated 25 000 fans against a backdrop of Table Mountain.

Daily entertainment will include shows from local artists such as Freshly Ground, Goldfish, K’naan, Flash Republic and Prime Circle, as well as performances from African Marimba bands, local DJs and new and emerging talent.

There will be more than 100 performances at the FIFA Fan Fest over the duration of the World Cup and other attractions will include arts and crafts stalls, food and beverage refreshment stands in the Chill Zone, as well as activity zones, including five-a-side soccer pitches.

Many other festive options abound, and among these are:

• If you fancy watching the games on big screens, the CTICC will be screening all of the games in the exhibition hall. Entrance is free for the remainder of the tournament.
• Rafiki’s on Kloof Nek Road where laid-back locals will be enjoying cocktails, beer and local fare.
• Neighbourhood in Long Street offers a rustic atmosphere in one of Cape Town’s vibiest locales.
• The Twankey Seafood, Champagne and Oyster Bar situated on the corner of Wales and Adderley Streets, Cape Town is a rare find. Here flowing champagne and local wine, the freshest seafood tapas, elegant décor and sublime local music tell a glamorous story.
• Paulaner Brauhaus in the V&A Waterfront is famous for its self-brewed draught beer and great harbour views.
• Tommy’s Sports Bar, just off Long Street, offers a slick interior, the cheapest drinks in town and spacious smoking and non-smoking sections.
• Forrester’s Arms in Newlands is a renowned landmark which offers traditional pub fare and an idyllic outdoor area.

Former South African president, Nelson Mandela, was imprisoned on this island for 27 years during the apartheid era. For centuries it was a place where political prisoners were held. Today it is an icon of freedom and forgiveness. This focal point of South African history is an inspiring must-see attraction.

Aerial view of Robben Island

Guided tours
You will be transported to and from the island by ferry. The trip includes a guided tour of the infamous maximum security prison. Visitors are led through the various cell blocks, including block B, cell 46664, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned. Engage with former political prisoners at the museum for insight into their experiences on the island.

A 45 minute bus tour is included and features detailed commentary. Visitors will get to explore the museum shop, historical churches, an ancient lighthouse, Muslim shrine and Moturu Kramat pilgrimage site. The duration of the tour, including return boat trips, is 3.5 hours.

The island is rich in birdlife and wildlife. One of the top attractions on the island is the large Jackass Penguin colony. While on the ferry trip you might be lucky enough to spot dolphins, cape fur seals and southern right whales.

Tour details

• Weather permitting, ferries depart daily at 9:00, 11:00. 13:00 and 15:00
• Tours depart from the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V&A Waterfront
• Ticket Prices: R200 for adults and R100 for children

Green Market Square
Located in Cape Town’s city centre, it is one of South Africa’s longest running markets. Take a stroll along the cobbled square and find African curios, clothing and interesting knick-knacks.

Greenmarket Square

Neighbourgoods Market
This trendy market runs every Saturday from 9:00 to 14:00 at the Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock.  You will find an abundance of organic produce, gourmet treats, condiments and artisan breads. Purchase clothing, accessories and home décor items by local designers. The festive atmosphere and 100 speciality traders make this market a must-see attraction.

Hout Bay Market
Hout Bay offers two popular markets. Purchase your fresh produce at the organic market, open every Thursday morning. The bustling craft market runs every Sunday, and you will find an interesting selection of art, handmade crafts and fun-filled activities for the whole family.

Muizenberg Market
This busy market is open daily and offers a variety of goods from food to clothing and electronics. Be sure to barter with the traders and shop around for the best deals at this large marketplace.

Milnerton Market
If you are looking for collectables, antiques and unusual finds, you are sure to discover them at the Milnerton market. This market is bursting with interesting stalls and food merchants. The market is open on Saturdays and Sundays. Enjoy outdoor shopping with uninterrupted views of Table Mountain.

Bearing this in mind we’ve put together a series of educational – but certainly not boring – cigar posts.

The first of these posts covers basic cigar terminology focusing on the various parts, and names, of the physical cigar.

Terminology:

The Band: the paper ring near the head of the cigar. It often identifies the brand.
The Barrel: the main body of the cigar.
The Cap: a bit of leaf used to seal the smoking end of the cigar.
The Filler: the tobacco that makes up the inside of a cigar. Typically each cigar will hold 3-5 leaves of varied type, finely stripped.
The Foot: the end you, as the cigar smoker, light.
The Head: where the cap is located. This is the part of the cigar that you place in your mouth.
The Draw: refers to how well air is drawn through the cigar. It’s often referred to as either being smooth or not.

The Humidor: A humidity controlled unit that stores cigars. The correct storage humidity level is 70% and correct storage temperature is about 68 degrees.
Cigar Cutter: Scissor like razor to snip the cap off of a cigar.
Cigar Punch: A hole punch used to penetrate the cap.

With this terminology you’ll be able to handle even the swankiest cigar bar.

Highlights
Food and wine lovers can enjoy the Stellenbosch Wine Festival, taking place from 1 to 5 July. For a good dose of South African humour, be sure to catch the Vodacom Funny Festival from 7 June to 11 July. Theatre fans will be dazzled by the acrobatic Las Vegas show, Le Grand Cirque-Fantazie, on stage at the Artscape from 26 June to 10 July.

Music lovers can look forward to international artists performing in Cape Town during June and July, including Fat Boy Slim, Dizzy Rascal and Groove Armada.

World Cup 2010
The Cape Town Stadium is set to host 8 World Cup soccer matches. Don’t miss out on this momentous sporting event – make sure that you can say ‘I was there!’

Match schedule
11 June – Uruguay vs France

14 June – Italy vs Paraguay

18 June – England vs Algeria

21 June – Portugal vs Korea

24 June – Cameroon vs The Netherlands

29 June – Round of 16

3 July – Quarter-final

6 July – Semi-final

Fan parks
Cape Town fan park locations include the Grand Parade in the city centre, the all-weather friendly Bellville Velodrome and the Athlone Stadium. Head down to one of the fan parks to watch live match broadcasts in the company of fellow soccer enthusiasts. Enjoy the festive atmosphere, live entertainment and World Cup celebrations.

Explore the Cape Town Stadium
Tour members can expect to be overwhelmed by the architectural design, world-class facilities and sheer size of this World Cup soccer venue. Gain access to areas that are usually restricted and marvel at the 68,000-seater stadium.

Cape Town Stadium

The hour-long tours are run by stadium operators and visitors are lead through the stands, players’ changing rooms, players’ tunnel, media centre, VIP hospitality area and on-site prison cells. Access to the pitch, however, is not permitted.

There is increasing interest in stadium tours as soccer fever mounts. To avoid disappointment be sure to book your stadium preview as soon as possible, as there will be no tours from 15 May up until the end of the World Cup in July 2010.

Tour details
Stadium tours run on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays

Tours commence at 10:00, 12:00 and 14:00
Prices: R30 for adults and R15 for pensioners and children
Contact the visitor centre for bookings – 021 430 7346

One of the most visually dramatic soccer venues in South Africa, the Cape Town Stadium is dubbed ‘the diva of Cape Town’. Just 500 metres from the ocean with Table Mountain as a backdrop, the Cape Town Stadium is one of the Mother City’s top attractions.

The award-winning market features over 100 speciality traders offering a fine selection of artisan foods, organic produce, boutique wines, gourmet products and local farm produce.

A day at the market (image courtesy of The Old Biscuit Mill)

The market is situated in a sky-lit Victorian warehouse and adjoining courtyard. It is characterised by a festive atmosphere, live music and, of course, fine food and beverage purveyors.

Eat, shop and socialise
Take a seat on a hay bale or join a communal table to sample gourmet goodies, swill a glass of organic bubbly or taste home-brewed beer. Bring your vinyls along to play at the Bring and Play station, or mingle with the cheerful crowd and enjoy live music performances.

Visit the market on Saturday mornings for a unique breakfast experience. Get there early and enjoy organic coffee as you meander through the food stalls and decide on a delicious morning treat.

Do your weekly shopping for flowers, fresh produce, cheese and home-made preserves. The market encourages living organically and promotes recycling. Find out more about these eco-friendly solutions from the friendly traders.

Trend spotting
Fashion-conscious Capetonians will not be disappointed by the offering of local designs, accessories, vintage bric-a-brac, retro furniture and home décor trends at the market’s popular Designgoods division.

Kindergoods is comprised of a selection of children’s clothing, accessories, shoes and vintage toys. Ten select traders showcase their bespoke collections for the little ones.

Visit the market for an authentic Cape Town experience!

Last week we shared our best 4km route and this week we’d like to share our favourite 10km route. Once again this route is courtesy of our friends at Atlantic Athletic Club (AAC).

The Tafelberg 10km

Image courtesy of Coda.

To get to the Tafelberg 10km you need to drive to the Table Mountain cable car station and park as close, to the the station, as you can. From where you’ve parked you run towards Devil’s Peak (as you are heading out you should have your back to Lion’s Head).

The Tafelberg route is one of Cape Town’s most scenic and it consists of 5km’s out and 5km’s back . If you’re running/walking it you should head out until you get to the end of the tar. You then turn around and head back until you reach the cable car station.

The Tafelberg route undulates so this route is anything but boring!

Tips:

• Start your run/walk before sunrise and you’ll find yourself treated to the sight of Cape Town waking up
• Run the Tafelberg route during sunset and watch as it sets behind Lion’s Head.

To view a map of the Tafelberg 10km please click here.

With some help from the Atlantic Athletics Club we’ve put together three of our favourite Cape Town running/walking routes. The first one we’d like to showcase is a gentle 4km along the Sea Point Promenade (click here for a map of the route).

Image courtesy of betenoir (http://www.flickr.com/photos/trashd/215900707/)

As you can see the gentle 4km run/walk starts in the parking lot, opposite the Shell petrol station, and heads west along the Sea Point promenade. You keep going in this direction until you reach the ice cream shop (2km). At this point you turn around  and run/walk back to where you started.

We love this route because:

1. It’s always beautiful
2. You can run it safely at almost anytime of the day
3. It’s perfectly safe because there is always someone else on the route and it is well lit
4. It’s close to the Point Virgin Active gym so the run/walk can form part of a greater workout
5. If you run it in the evening it’s very likely that you’ll find yourself treated to an exceptional sunset.

The flower sellers and market have become a must-see attraction for visitors to the city. View the large assortment of flowers and enjoy the antics of the lively vendors, who will entertain you with their wisecracks and candid insights. The quirky peddlers are a true reflection of the vibrancy of South African culture.

Flower Sellers – Cape Town (image by South African Tourism – http://www.flickr.com/photos/south-african-tourism/3883028121/)

The freshest flowers at the best prices!
Select your favourite flowers or make up your own bouquets to brighten up a loved-one’s day, or simply to spoil yourself. You can be sure that you are buying the freshest flowers at the most reasonable prices. Situated between Strand and Darling Street, the Adderley Street flower market displays rows and rows of exquisite blossoms, offering Capetonians every seasonal flower variety imaginable.

Every time you visit the market you are greeted by the warm smiles and hearty humour of the flower sellers, who can be found there from 07:00 to 20:00, Monday to Saturday, come rain or shine.

Take a stroll down Cape Town’s bustling Adderley Street to view cultural landmarks, historical sites and enjoy the street life, characterised by tourists, animated vendors and a cross-section of people going about their daily duties.

The Cape Quarter lifestyle shopping mall is situated in the heart of trendy De Waterkant in Cape Town. This charming shopping hub is your one-stop destination for fashion, beauty, food, restaurants, art, curios, books, furniture and interior décor in the city.

The Cape Quarter Lifestyle Mall (image by FoxyCoxy – http://www.flickr.com/photos/28609870@N08/4291555070/)

Cape Town’s hidden shopping treasure
The new Cape Quarter boasts ample underground parking with reduced tariffs, wide-aisled shopping pleasure in natural light, and a selection of stores and restaurants in a European-style open air piazza. New shops have drawn much excitement, while old favourites, located in the original building, are still popular among shoppers and restaurant goers alike.

Several restaurants, cafés, food emporiums and a grocery store on site provide the best in local and international cuisine. As you relax and dine at one of the many eateries, you can enjoy music performances and entertainment hosted in the bustling piazza.

Cape Quarter’s stores stock fashionable clothing and accessories for men, ladies and children. In addition to these ranges you can expect to find leisurewear, eyewear, beachwear, lingerie, evening wear, haute couture and jewellery.

An array of antique and contemporary furniture showrooms feature throughout the four-storey shopping mall, complemented by a host of stylish interior décor stores. You are sure to find that signature piece or decorative gem that you have been searching for.

The new Cape Quarter extension is also home to some exciting specialist retailers. Purchase luggage, DVDs, toys, books, pet accessories, flowers and an assortment of health care products. Get involved in interactive Artjamming™ or chocolate and cookery training workshops offered at the mall.

If you are looking for a relaxed but vibrant shopping experience, visit the Cape Quarter, where diverse outlets, interesting eateries and discerning shoppers meet.
Trading hours

Monday to Saturday: 07:00 to 21:00
Sunday:  08:00 to 21:00
Restaurants and bars are open until late

There are excellent large and small galleries dotted throughout the Cape Town CBD and the surrounds. Places like Woodstock are fast becoming known for their contribution to the Cape Town art scene.

In April we’ll definitely be checking out these two exhibitions:

• Jan-Henri Booyen’s exhibition titled Tectonic (showing from the 1st of April till the 1st of May 2010 at the WHATIFTHEWORLD / GALLERY)
• The Anton Brink, Brad Gray, Anthony Scullion and Peter van Straten Threshold exhibition (showing from the 31st of March till the 15th of April 2010 at the Everard Read Gallery).

A while ago we experienced the Pink Flamingo Cinema, on top of the Grand Daddy Hotel in Long Street, and it knocked our socks off!

The Pink Flamingo, as they describe it on the Grand Daddy website, is “South Africa’s first rooftop cinema screening classic and cult movies on a weekly basis, this is a cinema with spin.”

We think the Pink Flamingo is great and the fact that it can be hired for private events is an added bonus. Any party held at the Pink Flamingo has instant street cred.

So, while we may be going into winter, it’s never to soon to start thinking about how you’d like to celebrate Spring (when it arrives)!

Recently we took a midday stroll through the Company Gardens and ended up at Mint for a light summer lunch and both were excellent. The gardens were full of people enjoying their lunch break and children on their way home from school. It was so full of life, laughter and happiness that we arrived at lunch in the best mood. No parking grumpiness or midday traffic stress.

Could you ask for a better Friday? We think not!

Hiking up Table Mountain or the smaller, but no less magnificent, Lion’s Head before work or on a Saturday morning is a fantastic way to spend a few hours. What’s more the view from the top is awe-inspiring!

If you’re interested the official Table Mountain website is excellent. They have a brilliant section on hiking etiquette and whole lot more interesting information.

At the Taj Cape Town we are so passionate about what the city of Cape Town has to offer visitors that we’ve put together a list of our Top 10 Cape Town Attractions.

View from the Table Mountain Cableway (image courtesy of Hubert January - http://www.flickr.com/photos/januarys/495247640/)

The attractions include (in no particular order):

1. The new Cape Town Stadium
2. the V&A Waterfront
3. Long Street
4. South African National Gallery
5. Robben Island Museum
6. Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
7. the District Six Museum
8. the Castle of Good Hope
9. Table Mountain Cableway
10. Cape Town Beaches.

If you have any other attraction you think we should add to our growing Cape Town Attraction list please let us know in the comments section of this post.

The Zula Sound Bar believes that because their are no age, colour or class restrictions to music there should be none of those same restrictions within the Zula Bar.

If you’re looking for an authentic slice of South Africa and Cape Town this is the place to head to.

Image courtesy of Mallix (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mallix/2232077543/)

1. The National Assembly – made up of 400 Ministers of Parliament (MP’s). These MP’s represent the interests of the various South African political parties.
2. The National Council of Provinces – here the interests of South Africa’s nine provinces are represented, attended to and generally looked after.

The South African Parliament, in Cape Town, is famous for many things including: at least one successful assassination of a president and the sitting of the first truly democratic South African Parliament led by Nelson Mandela.

The South African Parliament welcomes visitors and the tour, which we’ve experienced first hand, is excellent. Parliament, in Cape Town, is definitely worth at least one visit.

That means we’ve excelled for 107 years in the notoriously competitive hospitality industry – which is a remarkable achievement, even if we do say so ourselves.

As a brand the Taj has seen some fantastic things and lived through inventions that have forever changed the way the world works. Over the course of the 107 years we, at the Taj, have had to learn to adapt to the changes, without losing the charm and magic that makes every one of our hotels so spectacular.

At the Taj Cape Town we plan on tackling the fine art of blogging in the same manner the Taj group has always handled changed, by taking it in our stride.

We believe that blogging will allow us to share what we know makes our Cape Town city centre hotel so unique and spectacular.

Over the course of the next few weeks, months and years you can expect – through this blog – to be included in our whirlwind Cape Town adventure.

Welcome to the Taj Cape Town.