Image courtesy of Design Indaba

Cape Town’s annual celebration of design is set to prove once more that there is a better future for the Mother City, and indeed South Africa as a whole, through emerging creative talent and design.

The Design Indaba has been committed to a vision that the economic revolution in South Africa can be fuelled through creativity and the can-do spirit of the nation. It has attracted the world’s brightest talent since 1995 and has become a creative institution in its own right and one of the few global events that celebrates all the creative sectors.

Representing the very best of South African creativity, the Design Indaba Expo is a showcase of exceptional design across all disciplines.  Visitors are able to catch all-day fashion shows, short films, chat to the designers or simply browse the quintessentially South African creations on display.

The Design Indaba Expo takes place from 2-4 March 2012 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.

What one can expect on the expo floor ranges from Emerging Creatives – a Department of Arts and Culture sponsored platform for showcasing the country’s most ingenious young designers – to the Pecha Kucha which sees designers and creatives talking about their work in a 20 slide presentation where each slide is shown for only 20 seconds.

Local trendsetters and statement-makers take the stage for the fashion shows, a DSTV kids workshop will be dedicated to promoting and nurturing creativity in childhood education and, this conference being set in Cape Town, the food market will tantalize the senses with the freshest selection of quality, local foods and beverages.

Considered to be an all-in-one creative stop, recognising and celebrating local creative work, it’s no surprise that the Design Indaba expo has become a key shopping destination for local and international buyers.

With graphic design, advertising, film, music, fashion design, industrial design, architecture, craft, visual art, new media, publishing, broadcasting and the performing arts sector represented, the Design Indaba is a true celebration of the diversity and the creative spirit of the nation.

Design enthusiasts who are looking for accommodation in Cape Town during Design Indaba 2012 will be pleased to know that the Taj Cape Town is located in the city centre, within easy reach of the Cape Town International Convention Centre. The hotel is able to arrange luxury transfers for guests wishing to visit the Design Indaba.

The Taj Cape Town provides luxury accommodation in Cape Town and is situated within easy reach of many Cape Town attractions, historical sites and markets.

Image courtesy of Manuel Ebert

Professional and non-professional dancers from South Africa and around the world will be participating in the Cape Town International Ballet Competition in a dynamic week-long event that includes elimination rounds culminating in the finals and two gala events with international guest artists performing.

The biennial competition is taking place at the Artscape Theatre in Cape Town with dancers from South Africa, Singapore, China, the United Kingdom, Cuba and South Korea gathering for what is to be an exceptionally exciting event on the dance calendar.

Elimination rounds will be taking place from Tuesday 28 February to Thursday 1 March 2012 at 19h00 and the finals on Friday 2 March at 20h00 culminating in the Grand Gala Performance on Saturday 3 March at 20h00.

There will also be a second Gala performance taking place on Sunday 4 March at 15h00 due to the enormous popularity of the last Gala in 2010.

During the week of the competition, competition organisers will hold master classes and workshops for South African teachers and dancers, both professional and non-professional, from communities throughout the Western Cape and other provinces.

The Cape Town International Ballet Competition are co-operating with other international competitions such as Youth America Grand Prix, the South Korea International Dance Competition and the Royal Academy of Dance’s Geneé International Ballet Competition , as well as the celebrated National Ballet School of Cuba to further enhance the standard of the competition and to attract a higher calibre of competing dancers.

The judges for ballet competition are drawn from the cream of the international ballet world and competitors will be competing for gold, silver and bronze medals as well as substantial monetary prizes on a par with other major international ballet competitions.

This will also be the first time in the history of the biennial event that male and female participants will be judged separately in both the classical and contemporary sections.

The Taj Cape Town provides luxury accommodation in Cape Town. Complement an evening of exquisite ballet with fine dining at the hotel’s famous Bombay Brasserie restaurant.

Image courtesy of B.T. Indrelunas

The Mother City is generally regarded as the epicentre of gay culture in South Africa. Cape Town abounds with gay-popular accommodations, restaurants, and bars and annually celebrates one of the biggest and most exciting gay pride events in the Southern Hemisphere – Pride Cape Town – which takes place over 10 days in early March 2012.

The Cape Town Pride Festival is a celebration of South Africa’s wonderful diversity, and from the 2^nd till the 11th of March 2012, Cape Town will once again be uniting cultures to create awareness around issues impacting on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex communities locally and throughout Africa.

The festival comprises a variety of cultural and arts events, parties, and other gatherings and one can expect everything from film screenings and relationship workshops to pool parties and the Mr. and Mrs. Pride Cape Town pageant. Included in the list of activities are an interfaith service, a beach picnic, a book fair and discussions led by the Institute for Humanities in Africa, as well as a “pink ball,” and pride hike.

The main event though, is the Pride Parade, which takes place on the final Saturday of the festival. Typically beginning at 11 am it starts at Cape Town Stadium and continues to Beach Road, passing along Sea Point’s Main Road, and ending back at the stadium for a large celebration featuring a number of music acts and performers.

Cape Town Pride is a Non-Profit Organisation that is committed towards being inclusive and encompassing and the annual Cape Town Pride Festival is driven by passionate volunteers who freely give their time, effort and energy to the event. More information can be found on the official Cape Town pride website including entry forms for the pageant, stall applications and float registry.

The Taj Cape Town provides luxury accommodation in Cape Town and its central location makes it the perfect launch point for exploring the many pride festival activities as well as other Cape Town events. The Taj Cape Town is also a proud sponsor for Mr Gay SA.

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and Cape Town has a wealth of shops, activities and locations to inspire the best romantic ideas for this annual celebration of love.

Cape Town’s spectacular sunsets provide the perfect romantic setting to any Valentine’s Day and can be enjoyed from a host of different locations.   Sunset cruises departing from the Waterfront are firm favourites as couples can enjoy breath-taking views of Table Mountain and the Cape Town skyline as the sun goes down.

Table Mountain itself is a perfect vantage point for watching the sun set over the Atlantic from the highest point in the city. At sea level, a favourite destination on Valentine’s Day is one of the beaches at Clifton. Here, all four beaches take on an aura of romance amidst a tableau of picnic blankets and candle light. Even a sunset drive around Chapman’s Peak can set the tone for the rest of the evening.

Flowers are a must for Valentine’s Day, and the Cape Town Adderley Street flower sellers been providing exquisite and colourful freshly cut bouquets for romantics for over a hundred years. For a uniquely romantic gesture, the Chart Farm in Wynberg is about 15 minutes from Cape Town city centre and grants visitors the opportunity to hand-pick roses, fresh apples, grapes and nectarines. Perfect for adding that personal touch or filling a picnic basket!

For the perfect Valentine’s gift there is plenty of inspiration on Cape Town’s Design Route. The route features Western Cape-based designers and design studios all of whom were featured at Cape Town’s annual Design Indaba Expo. It cuts across the Cape Town City Bowl, the Southern Peninsula and the Winelands with a range of items from custom created jewellery to handcrafted apparel and even cutting edge designer plush toys.  Alternatively, a couples spa treatment could be the perfect way to start your perfect Valentine’s Day or end an evening on the town in luxurious style.

With its breathtaking scenic locations, rich design culture and relaxed atmosphere; Cape Town is a premier romantic getaway location with a range intimate romantic restaurants and luxury hotel accommodation options to create your perfect Valentine’s Day.

The Taj Cape Town provides luxury accommodation in Cape Town and is home to the Bombay Brasserie and Mint Restaurant as well as the luxurious Jiva Spa.

Image courtesy of Paul Watson

Image courtesy of graeme_newcomb

While the holidays may be over and the working week has once more becomes the norm, Cape Town locals and visiting veterans alike know that the city never loses its sense of summer play.

Indeed, in Cape Town there are always opportunities to get out, explore and do some fantastic summer activities.  The Cape Point route, for instance is great for sun, sand, sea and mountains as well as a range of activities including hiking, biking, golfing, surfing, sea kayaking and scuba diving.

Another interesting activity on the Cape Town summer calendar is Dragon Boat Racing.  An exciting team sport originating in China over 2400 years ago, Dragon Boat Racing is alive at the Cape Town Dragon Boat Racing Club. Practice sessions occur at the V&A Waterfront from Mondays to Thursdays and all dragon-boaters and new-comers are welcome to join.

For all things related to the sport of Rock Climbing, CityROCK in Observatory includes a large top rope and lead climbing area, Cape Town’s premiere Gear Shop and introductory lessons are taught numerous times every week.

With breathtaking views of Chapman’s Peak, as well as 8km of pristine beach, Noordhoek is a rural equestrian treasure. Horse riding enthusiasts can explore white sandy beaches rich with indigenous bird life as well as visit the Kakapo shipwreck from horseback.

Finally, it wouldn’t be summer without mentioning that rugby enthusiasts have plenty to look forward to as the new rugby season kicks off. The FNB Varsity Cup starts on 6 February at the UCT Sports Grounds, and there’s plenty of upcoming action at Newlands Stadium with 2012 Super Rugby, Currie Cup and International Tours.

The Taj Cape Town provides luxury accommodation in Cape Town and is centrally located in the heart of the city. Speak to any of our friendly and expert concierges about many unique Cape Town activities this summer.

Image courtesy of Herby Hönigsperger

Quintessentially festive, The Nutcracker is a fairytale ballet by Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky which has thrilled and enchanted audiences of all ages for over a hundred years. Now the international ice dance sensation – The Imperial Ice Stars – will be returning to South Africa this January with the World Premiere of their new production: The Nutcracker on Ice.

Composed between 1891 and 1892, the ballet was based on story called The Nutcracker and the Mouse King by Ernst Theodor Wilhelm Hoffmann, a German Romantic author of fantasy and horror. It tells the classic Russian tale of Maria, whose magical Christmas gift from her mysterious godfather (a nutcracker doll) is brought to life, taking her on a series of adventures with the Mouse King, the enchanted Prince, and the Sugar Plum Fairy.

Tchaikovsky created a suite for the orchestra comprised of the best music from the ballet, commonly known as The Nutcracker Suite. This collection of music was made popular in the 1940s by Walt Disney in the animated film Fantasia. Until the 1960s, it was rare for the ballet to be performed in full and all people knew of the ballet was its enchanting music.

Acclaimed Artistic Director Tony Mercer has now teamed up with multiple world champion figure skaters Evgeny Platov and Maxim Staviski to create a bevy of breathtaking high-speed leaps and throws as well as awe-inspiring acrobatics and sublime ice dancing for the new production.

A 25-strong cast of World, European and National Championship skaters are sure to astound Cape Town audiences with their dramatic performances on the frozen theatre stage. Beautiful sets by leading Australian scenic designer Eamon D’Arcy and stylish costumes from renowned Russian designer Albina Gabueva round out what is set to be a most unforgettable and visually rich experience.

The Nutcracker on Ice will be performed at the Artscape Theatre from the 19 January to 11 February 2012 and is the holiday must-see performance this summer. Tickets are available from Computicket or on the Nutcracker on Ice website.

The Taj Cape Town provides luxury accommodation in Cape Town and is within easy reach of the Artscape Theatre and many other unique Cape Town attractions. Find out more about our festive events in Cape Town this Christmas and New Year.

Images courtesy of  Cape Town Helicopters

Table Mountain, Cape Point and indeed all of the Cape Peninsula offers visitors to Cape Town many opportunities to see some of the most awe inspiring views anywhere in the world. Why not get an exciting birds-eye view of the majestic Cape Peninsula on a Cape Town helicopter tour?

From the green hilly patchwork vineyards of the Winelands to the bright beautiful beaches of the Atlantic Seaboard, a Cape Town helicopter flight gives visitors the opportunity to experience the Cape from a different angle.

Located on the V&A Waterfront, Cape Town Helicopters has been offering passengers breathtaking views of the Cape Town coastline coupled with the exhilaration of flying aboard their 4-, 5- and 7-seater helicopters since 1989.

The entry level flight – The Hopper Flight – provides a gentle taster of Cape Town from the air with views of the Cape Town Stadium, the white beaches of Clifton, Camps Bay and the majestic Twelve Apostles.

These flights around the Peninsula scale up to include Hout Bay and Chapman’s Peak; Fish Hoek and Muizenberg. Finally, a full trip from Cape Town to the Cape of Good Hope allows views of the Cape Peninsula from all angles before flying along the False Bay coast back to Cape Town.

In addition to scenic Peninsula flights, there are a range of tours available. Day trips over Sir Lowry’s Pass to Gansbaai for a shark diving experience; a flight across the bay for a Winelands lunch in Stellenbosch or Franschhoek; a safari flight to the Karoo for Big Five game viewing or even just a helicopter transfer over the Hottentots Holland mountains for some whale watching in Hermanus.

Getting a bird’s eye view of Cape Town and taking in all the sights from the sky is a profoundly moving experience and the best way to experience and discover Cape Town’s beautiful scenery and attractions.

The Taj Cape Town provides luxury accommodation in Cape Town and our friendly and expert concierges can inform you about many unique Cape Town experiences to ensure you make the most of your time in Cape Town.

Cape Town has always been the perfect family holiday destination with a range of kids activities to keep children entertained. Whether it’s a trip to the Aquarium, a ride at the Blue Train children’s theme park or a cruise on a pirate ship, there’s something for everyone in Cape Town.

Blue Train Ride

The Blue Train at Mouille Point has brought a great deal of joy and fun to the children of Cape Town for a number of generations and has been an icon on the Mouille Point Promenade for 50 years.

It is Cape Town’s only miniature train. With a view of the sea, passing ships and Robben Island, the train is a fun activity for kids and a great overall place for imaginative play.

Proceeds from the train and park generate funds for the Rotary Club of Sea Point Projects making it not only good fun, but a good cause too.

The upgraded safe park is also a good spot for spending quality family time as children enjoy themselves playing on a climbing rock, the jungle gym or ride on a tricycle track.

Two Oceans Aquarium

The Cape Town Two Oceans Aquarium at the Waterfront makes the most of the city’s location at the meeting point of both the Atlantic and Indian oceans.

It is one of Cape Town’s top tourist attractions with over 3,000 living sea animals including sharks, fishes, turtles and penguins. The Aquarium represents the incredible diversity of marine life found in the warmer Indian Ocean and the colder Atlantic marine ecosystems.

A key player in raising environmental awareness through its high-quality exhibits, conservation and education programmes, the Aquarium is child-friendly with a number of interactive exhibits and shows available throughout the day.

Jolly Roger Pirate Boat

A novel sea-going experience far flung from the Caribbean, the fearsome Jolly Roger Pirate Boat moored in the V & A Waterfront provides the opportunity to take a trip out to sea on an authentic looking pirate boat.

A number of fun-filled packages are available with tons of activities for kids including a pirate show, treasure hunt, face-painting and other exciting games including the dreaded ‘Walk the Plank’.

The Taj Cape Town provides luxury accommodation in Cape Town next door to the famous Mandela Rhodes Place which will be hosting a Kids Holiday Club with many more exciting kids activities and excursions this festive season.

Images courtesy of Jolly Roger and Sea Point Rotary

Image courtesy of tpower1978

Each summer Kenilworth Racecourse in Cape Town plays host to a bevy of prestigious horseracing events which draw South Africa’s elite to a day of glamorous fun, exhilarating races and fashionable excess.

January is indeed the social highlight on the Cape Town racing calendar. In 2012, the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate will be on the 7th and the J&B Met on the 28^th of January.

The L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate

The L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate is over 1,600m and a weight-for-age contest, whose minimum of nine races on the day, is in line with the world’s most prestigious Grade 1 events.

The race has continued every year since the inaugural Queen’s Plate in 1861 whose winner received a silver plate and 500 sovereigns donated by Queen Victoria. This year, the winning prize money of R1,000,000.00 along with the highly esteemed trophy, has many horse racing professionals and aficionados chomping at the bit.

Other attractions at the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate include a display of winemaking skills from Antonij Rupert Wines; Franschhoek Motor Museum’s collection of vintage cars; and, of course, a gallery of the best photos taken in the L’Ormarins Moments Competition.

The J&B Met

The J&B Met is considered one of South Africa’s biggest summer racing, fashion and entertainment events with an expected crowd of at least 50,000 and a R2,000,000.00 prize.

“The Met” is considered by many to be Africa’s hottest horseracing event, and it represents the largest sponsorship undertaken by J&B anywhere in the world. This generous sponsorship promisessomething bigger and better with each passing year.

16 of South Africa’s top horses will be competing for the prize over 2,000 meters for the Grade 1 event.

Visitors to the J&B this January can expect something truly different as many thousands attempt to challenge the status quo and break the rules of fashion with the 2012 J&B Met theme of ‘Made Different’.

The running of the 151st Queen’s Plate, will take place at Kenilworth Race Course in Cape Town on the 7th of January 2012, with the running of the 35th J&B Met on 28th January 2012.

The Taj Cape Town provides luxury accommodation in Cape Town and will provide transport in one of the hotel’s luxury vehicle for any guest wishing to attend the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate or the J&B Met, as well as any other Cape Town events.

Image courtesy of derekkeats

It’s been a great year for the Taj Cape Town and a fantastic year for the Mother City and with 2012 rapidly approaching; Capetonians and indeed South Africa as a whole have more to celebrate than ever.

It’s with this in mind that the Taj Cape Town has put together a range of New Year’s Eve celebrations for those wanting to experience an extra special evening as we bid 2011 farewell.

Bombay Brasserie

New Year’s Eve promises to be a celebration of the senses as the Bombay Brasserie bids farewell to 2011 with an extravagant seven-course tasting menu of the finest Indian cuisine. Methode Cap Classique at Midnight is included and guests will also be granted complimentary access to The Twankey Bar ‘One World’ New Years Eve party.

Mint Restaurant

Mint guests will be treated to the smooth sounds of the Tones of Note Jazz Quartet on New Year’s Eve while enjoying an extravagant New Year’s eve buffet and complimentary glass of Cap Classique. Assorted roasts, mouth-watering seafood and irresistible puddings will delight the taste buds and Mint Guests will also be granted complimentary access to The Twankey Bar ‘One World’ NYE party.

Relax and unwind on New Year’s Day with jazz melodies and a traditional brunch including Chef’s Sunday Roast and Pudding buffet.

Twankey Bar

Twankey Bar will once again be hosting its ‘One World’ New Year’s Eve Party as we celebrate the diverse mix of cultures around the world. Guests can represent their own culture or adopt one for the night.  Prizes will be awarded for the ‘best-dressed’, ‘most creative costume’ and more, with luxurious stays, extravagant dinners and many exciting sponsored prizes up for grabs.

Send off 2011 in style at what promised to be one of the most elegant events in Cape Town.

The Taj Cape Town provides luxury accommodation in Cape Town and has a range New Years Eve celebration options including intimate luxury dining, relaxed family dinners and chic stylish parties to kick start 2012 with a bang.

Image courtesy of jimw

Christmas is a time for giving, a time to reflect on whether you have been naughty or nice over the last year and a time for joyous celebration. It’s a time for family, for friends and for loved ones to get together in the unifying spirit of global cheer.

It’s our second Christmas in the heart of Cape Town and we have put together a range of festive season celebrations for all those looking to get a little more out of the giving season.

Bombay Brasserie

The ultimate in festive sophistication, the Bombay Brasserie will be treating guests to the finest in speciality Indian cuisine on Christmas Eve with a festive five-course tasting menu.

Christmas Day can be celebrated with a fabulous Christmas feast with complimentary festive cocktail on arrival. A visit from Santa is expected with gifts for the children. This family-style platter-to-plate luncheon is accompanied by the seductive strumming of a background guitar.

Mint Restaurant

Mint Restaurant will be offering an a la carte menu featuring Christmas specials for young and old as it invites guests to celebrate Christmas Eve with a stylish get-together in elegantly casual surroundings.  Christmas Carols, Eggnog and piano entertainment round out the evening.

A jazz duo will set just the right tone at our famous festive buffet on Christmas Day. A complimentary festive cocktail is provided on arrival and the younger guests will be delighted by a  visit from Santa.

For some fabulous family fun, join us on the Day of Goodwill at Mint, where in addition to the a la carte menu and a chocolate fountain, guests will be entertained by the  Amy Biehl Marimba Band. For the young ones, a special kiddies menu and a supervised gingerbread men and gelato decorating play area will be provided.

We eagerly await one and all to join us this Christmas season at the Taj Cape Town as we celebrate another joyous year in the heart of the Mother City.

The Taj Cape Town provides luxury accommodation in Cape Town and has a range of celebrations to suit your style this festive season as well as private venues and luxury catering to offer friends, fans and guests the ultimate luxury of the Taj Cape Town experience.

Image courtesy of RichardAtUCT

Cape Town is a culturally rich city filled with a wealth of attractions.  There are many ways to explore the city, from the ease of taking a lunchtime walk out of our front doors into the historic city centre to the extravagance of being chauffeured in a luxury car. For a novel, relaxed and social experience and your very own tour guide, there are also big red sightseeing buses.

City Sightseeing Cape Town have been taking local and international visitors on a journey to explore Cape Town’s heritage and many spectacular sights aboard its double decker open top red tour buses since 2002. Often referred to as the ‘Hop on and Hop Off’ the distinctive red bus is a convenient way to explore the Mother City and discover her many attractions on a casual day out with the family.

Their upgraded fleet of new buses operate on two different routes. The ‘historical and rich in culture’ Red City Tour of Cape Town which stops at 17 attractions including Table Mountain, The Castle, District Six, Camps Bay and the V&A Waterfront. Those purchasing a two day ticket can also enjoy a canal cruise with 5 hop-on-hop-off jetty points and a chance to see the V&A Waterfront from a new perspective.

The Blue Mini Peninsula Tour is a scenic drive around the Cape Peninsula that stops at 13 Cape Town attractions including Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, a Township Visit and a free Constantia Wine Tour.  The wine tour of two Constantia Valley wine estates – Groot Constantia and Eagles’ Nest – includes wine tastings and cellar tours.

The iconic red buses stop every 15 minutes throughout the day at all Cape Town attractions and allow visitors to explore the Mother City at their own pace. Tickets can be bought on the bus, at their ticket office or even online.

The Taj Cape Town provides luxury accommodation in Cape Town within the historic heart of the Mother City and just a stone’s throw away from many Cape Town Museums and unique Cape Town attractions.

Images courtesy of Heart of Cape Town Museum

The Company Gardens, St Georges Cathedral and surrounding museums and cultural centres just opposite the Taj Cape Town have always been considered the historic heart of Cape Town. This December though, marks the 44^th Anniversary of another historic heart, not only for Cape Town, but for South Africa and indeed the world.

A team led by Professor Christiaan Barnard performed an operation in the Charles Saint Theatre of Cape Town’s Groote Schuur Hospital in Observatory on 3 December 1967. It would be marked as one of the greatest moments in medical history and a surgical feat that would herald a new era in medicine – the world’s first heart transplant.

The years of research, experimentation, failure and eventual breakthroughs and the milestones achieved in closed and open heart surgery are now exhibited in the Heart of Cape Town Museum. The museum itself is made of individual display screens where all involved in this medical breakthrough are commemorated.

Modelled mannequins of the original medical team in the original operating theatres have been recreated in detail to offer visitors a fully authentic representation of the pioneering operation.  It took over five years to track down the exact furniture and equipment for the R4,000,000 investment museum,  but today visitors can be amazed as they look out onto a life-size silicone model of Dr. Christiaan Barnard in his own suit sitting at his original desk in his perfectly reconstructed office.

Shows start at 09h00, 11h00, 13h00 and 15h00 daily, costing R176 for international visitors and R88 for South African citizens.

The Taj Cape Town provides luxury accommodation in Cape Town within the historic heart of the Mother City and just a stone’s throw away from many Cape Town Museums and unique Cape Town attractions.

Images courtesy of FreeWorldDesignCentre

The beautifully artistic and design-centric facets in the jewel that is Mother City can be explored further this festive season as the third Designer-Maker Christmas market takes place this December.

The Taj Cape Town is eagerly looking forward to our second Christmas in Cape Town and as the end of the year approaches we can’t help but feel proud of what the Mother City has achieved in 2011.  Topping shortlisted contenders Dublin and Bilbao, as well as over 50 other cities that took part, Cape Town has been named the World Design Capital in 2014. It is in this spirit of design that we take a look at one of the many city initiatives that made it all possible and maybe get some shopping in as well.

The market itself forms part of Walk Cape Town, a post-World Cup initiative aiming to re-energise the Fan Walk to enhance the cultural life of the city. The Freeworld Design Centre jointly hosts the festive market and the designer exhibitors themselves are all hand-picked by Freeworld Design Centre Head and former curator and manager of the Design Indaba Expo, Lauren Shantall.

The historic Evangelical Lutheran Church, the oldest operating church in Cape Town, will also be having its popular annual Carols by Candlelight service, a non-denominational event that welcomes all faiths and takes place within the church itself on the evening of 14 December. It marks the official opening of the market and visitors will be able to enter the church from the courtyard to attend the carols.

There is no cost to attend either the market or the carols and visitors can expect to see exquisite handmade goodies from over 40 local designer exhibitors. The market will also have live music, tours of the Evangelical Lutheran Church Clock Tower and a host of delicious food offerings.

The Designer-Maker Market will be taking place from 14-16 December at the Freeworld Design Centre courtyard at 71 Waterkant Street, along Cape Town’s Fan Walk.

The Taj Cape Town provides luxury accommodation in the heart of Cape Town and will happily arrange transport for guests wishing to attend the Designer-Maker Christmas market as well as many other unique Cape Town attractions.

Image courtesy of Cape Town Opera

South African author Alan Paton’s phenomenal novel, ‘Cry, the Beloved Country’ has enjoyed critical success worldwide since its first publication selling over 15 million copies during his life time,  inspiring two cinema adaptations and one Broadway play.

Shortly after its first publication, the incredibly moving tale of Stephen Kumalo, a black Anglican priest from a rural Natal, searching for his son Absalom in the city of Johannesburg , inspired composer Kurt Weill and Maxwell Anderson to collaborate in producing a musical based on the book.  ’Lost in the Stars’ was warmly received when it first premiered on Broadway in 1949 and enjoyed 281 performances during its first run.

A new heartfelt production of ‘Lost in the Stars’, designed by Michael Mitchell and choreographed by Sbo Ndaba, will see the South African debut of acclaimed American director and playwright Tazewell Thompson as the musical is given new life in the country that inspired it.

With a host of outstanding South African singers, in a production conceived around the Cape Town Opera ensemble, Kurt Weill’s ‘Lost in the Stars’ is the must-see musical of the year and a powerful end to what has been an amazing 2011 season for Cape Town Opera.

Weill’s ‘Lost in the Stars’ will be opening at the Artscape Theatre from 24-27 November 2011 and tickets are available through Computicket.

For the literary aficionados or fans of the book itself, copies of Alan Paton’s Selected Letters (published by the Van Riebeeck Society) will be on sale at all ‘Lost in the Stars’ performances and contains within it a large amount of information about both the book and the musical.

The Taj Cape Town provides luxury accommodation in the heart of the Mother City and is close to the Artscape Opera House and many other unique Cape Town attractions.

Image courtesy of warrenski

Kirstenbosch Gardens is the place to be when kicking off the festive season. Not only a fantastic way to spend an afternoon in Cape Town, but a truly festive Mother City musical experience when locals and tourists alike put down their blankets and unpack their picnic baskets.

Every Sunday, running from November to April, the Old Mutual Summer Sunset Concerts take place at the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens featuring some of the hottest South African acts in the industry. Everything from jazz, R&B, hip hop, folk, rock to big band swing can be enjoyed by audiences of all ages and tastes during the concert period.

The location itself allows concert goers picnicking on the soft grass banks that slope downwards towards the stage to experience a warm, friendly and relaxed atmosphere. The open-air amphitheatre, amidst the gardens, is breathtaking and one can lie back and enjoy a combination of exquisite beauty and great music. This is definitely an experience for friends and family to enjoy.

The Old Mutual Summer Sunset Concerts take place at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden on Sundays from 17h00 – 19h00. Gates open at 16h00 and tickets can be booked on the Webtickets site.

Traditional Christmas Carols to the accompaniment of the Cape Town Concert Brass and the Cape Town Male Voice Choir will also be taking place from 13-16 December 2011 in the Kirstenbosch Gardens. The event is a fundraiser for many needy charities across the city, and what better way to get into the Christmas spirit than giving for a good cause and listening to an amazing Christmas carol concert.

The Cape Town Male Voice Choir aims to bring the joy of choral music to audiences and cover a selection of classical, popular, sacred and traditional music styles. The Cape Town Concert Brass is a collection of amateur musicians who have formed a traditional English Brass Band arrangement.

The Taj Cape Town provides luxury accommodation in the heart of the mother city and a variety of Cape Town attractions and activities are easily accessible from our central location.

The Taj Cape town is pleased announce the sixth and final event in our wine tasting series which affords wine lovers and viticulture aficionados the opportunity to taste some of the country’s best wines and meet the people who created them. The Wine Tasting and Dinner pairing event is scheduled for 24 November 2011 and includes wines from Raats, Warwick, Doolhof, Groote Post and La Vierge.

Raats Family Wines’ mission is to consistently produce Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc of outstanding quality from South Africa and to establish these wines as international benchmarks. Specialists in the crafting these two varieties and passionate about producing wines they believe are truly distinct, Raats have earned an international reputation.

Warwick Estate is a family-owned and run winery. A high quality boutique operation which has been lauded globally for excellence and consistency, Warwick Estate also implements an environment friendly approach to produce top quality grapes.

Named after the Labyrinth in Greek mythology due to the many hills and vales seen by the first settlers of the estate, Doolhof is known for its modern facilities, quality grape production and modern viticultural methods. Its labyrinth-like topography is put to use in the placement of their vineyards, where the many micro-climates and terroirs can be taken advantage of to produce award winning wines.

Groote Post wines are produced to reflect the uniqueness of their vineyards. Vineyard plantings on the south-facing upper slopes of the Kapokberg in the Darling Hills overlooking the icy Atlantic Ocean allow for cool climatic conditions yielding the superlative fruit for their world-class wines. The estate itself is an 18^th century historical farmstead.

La Vierge, French for “The Virgin”, are producers of premium quality pinot noir. Nestled in the folds of the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley close to Hermanus, their vineyards are characterized by long cool summers influenced by the close proximity of the Atlantic Ocean. The La Vierge Collection of individually styled wines reflects the unspoilt beauty and provenance of their virgin terroir in their Garden of Eden themed branding.

Guests can attend the afternoon wine tasting or join winemakers for a four-course dinner, or do both. And if you’d like to spend the night at the luxury Taj Cape Town, we are offering a special bed-and-breakfast rate. Contact the Taj Cape Town for more details at restaurants.capetown@tajhotels.com, or call us on +27 (0)21 819 2000.

The Taj Cape Town provides luxury accommodation in Cape Town. The Taj is home to fine Cape Town restaurants, including the Bombay Brasserie, which serves some of the finest Indian cuisine in South Africa, paired with expertly chosen South African Wines.

Image courtesy of Cape Town Opera

Die Entführung aus dem Serail, which translates as: The Abduction from the Seraglio, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s three act opera of hero Belmonte’s attempt to rescue his beloved Konstanze from the Seraglio – a sequestered living quarters used by wives and concubines – of the Pasha(Lord) Selim with his servant Pedrillo.

The opera itself is a singspiel or “song-play”, a genre of opera which incorporates spoken dialogue alternating with ensembles, songs, ballads, and arias. Sponsored by the Nationalsingspiel company in 1778, Die Entführung aus dem Serail, was the pet project of Austrian Emperor Joseph II who set up the company to perform operas in the German language that would rival the popular Italian operas in Vienna.

The opera was a huge success and was repeatedly performed in Vienna during Mozart’s lifetime, and throughout German-speaking Europe.

Now the outstanding young talents of the UCT Opera School and CTO Voice of the Nation Studio will be performing this charming and seductive Singspiel rescue caper. A madcap, high-seas reimagining of the plot, set on a pirates’ galleon, with a Pasha Selim (who is reported to make Jack Sparrow tremble) should make this production of one of Mozart’s less frequently encountered comic masterpieces as fresh an experience for both newcomers and opera aficionados alike.

Die Entführung aus dem Serail is directed by Christine Crouse with designs by Tina Driedijk and the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra will be led by the head of the UCT Opera School, Kamal Khan.

The Cape Town Opera production of Die Entführung aus dem Serail will be taking place from 06 – 12 November 2011 at the Artscape opera house and tickets are available from Computicket.

The Taj Cape Town provides luxury accommodation in the heart of the mother city and is close to the Artscape Opera House and many other unique Cape Town attractions.

Image courtesy of Dean Pemberton

Cape Town skies are once again about to explode with the dazzling brilliance of colourful fireworks as the annual Guy Fawkes Day celebration swings round.

Perhaps one of the best nights of the year to see the mother city alight with the multicoloured glow of fireworks and festiveness, the 5th of November is only comparable to New Years Eve in its awe inspiring displays of pyrotechnic extravagance.

Marked by fireworks, and sometimes bonfires, around the world; Guy Fawkes Night is an annual celebration commemorating the failure of the British Gunpowder Plot of  1605, in which Catholic conspirators, including Guy Fawkes, tried to blow up the British Houses of Parliament in London.

The Gunpowder Plot itself was an attempt to assassinate the Protestant King James I of England and replace him with a Catholic head of state. The observance of November 5^th which eventually became Guy Fawkes Day was due to, then Parliament member, Edward Montagu who suggested that “the king’s apparent deliverance by divine intervention deserved some measure of official recognition.”

The House of Lords, James’s Council meanwhile allowed public celebrations of the king’s survival with bonfires, often lit with an effigy of Fawkes himself,  so long as they were “without any danger or disorder” which is as important to the Guy Fawkes celebration of today as it was in 1605.

It is with this celebratory safety in mind that the City of Cape Town dedicates special areas where fireworks can be let off on Guy Fawkes Day. Those who want to witness the displays of fireworks or even set some off themselves are able to do so at one of the safe sites.

The Taj Cape Town provides luxury accommodation in Cape Town with magnificent views of the mother city.  Ask our friendly concierges for some of the best views of the city skyline and organise transport there in one of our luxury vehicles.

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The FNB Whisky Live Festival, which runs from 2 to 4 November 2011 in Cape Town, is set to take both whisky aficionados and new whisky drinkers on a merry romp through the  origins, flavours and history of this alluring drink.

The Whisky Live Festival has already become the largest, liveliest and most entertaining whisky lifestyle show of its kind and there is no denying this international trend for whisky festivals as similar events are being held in London, Paris, New York, Belgium and Tokyo.

The festival promises to be as informative as it is entertaining this year, with the industry sending its distillers, master blenders and global brand ambassadors to present the whisky tasting workshops and give consumers a chance to meet the faces behind the brands.

Featuring more than 180 top brands, whisky education remains a key focus, giving festival goers an unmatched opportunity to discover the magic that goes into whisky making.

Festival visitors have 15 one hour whisky tasting workshops from which to choose. Hosted by international master distillers, global brand ambassadors, and whisky experts, they are a chance to taste whiskies not available in the main tasting hail or possibly South Africa. These lectures will run during the festival and be held in meeting rooms that hold 60 people.

The annual FNB Whisky Live Festival returns for its ninth year to The Cape Town International Convention Centre with a variety of ticket options available for purchase via the website. Tickets are expected to sell out quickly and organisers have suggested booking early to avoid disappointment.

So whether you’re a novice to the world of whisky, or a long time whisky connoisseur with the most discerning of palates, the 2011 FNB Whisky Live festival will offer something for everyone.

The Taj Cape Town provides luxury accommodation in Cape Town that you can enjoy the festival and stay safe. We arrange complimentary pick-up and drop-off to our guests who attend the festival. For those wanting to enjoy a cigar and whisky prior to the event, be sure to stop by our cigar lounge in the lobby.

Image courtesy of Alaskan Dude

The 6th International Oriental Dance festival will be taking place in Cape from the 27th – 30th October 2011, where Cape Town belly dancers attempt to break a Guinness World Record.

The belly dancers will attempt to break a Guinness World Record for “Most people belly dancing simultaneously” which currently stands at 826 dancers and aims to put South African belly dancing on the world map.

The International Oriental Dance Festival in Cape Town is the largest event of its kind in Southern Africa. Hosted at the V&A Waterfront and will have visitors entranced with its multitude of flexible, curvaceous dancers and their striking attire.

With performers coming from Germany, France, Namibia, Czech Republic, Malaysia, England and from all over South Africa, 35 international and local belly dancing schools and studios are expected to tease Cape Town audiences

Wiggle and giggle aside, the whole event is organized by Ajsa Samia together with the Oriental Dance Theatre Palace of the Winds, a registered non-profit organisation, and is more importantly a charity event in aid of Saartjie Baartman Centre for abused  Women and Children in Athlone.

The Opening Gala Evening takes place on the 27th where, guests can enjoy performances by professional International and South African Oriental Dancers. On Friday the 28th,there will be a workshop day where one can learn from world’s best oriental dance teachers and performers.

The main event will be taking place over the weekend though when hundreds of belly dancers at all dance levels, from beginner’s to master, from all over the world will be performing between 10am and 6pm on both the 29th and 30th of October.

The Taj Cape Town provides its guests with complimentary transport to attractions within close proximity to the Hotel. It is close to the V&A Waterfront and many other unique Cape Town attractions.

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Cape Town craft markets are the perfect place for those looking for that fond memento or perfect gift. Often an experience all their own, the variety and uniqueness of the many craft markets to be found can still amaze and delight.

Green Market Square in the Cape Town city centre is one of Cape Town’s oldest and most popular markets. A wide variety of African curios, clothing, candles and speciality stands can be found amidst this cobbled stone square surrounded by restaurants and cafes.

The market itself has a rich history, dating back to when ships passing the Cape would use the area for trading their goods and stocking up on produce before they continued along on their voyages. It is known for   always buzzing with people and traders of all kinds as well as entertainment such as drummers and dancers lend a great atmosphere and sense of character to the market.

Approximately 190 crafters can be found at the Kirstenbosch Craft Market selling various hand crafted goods and offering a large variety of refreshments. There is also a Visitors’ Centre Shop that sells a wide range of gifts and curios, clothing and homeware and is open every day of the year from 9h00 – 18h00 in winter and 19h00 in summer.

Proceeds from stall rentals go to the Development Fund for Kirstenbosch Gardens which are perfect for a post shop picnic. The markets leading up to Christmas are often the best, with the crafters making an extra special effort to sell their best wares.

The Sunday Hout Bay Craft Market has a wide variety of African curious, pottery, wire crafts, Ostrich eggs wooden sculptures and even pony rides. The market takes place on the village green in the main street, in a mountainous amphitheatre and has been running for more than a decade. It is widely rated as one of the best in the Cape and attracts crafters from far and wide who exhibit a vast variety of wares.

Situated in one of the most picturesque suburbs of Cape Town, it’s not the largest market you will come across in the mother city, but with a host of other activities to do in Hout Bay and the scenic Chapman’s Peak Drive to explore, it is well worth the visit.

The vast variety of Cape Town craft markets is a virtual treasure trove of unique and interesting finds, exceptional craftsmanship and the rich, fun atmosphere that is the hallmark of the mother city’s multicultural and international lifestyle.

The Taj Cape Town provides luxury accommodation in the heart of the mother city and can arrange transport to the many craft markets nearby as well as other unique Cape Town attractions.

Craft markets have long been a part of Cape Town culture, each offering a little piece of the mother city lifestyle and the diverse cultures that have made Cape Town their home. All uniquely different, Cape Town craft markets are the perfect places to find that special memento or thoughtful gift.

The Green Point Flea Market, held every Sunday in the car park outside the Green Point stadium, is one of the largest markets in Cape Town. The Sunday morning market at the Green Point Common is well worth a visit. Gift examples of traditional African art pieces, curios, books and CD’s are amongst the finds. A true craft market experience along with live entertainment performed by various street artists has made the Green Point Flea Market a firm favourite for tourists for years.

Those looking for good food should visit the Neighbourhood Goods Market in Woodstock. Gourmet organic fare is to be expected alongside some truly amazing products. The market is located in a complex of buildings known as The Old Biscuit Mill, which also houses a mix of galleries and decor shops. The market features over 100 specialty traders every Saturday, creating a weekly platform for local farmers, fine-food purveyors, organic merchants, bakers and distributors, grocers, mongers, butchers, artisan producers, celebrated local chefs, and micro enterprises.

The long-standing Holistic Lifestyle Fair in Observatory is one of Cape Town’s most interesting and oldest markets. Taking place on the first Sunday of every month, The Holistic Fair is the place to go for everything New-Age. Here, over 160 colourful and creative traders showcase their lifestyle goods and services indoors and outdoors. Organic and exotic food, funky clothing, trendy décor and everything from a therapeutic massage to chakra-cleansing and life readings, can be found at the fair.

Cape Town offers literally dozens of smaller craft markets and local fairs catering to the diverse melting pot of cultures and lifestyles that make up the mother city and offering unique and interesting alternatives to mainstream shopping.

The Taj Cape Town provides luxury accommodation in the heart of the mother city. Ask our friendly concierges for more information on nearby craft markets and other unique Cape Town attractions.

Images courtesy of coda

The Chapman’s Peak Drive on the western side of the Cape Peninsula is a spectacular stretch of road that whose flank falls sharply for hundreds of metres into the Atlantic Ocean.

The road hugs the near-vertical face of the mountain from Hout Bay to Noordhoek and is much loved for the magnificent ocean views to be found along this drive.

Affectionately known as “Chappies”, this road is a virtual paradise for motorists, sightseers, picnickers, runners, hikers and bikers, as well as being a photographers dream with its sheer drops to the sea below and towering mountains above.

The numerous parking bays and picnic spots along the road and on the slopes, and the beautiful Cape Town scenery amidst its seemingly endless twists and turns have locals and visitors alike returning again and again. The Chapman’s Peak Drive also offers great hiking experiences up the peak, through the Silvermine Nature Reserve and Cape Peninsula National Park.

Excavated from the face of the mountain between 1915 and 1922, the road was at the time regarded as a major feat of engineering. It was reopened after being re-engineered to protect motorists when a fatal rock fall closed the road in the 1990s.

The upgrading of Chapman’s Peak Drive also won international acclaim as one of the most innovative road engineering projects, beating another eight international projects to win the 2004 civil engineering award for road design.

The 9km route, with its 114 curves along the rocky coastline of Chapman’s Peak and its high southerly extension of Constantia Berg offers stunning 180° views and taking a leisurely drive to admire the scenery or sitting down for a relaxing picnic has been a Cape Town favourite for decades.

The Taj Cape Town provides luxury accommodation in Cape Town and whose friendly and expert concierges can inform you about many uniquely Cape Town experiences.

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Verdi’s shockingly realistic contemporary tragedy about a courtesan dying from tuberculosis was considered scandalous in Venice at the time as audiences were unprepared for and shocked by the realism of an opera in modern dress.

La Traviata has become the second most frequently performed opera in the world, becoming a prime example of the emotive power of 19th century opera , nearly 150 years after its controversial premiere Cape Town Opera will be performing a production of this much loved opera for Cape Town audiences.

The title La Traviata means literally “The Fallen Woman”, or figuratively, “The Woman Who Goes Astray”. It was originally entitled Violetta, after the main character. The opera itself is based on La dame aux Camélias (1852), a play adapted from the novel by Alexandre Dumas, son of the more famous Alexandre Dumas, who wrote the Three Musketeers and Count of Monte Cristo.

Cape Town Opera will be updating the setting for La Traviata, placing the opera in the Paris of the 1920’s rather than the eighteen-hundreds. Acclaimed South African-born director Alessandro Talevi felt that 1920s Paris was the best setting in which to bring this opera to life with the artists of Cape Town Opera, drawing on several elements from the period including the jazz craze, the atmosphere of creative freedom, and the disillusionment of the youth  in Europe after World War One.

The Cape Town Opera production of La Traviata will be taking place from 11 -22 October 2011 at the Artscape opera house and tickets are available from Computicket.

The Taj Cape Town provides luxury accommodation in the heart of the mother city and is close to the Artscape Opera House and many other unique Cape Town attractions.

The super popular half-marathon that winds its way through the heart of Cape Town, this year’s OUTsurance 94.5 Kfm Gun Run will have a new start and finish with participants lining up outside the Cape Town Stadium.

The 2011 Gun Run takes place on Sunday 9 October, starting in Fritz Sonnenberg Road and finishing in the new Green Point Park. Participants have a choice of either the 21km half marathon or the 10km and 5km run or walk, which is specifically aimed at families, younger participants and walkers.

The half marathon route will take runners through the stadium precinct, V&A Waterfront, past the 94.5 Kfm studios, along the Sea Point Promenade and out towards Camps Bay up Kloof Road. The 10km will wind its way along the Promenade, through the Waterfront and past Primedia Studios in Somerset Road, while the 5km is routed in and around the Green Point Park with its new walkways around the golf course.

Once again, the Cape Field Artillery will be attending the Gun Run to fire the gun that starts all three distances and then again at 10h00 to mark the cut-off.

The Bobs for Good Foundation has been appointed as the official beneficiary for the event. Started by former Springbok captain, Bob Skinstad and his lifelong friend Ron Rutland, the local non-profit organisation was established out of the need to restore dignity and pride to underprivileged learners by giving them a new pair of South African made leather school shoes. The foundation has also helped to create a school shoe with reflective strips, which aims to reduce the number of children who are injured walking to and from school.

The annual race is a favourite on the Western Cape running calendar, which is unsurprising as the scenic route and post-race entertainment ensure that the half-marathon is a hit with runners and spectators alike.

The Taj Cape Town provides luxury accommodation in the heart of the Mother City and is within close proximity to the Cape Town Stadium and many other unique Cape Town attractions.

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Heritage Day (24 September) is a time for all South Africans to recognise those unique aspects of South African culture. From our creative expression to our historical inheritance, the languages we speak, the land in which we live and the food we eat as well.

Braai4Heritage is a non-profit organisation solely committed to uniting South Africans around the world on Heritage Day through the means of an activity enjoyed by all and for which South Africans are world-famous: the Braai.

Commonly referred to as Braai Day by Braai4Heritage, it’s a celebration of South Africa and its unique national pastime.  On 24 September, all South Africans are encouraged to gather around a fire and braai.

Braai4Heritage have likened this initiative to annual celebrations cherished by other leading nations of the world such as Thanksgiving for Americans, St Patricks Day for the Irish, Bastille Day for the French and Australia Day for Australians.

Their initial mission to position National Braai Day as South Africa’s annual day of celebration did meet some resistance initially when a media campaign in 2005 sought to “re-brand” Heritage Day as National Braai Day, in recognition of the South African culinary tradition.

It wasn’t until the end of 2007 when National Braai Day changed its name to Braai4Heritage that the initiative finally received the endorsement of South Africa’s National Heritage Council.

The theme for Braai4Heritage in 2011 has been announced as “Street Braai” and it’s expected to attract massive public support as South Africans from all walks of life gather around fires and prepare great feasts with family and friends.

The Taj Cape Town provides luxury accommodation in Cape Town. Located in the historic heart of the Mother City, the Taj Cape Town is on the doorstep of the city’s great cultural and historic attractions.

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The Chef’s Warehouse & Cookery School is all about food and promises exciting cooking classes and short courses by Dublin born Liam Tomlin and a host of local celebrated chefs and presenters.

Liam is the author of two highly respected books, “BANC” and “Season to Taste”. The school itself forms a part of Liam’s enthusiasm towards fine cuisine and his passion for training young chefs to the highest standards and giving them the skills to work in some of the finest dining rooms around the world.

The set curriculum of 20 classes presented by Liam, Chef and Owner of Chefs Warehouse and Cookery School on the “Basic Techniques & Methods of Cookery” forms the core of the Chefs Warehouse with additional classes and presentations covering such topics as Food Photography & Styling.

The course covers the essential principles of cooking based on the classic European traditions of Liam Tomlin’s training with an added Asian influence inspired by the fourteen years he spent in Asia and Australia.

Cookery demonstration classes consist of a maximum of 20 participants creating an intimate cooking experience where students have the opportunity to interact on a one-on-one basis with Liam, the guest chef or class presenters.

Chefs Warehouse will be staying warm this spring with an aromatic Indian line-up and the Taj Cape Town’s very own Executive Chef Harpreet Kaur will be joining the Warehouse crew as a guest chef for an evening of Regional Indian Cuisine that is not to be missed. The class falls on Tuesday 20th September, from 6.30pm till 9.30pm and costs R575 per person.

Dishes such as such as Galouti kebabs, Allepey fish curry, Methi murgh and Strawberry shahi tukra will be demonstrated and paired with favourite South African wines. Harpreet Kaur will also talk about her culinary journey through Indian regions where recipes and ingredients can change every 50km.

The Taj Cape Town provides luxury accommodation in the city centre and is home to the Bombay Brasserie where Executive Chef Harpreet Kaur wows patrons with some of the best contemporary Indian cuisine in Cape Town.

On Secretaries Day, 7 September 2011, employers everywhere can really show their office assistants how much all their hard work and efforts throughout the year are appreciated. Stressful, demanding and often overworked, secretaries keep the wheels of business and industry turning.

The event is celebrated worldwide and Secretaries Day will fall on 7 September this year – always the first Wednesday of September in South Africa. The day is often celebrated by giving one’s assistant gifts such as flowers, chocolates, small gifts, lunch at a restaurant, or time off.

This year the Taj Cape Town has a special treat for those whose skills, loyalty, and efficiency are to be rewarded this Secretaries Day.

To celebrate Secretaries Day, for the month of September Taj Cape Town is providing a range of gift vouchers. These include a 3-course lunch experience to the value of R250 at MINT for only R200, a 30-minute Deep Tissue Back Massage to the value of R450 for only R300 or both for R500.

Officially known as Administrative Professionals Day the name Secretaries Day has stuck in South Africa. The day celebrates the work of secretaries, administrative assistants, and other office professionals for their growing and diverse contributions to the workplace.

Originally started in the United States, Secretaries Day was the idea of Mary Barrett, president of the National Secretaries Association and C. King Woodbridge, president of Dictaphone Corporation to address a national shortage of skilled office workers.

The official period of celebration was first proclaimed by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Charles Sawyer as “National Secretaries Week,” which was first held June 1–7 in 1952, with Wednesday, June 4, 1952 designated National Secretaries Day. The name was changed to Professional Secretaries Week in 1981 and eventually became Administrative Professionals Week in 2000.

The Taj Cape Town provides luxury accommodation in Cape Town and is home to the famous Mint restaurant on St Georges Mall as well as the luxurious Jiva Spa.

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Cape Town is abundant with exciting extreme sport activities and extraordinary experiences. We’re continuing our look at unforgettable, heart-pounding escapades to be found in the Mother City with this second dose of adrenalin-pumping adventure activities spanning land, sea and air.

High Speed Boat Rides

For an exhilarating 100km/hour ECO adventure that’s fun and safe, high speed inflatable boat rides are your ticket to a racy ocean experience. Atlantic Adventure’s 12 seater boat lets you experience the thrill of the open water at high speed as this rapid ocean adventure pushes the limits of the boat’s two 250hp engines capacity.

Departing from the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront the one-hour trips will take you either around Robben Island or alternatively to Bakoven on a round trip. The two-hour trip will take you past a ship wreck all the way to Duiker Seal Island just off Hout Bay and back again.

Formula 1 Racing

To get your adrenalin pumping why not speed round Killarney’s race track in a Formula One car. The fantastic half–day racing experience starts with a tour of the track by an in-house expert driver and a comprehensive course in driver training and safety.

The cars are built by Reynard with full race configuration and a V6 Dodge engine that is specially tuned to be safe for novices. These cars pull an amazing 450 BHP per tonne and each car has a carbon fibre chassis.

Jet Flights

For the ultimate adrenaline rush, few experiences beat a jet flight over Cape Town. There are a variety of different professional packages offering jet flights in Cape Town. It’s the chance to be a ‘Top Gun’ for a day with an extreme flying adventure in one of the world’s most beautiful cities.

Available jets include the English Electric Lightning which is the world’s only twin-engine two-seater supersonic interceptor, the tandem two-seater British Aerospace Buccaneer designed for low-level, high-speed attack and even the Hawker Hunter air combat trainer which was originally designed as a superior air fighter.

So whether it’s a solo, family or corporate team building activity, you should find something that suits you.

The Taj Cape Town provides luxury accommodation in Cape Town. Unwind and relax at the luxurious Jiva Spa before toasting your latest great adventure at the Twankey champagne and oyster bar.

Image Courtesy of wesleynitsckie

A firm Cape Town favourite, The Rand Merchant Bank WineX Cape Town is renowned as the largest and most important premium consumer wine exhibition in the Western Cape. WineX returns to the CTICC on 8 & 9 September 2011.

Thousands will be flocking to WineX Cape Town this September where the country’s finest wine producers and the city’s wine enthusiasts are given the opportunity to engage with each other and taste some of South Africa’s best wines.

There is a vast array of wine to suit every palate with more than 1500 wines on show from the 250 Cape producers who exhibit at WineX. Attendees can expect to meet local and international winemakers, taste their current releases and learn about the latest trends in winemaking, glassware, coolers and wine racks.

For those too busy to make it to the wine farms, WineX visitors can also stock up on exhibitor wines at competitive prices via the exhibitions’ SHOP@SHOW facility. The facility provides wine enthusiasts with the opportunity to enjoy their favourite WineX tasting experiences at home by making almost all of the offerings at WineX immediately available to collectors and consumers at lower prices.

RMB WineX Cape Town will take place between 5pm and 9pm on 8 and 9 September 2011 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre and is considered by many to be premier event on South Africa’s national wine calendar.

Early bird tickets booked by Sunday 4 September are R100 per person, after which tickets will be R120 for the Thursday night R140 for Friday night. Tickets are available at the door. The ticket price includes a tasting glass and unlimited tastings, and can be booked through Computicket.

The Taj Cape Town provides luxury accommodation in the Cape Town city centre and is in close proximity to the Cape Town International Convention Centre and many other Cape Town attractions.

Image courtesy of Local South Africa

Those looking for unforgettable, heart pounding adventures will find Cape Town abundant with exciting extreme sport activities and extraordinary experiences. Get your adrenalin pumping with a range of adventure activities spanning land, sea and air.

Abseil on Table Mountain

Step over the edge into the pure empty space of “The Long Drop” and abseil down Table Mountain, the world’s highest commercial abseil. A 112 metre controlled descent at 1000 metres above sea level, the sport has you stepping backwards off a sheer cliff face to ‘walk’ down to the bottom.

Considered perfectly safe for complete novices and first timers, it’s definitely a thrilling experience of adrenaline and achievement.

See Great Whites at Gansbaai

Submerge yourself into shark infested waters with Great White shark cage diving. 10 kilometres offshore in the Indian Ocean in the target zone of ‘Shark Alley’, you`ll find yourself sinking in a cage into the salty liquid habitat of this feared predator.

There are scuba and snorkel dive options supervised by dive masters in a 6 man steel cage with a porthole for adventure photos, and all equipment is provided. Human safety and shark conservation are strictly exercised at all times by the professional crew and no training is necessary for this close encounter experience.

Skydive in Cape Town

Tandem skydiving is perhaps the ultimate extreme sports activity when visiting Cape Town. Skydive Cape Town operate 7 days a week, weather permitting, and the plane ride up to an altitude of 9000ft itself is considered worth the trip for its breathtaking views of Table Mountain, Robben Island and the Cape coastline. Then it’s time to get hooked up to your tandem instructor for a heart racing free fall to 4000ft above the ground before the parachute opens you glide softly back to terra fima.

These are only a few and the exciting range of hard-to-forget experience awaiting adventure seekers in the beautiful city of Cape Town.

The Taj Cape Town provides luxury accommodation in Cape Town. Unwind and relax at the luxurious Jiva Spa before toasting your latest great adventure at the Twankey champagne and oyster bar.

Images courtesy of Abi Skipp and Marcel_Ekkel

Stravinsky’s first English-language opera about a young man’s fall from grace in three acts and an epilogue, The Rake’s Progress makes its debut at the Baxter on August 30th 2011. Staged by the creative team responsible for 2010’s uproarious Il viaggio a Reims, Stravinsky’s wacky neoclassical masterpiece is sure to delight audiences with its wit and brilliance.

The libretto, commission by Stravinsky and written by W.H. Auden and Chester Kallman, is based loosely on the eight paintings and engravings A Rake’s Progress by William Hogarth, which Stravinsky had seen on May 2, 1947, in a Chicago exhibition.

William Hogarth himself was an English painter, printmaker, pictorial satirist, social critic and editorial cartoonist. Credited with pioneering western sequential art, his work ranges from realistic portraiture to a comic strip-like series of pictures called “modern moral subjects”. The Rake’s Progress forms part of his series of moral works and depicts the reckless life of Tom Rakewell in eight pictures from being the son of a wealthy merchant to dying in Bethlehem Hospital (Bedlam), London’s notorious mental asylum.

In the Stravinsky version the story follows this same decline and fall of Tom Rakewell, who deserts Anne Trulove for the delights of London in the company of Nick Shadow. It is a series of misadventures, all initiated by the devious Shadow, which lead Tom Rakewell through the seedy underbelly of London, ultimately costing him his fortune, his true love and his sanity.

The African premier of The Rake’s Progress is co-produced by Cape Town Opera and the UCT Opera School. This new production by Matthew Wild and Kobus Rossouw will feature a witty mash-up of 18th century and contemporary imagery, with choreography by Sean Bovim and under the conductorship of Kamal Kahn.

The Taj Cape Town provides luxury accommodation in Cape Town. What better way to top off an evening at the opera than by enjoying a nightcap at the Twankey seafood, oyster and champagne bar?

Image courtesy of LaertesCTB

Cape Town’s beautiful Table Mountain is a hiker’s delight with an abundance of flora and fauna and some of the most breathtaking views available. Indeed the mountains which hug our wonderful city of Cape Town provide a range of hiking trails for travellers keen on great walks, fantastic views and the natural beauty of the Cape.

A World Heritage site and the iconic symbol of Cape Town, Table Mountain is traversed by a network of nearly 550 walks. Maps are available from the Information Centre at the V&A Waterfront, Cape Nature Conservation and the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens. Guests at the Taj Cape Town are also able to find out more about walks on Table Mountain from our concierge desk.

Perhaps two of the more popular trails on Table Mountain are the Pipe track on the Atlantic side and the Skeleton Gorge and Nursery Ravine trail starting in Kirstenbosch Gardens.

The Pipe Track provides views of Camps Bay and Lions head as well as serving as a link to the Twelve Apostles Ridge. It is named for the pipes that used to carry water from the reservoirs and is considered a manageable walk perfect for afternoon and early evening excursions.

The Skeleton Gorge and Nursery Ravine trail has the benefit of starting in the picturesque Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. While the terrain and views are magnificent, this hike does demand a certain level of fitness and proper footwear as going up the Gorge is tricky and steep, with two ladders and loose river stones to negotiate on the way to the top. The descent is via Nursery Ravine, the base of which hikers will pass on their way to Skeleton Gorge.

A slightly less strenuous hike, which offers equally magnificent photo opportunities, is Lions Head . This spiralling route to the peak provides great views of the Cape Town city bowl with Table Mountain as a backdrop as well as views across Table Bay and the Atlantic Ocean coastline.

Towards the end, the path on Lions Head does become quite steep, and hikers can choose to use chains to ascend a sheerer portion of the walk, or alternatively go it on foot following another path to the top.

One the great joys about Table Mountain is its accessibility and the variety of walks on offer. Starting at a variety of locations you can enjoy a gentle stroll or a serious hike, with paths in all directions to help you explore this majestic location.

The Taj Cape Town provides luxury accommodation in the heart of Cape Town with spectacular views of Table Mountain and within close proximity to many historic Cape Town attractions.

The 15th annual Nando’s Cape Comedy Festival will be bringing the world’s hottest comedy to the beautiful mother city as a host of international and local comedy acts perform for the first time at the Artscape Theatre.

For over a decade, the Nando’s Cape Town Comedy Festival has put Cape Town on the world entertainment map with Africa’s largest and funniest comedy festival.

Over the course of the past 15 years, the comedy festival has presented over 180 international acts to Cape Town audiences with its goal to innovate, engage and entertain. Today, the festival is considered one of the top five comedy events in the world and certainly the largest on the African Continent

Greg Behrendt, Mark Eddie, Michael Loftus, Ndumiso Lindi, Dan Cummins and many more will amaze and amuse Capetonians of all ages at the 2011 festival running from the 9th – 14th of August.

Another favourite of the festival is the ever popular local stand-up competition called the “Graça Comedy Showdown” where contestants have been fighting it out regionally on stage to become the next big festival hit. The Cape Town final is being held tonight (8 August) at Zula Bar and the winner will get the chance to perform alongside international comedy heavy weights for the duration of the festival run.

What’s more, the festival will give audiences the opportunity to catch the legendary Pablo Francisco for the first time in Cape Town.

Pablo Francisco previously headlined at the Johannesburg and Durban Festivals last year and will now be bringing his unique arsenal of characters, spontaneous outbursts, and clever insights to create a stand-up show that is sure to bring Cape Town audiences to their feet with raucous laughter and applause.

Tickets for the 2011 Nando’s Cape Town Comedy Festival are available from Computicket and prices range from R150 to R200.

The Taj Cape Town provides luxury accommodation in the Cape Town city centre within close proximity to many Cape Town theatres including the Artscape Theatre.

15 exceptionally talented young singers and classical musicians will get the opportunity to perform with the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra as the 40^th annual Youth Music Festival introduces top up-and-coming Cape Town performers to the professional stage.

The creation of the Youth Music Festival itself dates back to the opening of Artscape, then known as the Nico Malan Theatre, in 1971. David Tidboald, who had formed an orchestra that year to service the various performing arts genres attached the theatre, had the vision to start a youth music festival. The concept was that young instrumental soloists and singers would be given the opportunity of performing annually with a professional orchestra.

The emphasis of the festival is a celebration of young musical talent and the participants are chosen from over 50 youths between the ages of 12 and 26 years.  Auditions for the festival are exclusive to musicians living or studying in the Western Cape and a very high concert standard of performance is expected of the participants as the festival provides a good launch point for their careers.

With Cape Town being a hotbed for top musical talent, the challenge for the festival in previous years  has been in not only choosing the best, but also in coming up with a very listenable and interesting variety of works, contrasting in style and appealing to a general audience as well.

A policy to prevent previous participants from re-auditioning for two years after participation was dropped before the 2010 running of the music festival to encourage outstanding talent to get further opportunities to play.Those who are amongst the best could play for two or more years running and Cape Town audiences will definitely have a lot to look forward to this year and in the years to come.

The Artscape and the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra will be presenting the 40th Youth Music Festival on Saturday, 13 August 2011, at Artscape.  Tickets to the festival are R60 for adults and R30 for pensioners and students and can be booked at Computicket.

The Taj Cape Town provides luxury accommodation in Cape Town. Start any trip to the theatre with a fine dining experience at the Bombay Brasserie or enjoy a post curtain call nightcap the Twankey Bar.

Image courtesy of  Cape Wine Makers Guild

For twenty nine years, the Cape Winemakers Guild has raised the quality bar for the South African Wine Industry. They motivate their members to craft the highest quality wines available in South Africa and, indeed, some of the best in the world.

Each year rare limited edition wines are produced in small volumes exclusively for the Cape Winemakers Guild Auction held on the first Saturday of October. Strict controls are put in place to ensure wines are distinct from those offered under the winemakers’ regular labels and membership of the Guild remains exclusively by invitation.

On 11 August you can join the Cape Winemakers Guild (CWG) for an exclusive showcasing of the 2011 Cape Winemakers Guild Auction wines at the Cape Town International Convention Centre and get a chance to taste these rare limited editions.

The showcase is an informal tasting of the 2011 Auction wines, as well as past Auction wines and flagship wines presented by the members of the CWG. It’s an opportunity to sample up to 80 rare and unique wines while interacting with the winemakers.

These Auction wines are selected meticulously at a blind tasting where only those showing technical excellence are chosen. This means that each wine offered under the CWG Auction label can be expect to be of exceptional quality.

Single signed bottles from previous CWG Auctions will also be made available via a silent auction. These silent auctions continue the strong fundraising tradition of the Guild and funds raised are donated to the Nedbank CWG Development Trust.

Today a significant number of the top winemakers in the country are part of the Cape Winemakers Guild and continue to raise wine standards higher than ever before, setting new world-class benchmarks for South African wine.

The Taj Cape Town provides luxury accommodation in Cape Town within close proximity to the Cape Town International Convention Centre.  The Bombay Brasserie at the Taj Cape Town serves elegant Indian-inspired cuisine paired with the finest wines meticulously chosen to suit each meal.

Image courtesy of julien.reboulet

Cape Town’s Killarney Race track has long been the home of motorsport fans and motoring enthusiasts with a love of live high-speed racing. With Cape Town quickly becoming the events capital of South Africa, and following the success of the 2010 World Cup, high-speed adrenalin-fuelled action may be moving closer to the city bowl.

Killarney itself is a classic motor race track in Cape Town. Situated in Tableview, about 30km from the city centre, the track boasts magnificent views of Table Mountain.

The track was first used for racing in 1947 and rebuilt between 1959 and 1960 to conform to the standard required for the 1500cc Formula One cars of the time. It was this upgrade to the track that allowed Cape Town to host its first international Formula One Grand Prix racing event when the Cape Grand Prix was run at Killarney on 17 December 1960.

Now, more than half a century later, South Africa is currently bidding to host a Formula One Grand Prix in Cape Town from 2013 with some pretty big ideas.

The proposed plans are for a Monaco-style race through the streets of Cape Town that pass along the Atlantic Ocean coast with Table Mountain and Lion’s Head as backdrops.

The inclusion of the World Cup Stadium in the race is one of Cape Town Grand Prix  ideas for the 2013 event, with a proposed a 5,7 km street circuit through the Green Point suburb of Cape Town.

Spectators would be able to watch the action up close as the track makes use of the exit and entry points of the stadium at street level.

One of the biggest adjustments would be lifting the pitch and laying tar in line with International Automobile Federation standards. Once the three-day Formula One event ended, the tar would then be re-covered with the playing pitch.

It’s an ambitious project and would be a large boon to Cape Town should the plan see fruition. This would also herald the first international Grand Prix in South Africa in nearly twenty years.

The Taj Cape Town provides luxury accommodation in the historic heart of Cape Town’s city centre, a short distance from the World Cup Stadium and other Cape Town attractions.

The philosophy of Jiva or “inner force” is inherently rooted in India’s ancient approach to wellness and inspired by the ancient Indian healing wisdom of Ayurveda. It is this approach that have made Jiva Spas the world over stand apart, with an array of enlivening holistic treatments, meaningful rituals and ceremonies to create a superior spa experience.

Ayurveda is a system of traditional Indian healing which evolved some 6000 years ago. It was established by the same great ancient sages who produced India’s original systems of meditation, yoga and astrology.

Ayurveda has both a spiritual and a practical basis and places an emphasis on the need for balance and harmony in all three aspects of life – body, mind and spirit.

For Ayurveda, wellness is defined as a state of physical and psychological well-being as well as a contented state of consciousness. Health is seen as a basis for creative and spiritual growth, rather than an end in itself and one can use the time and energy ones health provides to achieve longevity, rejuvenation and self-realisation.

Jiva’s methods are deeply rooted to the principles of Ayurveda and these ancient teachings have been incorporated into their unique brand of spa experiences. The Ayurvedic approach to physical and psychological wellbeing follows the four key aspects of traditional treatments: physician, therapist, medicine and beneficiary.

Rather than standard prescriptions or programmes, Ayurveda believes that everyone is unique and this starts with a consultation with an Ayurveda physician who prescribes a course of treatment based on lifestyle, medical history, needs, likes and dislikes.

The prescribed plan includes treatments that are administered by trained therapists with the appropriate blend of oils and herbs. Finally, the physician will also offer a lifestyle consultation that befits one’s health requirements for long term benefits.

India has long been known as a land of spiritual wellness and guests of the Taj Cape Town will be pleased to know that these time-tested wellness therapies, still practiced in parts of India, are available at our luxurious Jiva Spa.

The Taj Cape Town provides luxury accommodation in Cape Town and is home to the luxurious Jiva Spa where pampering and indulgence goes hand in hand with holistic wellness.

Images courtesy of OCVA and Steve Snodgrass

One of the true joys of Cape Town is its thriving performing arts scene and collection of theatres both modern and historical. Beautiful venues, historical buildings, fantastic views and a vibrant culture make the Cape Town theatre experience a must when visiting the mother city.

The Baxter Theatre has provided a stage for all types of professional entertainment – music, drama, ballet, opera and intimate theatre – since it was first opened in 1977.

It is named after the late Dr W. Duncan Baxter who bequeathed a sum of money to the University of Cape Town for the purposes of establishing a theatre that would “develop and cultivate the arts in Cape Town and the adjacent districts”.

The Baxter has maintained this strong sense of purpose to this day, and continues to present and host some of the best of South African performing arts.

Renamed in March 2001, the Artscape originally opened in 1971 as the Nico Malan.  As the country’s first multi-use centre for performing arts it became a production house for four arts companies – orchestra, opera, ballet and drama – each with full-time artistes, technical and administrative staff.

Today the Artscape manages the theatre venues on a semi-commercial basis and all performing arts boards were transformed to playhouses with the various arts companies becoming independent.

Its original goal was the promotion of the performing arts and it has remained one of the premier theatres in Cape Town for over forty years.

The Kalk Bay theatre makes its home in the old Kalk Bay Dutch Reformed church, a heritage protected building, built in 1876. It boasts a thrust stage theatre with the audience on three sides to allow for a very intimate theatrical experience. Shows usually run for four to eight weeks but their resident “Theatresports” is active every Tuesday, and has become Cape Town’s longest running improvised theatre show.

Pieter Toerien’s Theatre on the Bay is the place for those looking for a good mix of local and international drama, musicals, comedy, cabaret, music and dance. The theatre is known for its superb location as well as for its Act I Theatre Café – a restaurant which opens for dinner before and after the show.

They also offer a new VIP room on the top floor of the theatre boasting some of the best views of the Camps Bay beach and the sea.

The Taj Cape Town provides luxury accommodation in the heart of Cape Town and is with easy walking distance of some of  Cape Town’s theatres and other city attractions.

Image courtesy of Image Editor

Enjoy a journey through the wonders of the universe and experience celestial theatre at its best at the Cape Town Planetarium.

The Planetarium, which is housed in the Iziko South African Museum building in Cape Town, offers educational entertainment and audio visual wonder for audiences young and old.

It utilizes the Minolta star machine and multiple projectors to transport the audience through the miracle that is our galaxy by combining a cornucopia of sound, light and cutting-edge technology.

A live lecture on the current night sky is presented every Saturday and Sunday and visitors receive a star map while being shown where to find the constellations and planets that are visible during the month.

The Planetarium’s domed auditorium makes a great destination any time of the year. Visitors can always expect a crystal-clear night sky, regardless of the weather outside. Monthly archived star maps can also be found on the Planetarium’s website along with descriptions of the constellations and planets.

The Planetarium has two great attractions running over the course of July. “Celestial Clouds”  is a celebration of astro-photography and is running until the 22^nd, following which
“Astronomy of the Great Pyramid” begins on the 23^rd.

In “Celestial Clouds”, the Milky Way and neighbouring galaxies are revealed as images of a multitude of stars. Striking glowing clouds of gas are seen entangled with labyrinths of dark dust lanes. It’s a photographic journey studying the fundamental forces and materials responsible for the existence of stars and their importance to our own well-being in the universe.

“Astronomy of the Great Pyramid” explores the ancient Egyptian belief that the pyramids were places where the spirits of dead pharaohs could ascend to the stars. A system of shafts discovered within the Great Pyramid of Khufu were directed towards the most important stars of the time and the Planetarium recreates those ancient skies for the enjoyment and speculation of its audiences.

The Taj Cape Town provides luxury accommodation in Cape Town and is within easy walking distance of the Planetarium and many other top Cape Town attractions.

Image courtesy of pandrcutts

As part of the Iziko Museums of Cape Town, The National Art Gallery is South Africa’s premier art museum with collections of South African, African, British, French, Dutch and Flemish art. Along with its permanent collections, the museum also hosts a range of temporary exhibits and is a true reflection of both historic and contemporary South African art.

The National Art Gallery’s initial 45 paintings were bequeathed by Thomas Butterworth Bayley in 1871 and   the main building, which today houses the National Gallery, was designed by Clelland & Mullins from the Public Works Department and F K Kendall, and was completed in 1930.

The building itself is a testament to early patrons of the arts and the initial funding it received from the Government, the City Council and the Hyman Liberman Estate. The Iziko South African National Gallery has gone on to become internationally recognized for its substantial holdings of South African, African and Western European art.

The works of many leading British artists of the early 20th century can be found in the permanent collection, including members of the New English Art Club and those of the Bloomsbury Group.

The 1980’s saw a change in the acquisition policy of the National Art Gallery and a focus on contemporay art. Works by John Walker, Michael Porter, Gary Wragg, Alan Davie and Ronald Kitaj were acquired and serious attempts have since been made to fill the gaps in the collection lost during the apartheid era.

Selections from the permanent collection change regularly and temporary exhibitions of paintings, works on paper, photography, new media, sculpture, beadwork and textiles are also hosted.

The National Art Gallery is open daily from 10:00 till 17:00 and costs R20 for adults while students and pensioners are half price. Entrance to the gallery is free for those under 18.

There is also Gallery Shop in the museum showcasing the best in traditional and contemporary South African craft including embroidered textiles, handcrafted ceramics, “telephone wire” products and fine beadwork.

The National Art Gallery is one of 15 art galleries that are all located within walking distance of Taj Cape Town.

The Taj Cape Town provides luxury accommodation in the historic heart of the mother city and is within easy walking distance of the National Art Gallery and many other top Cape Town museums.

Image courtesy of avlxyz

The annual Knysna Oyster Festival has become one of South Africa’s most popular festivals for those who enjoy the great taste of oysters. With two sporting events, competitions, soft sports and good cheer, the ten day festival starting on 1 July 2011 is fun the whole family can enjoy.

The festival has established itself as one of the most popular annual events in the Western Cape and is expecting to bring nearly 65 000 people to Knysna this year. The first Oyster Festival was organised by the late Dick Ginsberg, a local businessman, with the help of Rose Smith from the Knysna Publicity Office in 1983.

Dick Ginsberg wanted to attract people to Knysna during the quiet winter period and the winter festival originally featured a marathon, rugby, golf, squash, and bowls – a far cry from the more than 100 events boasted this year.

The oysters are definitely the stars of the show though and the annual oyster-shucking competition and the ever-popular oyster eating competition are festival favourites; along with the Oyster and Wine Mardi Gras with its impressive range of oyster and wine tastings.

For those Capetonians who are unable to make the Oyster Festival, the freshest and most comprehensive range of oysters can be found at the Twankey Champagne and Oyster Bar at the Taj Cape Town. Here oysters from all over the country are served with fresh seafood tapas and a variety of tasting options.

Capetonians can enjoy oysters from Alexander Bay, Knysna, Luderitz, Paternoster, St Helena Bay and Walvis Bay as well as wild and West Coast Oysters.

And while Champagne and Cap Classiques compliment oysters wonderfully, it may interest you to know that many Sauvignon Blancs and Chardonnay’s do so as well. At the Twankey, Guinness is another traditional favourite with oysters, as are a range Bloody Mary shots. The popular Twankey Teaser is a great way to experience these different taste sensations.

The Taj Cape Town offers luxury accommodation in Cape Town in the heart of the city and is home to the fabulous Twankey Champagne and Oyster Bar with its sublime oyster menu.

Images courtesy of World of Birds

The World of Birds is one of Cape Town’s premier tourist attractions and an experience no nature lover and photographer should miss.

Situated 10km outside of Cape Town in the Hout Bay Valley is a four-hectare tropical garden which forms part of the largest bird park in Africa. World of Birds is home to over 3,000 birds and small animals representing as many as 400 different species.

The more than 100 spacious landscaped walk through aviaries form part of the main attraction as visitors are able to view the birds closely in a beautiful natural environment.  Here visitors can see barbets, finches, geese, marabou, eagles and egrets living alongside baboons, meerkats, monkeys and assorted reptiles.

World of Birds Wildlife Sanctuary is an independent institution which also cares for injured birds and is a breeding centre for threatened species. Their goals are to propagate rare birds and mammals in a protective, natural environment and to bring wildlife to the people by showing that wildlife and urban development can be compatible.

World of Birds attracts nearly 100,000 visitors a year, many of whom combine a trip to the bird sanctuary with a day or half-day trip to Hout Bay. It is an excellent destination for bird lovers of all ages and a great treat for children.

Entrance costs R70 for adults, R40 for children (3-16), and there are discounts for pensioners and students. World of Birds is open daily from 09h00 – 17h00.

The Taj Cape Town is an ideal location from which to explore the city’s parks and monuments. The hotel’s concierge staff will keep guests informed of the best places to visit at a given time of the year. Transport to the World of Birds, or other places of interest, is available to hotel guests.

The Taj Cape Town offers luxury accommodation in Cape Town in the heart of the city. The Taj Cape Town is home to fine Cape Town restaurants and the deluxe Jiva spa.

The original production was first performed at a Jewish orphanage in Prague even though Krasa and set designer Frantisek Zelenka had already been transported to Theresienstadt. Soon nearly all of the children of the original chorus and the orphanage staff had also been transported to Theresienstadt. Reunited with the cast, Krasa reconstructed the opera and adapted it to suit the musical instruments available in the camp.

The opera combines similar fairytale themes as can be found in Hansel and Gretal and The Town Musicians of Bremen and while it contains obvious symbolism in the triumph of the helpless over the tyrannical, it has no overt references to the conditions under which it was written and performed.

The lead protagonists are siblings Aninka and Pepíček who are being raised by their mother alone. When their mother falls ill, the doctor tells the two that she will need milk to recover.  Having no money the two set off for the marketplace to sing for the coin they will need to save her life, but are chased off by the evil organ grinder, Brundibar.

The children illicit the help of a fearless sparrow, a keen cat, a wise dog, and the children of the town, and are able to chase Brundibar away to sing in the market square.

This production of Brundibar is presented by Cape Town Opera & Magnet Theatre together with the Cape Town Holocaust Centre, Artscape and the Frank Joubert Art Centre. It forms part of Cape Town Opera’s 2011 outreach and education programme and will be running from 18 to 21 July at the Artscape. Tickets can be booked via Computicket.

Guests of the Taj Cape Town who would like to learn more about the city’s buzzing cultural scene can ask the hotel’s informed and friendly concierge staff for tips on catching the latest and best events.

The Taj Cape Town provides luxury accommodation in Cape Town. What better way to top off an evening at the opera than by enjoying a nightcap at the Twankey seafood, oysters and champagne bar?

Cape Town’s Boulders Beach is one of South Africa’s top tourist destinations, forming part of Table Mountain National Park and home to the Boulders Penguin Colony.

Boulders Penguin Colony is home to a colony of African Penguins that stroll along the sand as well as the streets around the beach. The African penguins were settled on Boulders Beach in 1982, and the beach itself forms part of the Table Mountain National Park. It is also the only part of the park that has a fenced off section to prevent the birds from wondering inland.

Starting with just the two breeding pairs in 1982, the penguin colony has grown quite sizable and it is one of the few sites where African penguins can be observed wandering freely in a protected natural environment. Parks officials have installed wooden walkways to give visitors a comfortable view of the penguins in their natural habitat and there is a visitors’ centre with information on the colony.

Boulders Beach is also a popular beach destination for swimming, in areas adjacent to the penguin colony. Boulders Beach is ideal for kids, as the granite boulders which gave the beach its name shelter the cove from currents and large waves.

The entrance fee is R35 for adults and R10 for children under the age of 12, which gives access to the beach as well as the walkways and viewpoints.

The Taj Cape Town’s central location is ideal for visiting the many attractions and historic sites around the Mother City. Ask the friendly concierge staff for more information and helpful advice about Boulders Beach and any other Cape Town attractions.

The Taj Cape Town offers luxury accommodation in the heart of the Cape Town. The Taj Cape Town provides exclusive levels of comfort and service and is home to the Jiva Spa which offers extraordinary luxury spa treatment.

Image courtesy of Paul Mannix

Images courtesy of Krokodil23

The Rhodes Memorial is a Cape Town landmark with a wonderful view of the city. An elegant classical structure built on Devil’s Peak, the Rhodes Memorial was designed by Sir Herbert Baker and commemorates the life of Cecil John Rhodes, one of the most influential figures in the development of modern South Africa.

The Rhodes Memorial is a fascinating reminder of South Africa’s colonial past, and the economic and political developments that contributed to the growth of South African industry. But most people visit the monument for its magnificent view of Cape Town.

Cecil John Rhodes would sit at this spot and contemplate his colonial vision of Africa, including a railway line that would transverse the continent, linking Cape Town to Cairo. Certainly the spectacular views inspire grand ideas.

The granite monument is itself of historical interest. Herbert Baker, who also designed the Union Buildings in Pretoria, created some of the most enduring and significant architectural works in South Africa, and the Rhodes Monument is a distillation of Baker’s style and vision.

The Rhodes Memorial is a popular picnic spot for Cape Town locals and for tourists. When the weather is good, it is a great place to relax with a delicious hamper of picnic goodies.

The Rhodes Memorial Restaurant is also a popular attraction, with outdoor seating that is ideal for summer and log fire for the winter months.

Like the world famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, the Rhodes Monement is a perfect place to build up an appetite for lunch with a stroll around the mountain, enjoying the fynbos and other indigenous flora while taking in the dramatic views.

The Taj Cape Town is an ideal location from which to explore the city’s parks and monuments. The hotel’s concierge staff will keep guests informed of best places to visits at a given time of the year. Transport to the Rhodes Memorial, or other places of interest, is available to hotel guests.

The Taj Cape Town offers luxury accommodation in Cape Town in the heart of the city. The Taj Cape Town is home to fine Cape Town restaurants and the deluxe Jiva spa.

Image courtesy of Brian Burger

The Robben Island museum stands as a stark reminder of the price paid for freedom in the new South Africa. The world heritage site is perhaps one of Cape Town most famous landmarks and an important site for anyone who wants to understand South Africa’s past.

As an important centre of South African heritage, the Robben Island Museum runs educational programmes for schools and adults, and operates tours and conducts ongoing research related to the island.

Tours of Robben Island are conducted by former prisoners, who discuss themes of banishment, isolation and imprisonment, as well as triumph and victory. Since the Dutch settled at the Cape in the mid-1600s, indigenous African leaders, Muslim leaders from the East Indies, Dutch and British soldiers and civilians, women, and anti-apartheid activists, have spent time imprisoned on the island. Special attention is made on the tours in depicting the lives of political prisoners detained from the 1960s to 1991, including Nelson Mandela and Robert Sobukwe.

Beyond the prison, Robben Island is a complex ecosystem that hosts 132 different bird species, some of which are endangered. The African Penguin was re-introduced to the island in 1983 and is a favourite attraction of visitors to the island.

Robben Island is also host to small herds of bontebok, springbok, steenbok, fallow deer and eland. Even ostriches, lizards, geckos, snakes and three species of tortoise can be found.

The standard tour to Robben Island is three and a half hours long and includes two half-hour ferry rides. It departs from the Nelson Mandela Gateway, at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town. Note that poor weather can affect departure times. Once on the Island, visitors are transported by bus. The tour cost R220 for adults R110 for children under 18 from 2 May 2011. You are advised to book tickets before hand and tickets are available online at Webtickets.

The Taj Cape Town provides luxury accommodation in the Cape Town city centre and is located within walking distance of a host of Cape Town’s historic landmarks and museums.

South Africa’s original and largest food exhibition comes to the Cape Town Convention Centre from 26 to 29 May 2011. The Good Food and Wine Show is a four day exhibition of live demonstrations and hands-on cooking workshops with celebrated top chefs producing culinary delights including the latest gourmet trends.

Considered to be the premier inter­act­ive food, wine and life­style exhib­i­tion in South Africa, visitors to the Good Food and Wine Show will be enticed by sample dishes from top restaurants and the chance to taste premium wines. There will also be a host of family entertainment with specially designed performances for children.

The line-up consists of some of the finest international celebrity chefs, including BBC stars, accompanied by South Africa’s first class chefs in nine state-of-the-art kitchen theatres.

The Chefs in Action Theatre consists of 30 minute cooking demonstrations and is considered by many to be the highlight of the show. Hands-on workshops are also available, in groups of twelve, for anyone who wants to get into the kitchen and prepare select recipes with the personal attention of a celebrity chef.

The wine theatre will thrill connoisseurs.  showcasing collections of premium domestic and imported wines for tasting and purchase at reduced show prices, as well as the chance to learn expert tips from Vicente Traviesa, a wine ambassador from Chile’s largest winery.

Lindt Chocolate make a mouth watering appearance, with delicious chocolate treats on offer and workshops conducted by one of South Africa’s finest pastry chefs, Dimon Simatos.

At the Wellbeing Theatre visitors can learn more about health eating from top chefs. Performances focused on healthy eating for the whole family promise to delight kids and keep parents informed. There is even a Little Cooks Zone will include cooking classes from Tots-n-Pots cooking school, as well as performances by Katy Ashworth from the BBC’s I Can Cook programme.

Outdoor dining on state-of-the-art Weber braais with the Amarula Outdoor Experience and sample menus with pairing selections from  top restaurants in the Taste of the Cape theatre rounds out the show. Tickets for the Good Food and Wine show can be bought at Computicket.

The Taj Cape Town is a culinary attraction in its own right. The finest in contemporary Indian cuisine is served at the Bombay Brasserie as well as delicious local and international dishes at the Mint restaurant.

The Taj Cape Town provides luxury accommodation in Cape Town and is centrally located to many Cape Town attractions. Round out an enjoyable day in Cape Town with fine dining or a visit to the exquisite Jiva Spa.

Image courtesy of April Killingsworth

Honouring South Africa’s Nobel Peace Prize laureates, Nobel Square, in Cape Town, is a place for reflection and contemplation of South Africa’s troubled past and a tribute to those who took some of the most significant steps towards turning the country into the rainbow nation it is today.

The likenesses of the late Nkosi Albert Luthuli, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, former President F. W. de Klerk and former President Nelson Mandela are immortalised in bronze, with each laureate’s preferred quotation engraved in their chosen language in front of them.

Situated in the V&A Waterfront, the slightly larger than life-size statues form a crescent with Table Mountain in the background and stand facing the Peace and Democracy sculpture (dedicated to the contribution of women and children in the attainment of peace in South Africa) which takes centre place in the square.

The idea to honour South Africa’s four Nobel Peace Prize laureates through sculpture came about during a conversation between the then premier of the Western Cape, Ebrahim Rasool, and the previous premier, Marthinus van Schalkwyk.

Ten artists were recommended to the Nobel Square Project Committee to submit proposals, with task eventually being awarded to two artists.

Noria Mambasa, declared one of South Africa’s living treasures and one of the foremost artists to use Venda legends in her work, was appointed to create the Peace and Democracy Statue. Claudette Schreuders, who regularly exhibits her work internationally, produced the sculptures of the four laureates.

Former Western Cape Premier Ebrahim Rasool elegantly summed up the meaning of the square: “Each Laureate played his own meaningful and different role in achieving peace and democracy, each one at a different time of the struggle, while sometimes uniting their efforts. They came from different political backgrounds, from different races, origins and spoke different languages, but together the four left an indelible mark on the South African landscape.”

The Taj Cape Town is centrally located to many Cape Town attractions. Ask our friendly concierge staff about arranging transport in one our luxury cars to visit any of Cape Town’s historic locations or places of interest.

The Taj Cape Town provides luxury accommodation in Cape Town. After a busy day sightseeing in Cape Town try a relaxing massage at the luxurious Jiva Spa or enjoy sundowners at the renowned Twankey Bar.