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.

Image Courtesy of fabulousfabs

A key event on South Africa’s Parliamentary and political calendar is the opening of Parliament in Cape Town and the State of the Nation Address. This year the opening of Parliament will be taking place on 9 February 2012 as Cape Town once more hosts the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces.

Completed in 1885, the parliament building with its central dome and Corinthian porticos and pavilions was originally designed by Charles Freeman who, following a miscalculation of the foundations, was later replaced by Henry Greaves.

The building itself lies in the uppermost corner of Company Gardens, with an entrance on Parliament Street.  During parliamentary sessions between January and June, tickets to sit in the public gallery are available to visitors as well as guided tours though the Houses of Parliament buildings during the week.

The opening of parliament does come with its downside though as several road closures creates a challenge getting in and out of the Cape Town city centre.

Between attending the spectacle of the State of Nation address and chancing the tactical-plan-ahead-escape-routes out of the CBD, the opportunity to spend a relaxing evening in the city centre is too often overlooked.

With its large street-side windows which create a unique viewing room for glimpses of the Houses of Parliament and Table Mountain, as well as its plush comfortable décor, the Twankey Bar is perhaps the best place to be during the opening of parliament.

A relaxing evening of fresh seafood tapas, perfectly poured cocktails, a range of champagnes and excellent oyster experiences makes the end of any workday a celebration and the opening of parliament a breeze.

The Taj Cape Town provides luxury accommodation in Cape Town and is home to the Twankey champagne and oyster bar open weekdays from 16:00 till late.

A romantic night in the heart of the Mother City awaits those looking for the ultimate romantic gesture. A Valentine’s Day treat of exotic spa treatments, champagne and oysters, sumptuous dinners and luxurious accommodation and an evening of elegance, glamour and romantic indulgence.

Romantic foods, exotic locales and luxurious settings, the Bombay Brasserie will indulge your culinary fantasies with a sumptuous 5-course dinner in Cape Town’s finest modern Indian restaurant.

Enliven the senses with a special His & Hers Valentine’s menu featuring ‘dillwali’ macchi (dill flavoured tandoori salmon) and murg mumtaaz (cardamom and pandanus scented chicken curry), as well as a Valentine’s dessert sampler of anjeer halwa (fig and almond halwa) and rose petal kuli (rose petal ice cream) to be shared.

If your romantic tastes run towards the intimate dinner with jazz accompaniment, The Mint Restaurant is offering Chef Mark’s carvery and naturally aphrodisiac themed ‘love food’ inspired buffet.

The buffet features a fresh oyster bar with Namibian Luderitz and wild oysters from Mossel Bay, avocado and cherry salad, Alba truffle glazed asparagus, ginger duck noodles and a hearty dessert buffet with apple and toasted almond crepes, chocolate Grand Marnier cake and cinnamon poached pears.  Let fine dining amidst a jazz duet and roses whisk you away on a romantic culinary adventure.

For the ultimate in romantic relaxation, the Jiva Spa has a 2 hour ‘Nectar of the Gods’ treatment package. Two therapists will perform a candle-lit, Indian aromatherapy massage, using evocative oils to set the mood for romance.

Couples are encouraged to arrive 30-45mins prior to enjoy our steam, vitality pool & relaxation area. And after this indulgent massage, a rose petal bath together and some exclusive time alone with a bottle of champagne can be enjoyed.

As always, the Twankey Bar is available for that between locations interlude of Cap Classique and oysters as well as the ever popular ‘Twankey Teaser.’

To end the perfect Valentine’s Day evening, the Taj Cape Town is also offering luxury city view rooms and one-bedroom suites with breakfast for two included, special romantic turndown service, access to the private Taj Club lounge, as well early check-in and late check-out.

The Taj Cape Town provides luxury accommodation in Cape Town and will be providing a host of indulgent Valentine’s Day activities and luxurious accommodation from  11 – 16 February 20 12. Contact us to find out more.

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 warrenski

Cape Town’s image as a premier holiday destination has been further entrenched, having won the World Design Capital 2014 bid and in Table Mountain becoming one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.

In part two of our look at Cape Town’s twin honours we look towards 2014 and what this means for the future of Cape Town as a whole.

World Design Capital 2014

Capetonians can be proud of having been declared World Design Capital 2014, another incredible achievement as it beat the two leading contenders (Dublin and Bilbao), as well as over 50 other cities who took part in the bid.

Not since successfully hosting the 2010 Fifa World Cup, has Cape Town taken on such an ambitious project as winning the honour of being World Design Capital in 2014. As is, the Mother City has two years of preparation time to plan a year long programme of design-driven events.

No small task for Cape Town considering it would be following in the footsteps of previous winners such as Turin in Italy and Seoul in South Korea.

Cape Town is eagerly rising to the challenge of positioning itself as a city of innovation, inspiration and creativity.  It has been the site of the world’s first heart transplant, it is home to such design driven events as Design Indaba, the Loerie Awards and the One City, Many Cultures Project; and it is currently where the Joule, Africa’s first all-electric car, is being developed.

Cape Town has an ongoing reputation for its high level of entrepreneurship in creative industries and design-led organisations; yet the real focus of World Design Capital 2014 is in the legacy it will leave behind. It’s an opportunity for the reimagining and reinventing of a Cape Town that is sustainable, resilient and more in line with the urban, economical and environmental landscape that future generations of Capetonians will call home.

It’s nevertheless an exciting time for Cape Town as locals and visitors alike look forward to this ‘transformation of a city’ taking place over the next two years; and a 2014 full of exciting events, opportunities and a bright new future for Cape Town.

The Taj Cape Town provides luxury accommodation in Cape Town and is a wonderful design destination, as the beautifully restored architecture is representative of positive transformation through design.

Image courtesy of warrenski

Never has there been a better time to visit Cape Town as the city is literally abuzz with excitement over two great international victories which are sure to put South Africa and the Mother City at the top of global holiday destination lists for many years to come.

Winning both the World Design Capital in 2014 and having one of South Africa’s most famous landmarks become an official wonder of the natural world, it’s easy to see why Cape Town is solidifying its standing as a premier holiday destination.

New 7 Wonders of the Natural World

It’s been a three year battle in the race to choose the world’s seven most wonderful natural sites, and following an announcement just five days before the end of the race that Table Mountain had yet to reach the top ten list, it seemed unlikely that the beloved mountain would be declared a natural wonder of the world.

Yet South Africa managed to pull together and an unprecedented number of votes and support from locals and visitors alike resulted in a nail-biting finish for the mountain. Celebrations erupted at the V&A Waterfront on 11 November following the announcement that Table Mountain was officially a new natural wonder of the world.

Table Mountain joins the Puerto Princesa Underground River, Komodo Island, Jeju Island, Iguazu Falls, Halong Bay and the Amazon on this prestigious list. The new natural wonder is expected to increase the number of tourists heading for the Mother City by at least 20% according to independent tourism research company Grant Thornton. With 70% of this increased number of visitors expected to be foreigners, this could earn Cape Town as much as R1.4bn in revenue over the next five years.

The voting validation process is expected to be completed by early 2012 as the results are checked, validated and independently verified. Official inauguration events for each of the wonders will then be organised.

Table Mountain is one of the oldest mountains on the planet, estimated to be around 360-million years old. Given this fact, there is a sense that this honour has long been overdue, and there is an infectious sense of pride and excitement in Cape Town which is sure captivate visitors to the city.

The Taj Cape Town provides luxury accommodation in Cape Town along with breathtaking views of Table Mountain and fine dining experiences.

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.

Image courtesy of TSKVN

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.

Image courtesy of chintanmannan

An initiative supported by the City of Cape Town and Indian High Commission, the Diwali Festival was held for the very first time in Cape Town in 2009 and has since become a permanent feature in the Western Cape Province.

The heart of the Mother City will be lit up once again as the Festival makes its much anticipated return, reintroducing Capetonians to a variety of tantalising experiences which include the sights, sounds and tastes of India.

Celebrated globally with equal enthusiasm and zeal, Diwali or Deepavali, is a festival where people from all age groups participate. They give expression to their happiness by lighting earthen ‘diyas’ (lamps), decorating the houses, bursting firecrackers and inviting near and dear ones to their households for partaking in a sumptuous feast. The lighting of lamps is a way of paying obeisance to god for attainment of health, wealth, knowledge, peace, valour and fame.

In Hindu mythology Diwali celebrates the homecoming of Lord Rama, along with Sita and his brother Lakshmana, after a 14 year exile to Ayodhya.

Lord Rama had defeated the demon-king Ravana and in joyous celebration of the return of their king, the people of Ayodhya lit the kingdom with diyas (oil lamps) and burst firecrackers to light the pathway for Lord Rama so that he would find his way home.

Commonly known as the Festival of lights, the ritual of the lighting of clay lamps signifies this victory of good over evil, knowledge over ignorance and light over darkness.

Celebrate Diwali at Taj Cape Town:

Taj Cape Town wishes all a joyous, peaceful and blessed Diwali and invites you to experience the taste of the Festival of lights at both the Mint Restaurant and the Bombay Brasserie with special menus running from 24 – 28 October 2011.

Birthday wishes poured in from across South Africa and the international community and as part of the festivities, Tutu was serenaded by U2’s Bono and danced with the Soweto Gospel Choir. As tributes poured in from the altar, Tutu covered his eyes with a handkerchief, embraced by Leah, his wife of 56 years.

The service at St George’s Cathedral, where Tutu served as the Anglican archbishop of Cape Town until 1996, combined the ceremony of the Anglican High Mass, with incense, organs and ritual. Songs by choirs and the beats of African drums filled the cathedral during the two-hour service attended by family and well-wishers from across the globe.

Guests staying at the Taj Cape Town included HRH Princess Mabel van Oranje, founder and co-chair of the European Council on Foreign Relations; Holiness Lama Tenzin Dhonden,the Dalai Lama’s personal emissary for peace; entrepreneur and philanthropist, Pierre Omidyar,founder and chairman of the eBay auction site; Shannon Sedgwick Davis, partner at Bridgeway Foundation; and former Special Adviser to the United Nations, Lakhdar Brahimi as well as Veronica Mars star, Kristen Bell!

We’d like to wish Archbishop Desmond Tutu many more happy birthdays look forward to his signature warmth and good humour for many more years to come.

Image courtesy of Be the Spark

Image courtesy of Urban Adventures

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.

Image courtesy of Piano Piano!

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.

This year, Capetonians won’t have to travel all the way to Munich to experience the Oktober Bierfest as the Bavarian beer festival will be coming to Cape Town from 29 September to 1 October 2011.

The Oktoberfest is a two-week festival held each year in Munich, Germany during late September and early October. This 16–18 day beer festival is attended by six million people annually making it the world’s largest  fair.

The Oktoberfest has been held since 1810 and is an important part of Bavarian culture. The festival itself is held near Munich’s centre in an area named the Theresienwiese, meaning field or meadow of Therese, often called Wiesn for short.

Only beer which is brewed within the city limits of Munich is allowed to be served in this festival and upon passing this criteria, a beer is designated Oktoberfest Beer.

It has now inspired numerous similar events using the name Oktoberfest in Germany and around the world, many of which were founded by German immigrants or their descendants and modeled after the Munich event.

The Oktober Bierfest in Cape Town is cited to be a recreation of Bavarian beer festivals of old, transporting guests to the metaphoric heart of Bavaria where they can embrace the spirit of the festival.

For the first time ever, Capetonians will be able to enjoy Royal Bavaria Oktoberfest Bier, King Ludwig’s Munich Dunkel and Protea Edelweiss Krystal Weiss at The Village Green, Newlands Brewery.

With three Bavarian-styled beer varieties especially crafted by brew masters from South African Breweries Limited, beer fans and aficionados have quite the festival to look forward to. This includes a range of Bavarian trinkets on sale, mouth-watering Bavarian food, world-class entertainment and a live Oompah band thrown in for good measure.

The Taj Cape Town provides luxury accommodation in Cape Town and is home to the Twankey Bar were excellent craft beers can be enjoyed with fresh seafood tapas or a variety of oysters.

Image courtesy of Trevor Wilkins

If you’re interests lie in miniature remote controlled boats, inflatable dinghies, speedy powerboats, huge catamarans or even the ever impressive dragon boats, this year’s Cape Town International Boat show will have something for you.

Now in its 11th year, the show continues to provide everything water sport related that boat enthusiasts could hope for. It is an opportunity for boating enthusiasts to keep up with the newest trends and see the latest the boating technology the market has to offer.

This year, boats of all shapes and sizes will be on display and the Cape Town International Convention Centre will have enough boating products and exhibits to put your very own boat together from scratch. The line up of exhibitors will be showing off the latest in boat design and technical requirements, interior design, décor and finishes, from the very latest in gizmos and gadgets to clothing, safety equipment and maintenance products

The event is also more than just a showcase of boating technology. It also provides the chance to learn about water sports and maritime leisure pursuits.

The show attracts thousands of visitors each year to view anything and everything to do with their personal water sport passion and its presence in Cape Town, where Atlantic and Indian oceans meet, make it a unique and unrivalled boat show anywhere on the African Continent.

The Cape Town international Boat show takes place 23 – 25 September 2011 and the entry fee is R70.00. Included in the tickets is a water taxi ride down the V&A Waterfront canals to the North Wharf   where ticket holders can view the world’s latest designs in luxurious, top of the range boats and enjoy the entertainment provided. A water taxi or shuttle service will take visitors back to the CTICC.

The Taj Cape Town provides luxury accommodation in Cape Town in close proximity to the Cape Town International Convention Centre and a range of Cape Town attractions.

Image courtesy of barbourians

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.

The Taj Cape town is pleased to present the 5^th in a series of wine events which afford wine lovers the chance to taste some of the country’s best wines and meet the people who created them. The latest wine tasting and dinner pairing is scheduled for 29 September 2011 and includes wines from Genevieve, Iona Wines, La Motte, Paul Cluver and Steenberg .

Genevieve Méthode Cap Classique is grown from Chardonnay vineyards planted on deep riverside soil to create a refined mousse with fresh zesty citrus aromas. A great Overberg terroir, this vibrant mouth-filling MCC makes an excellent aperitif which can also be enjoyed throughout meals.

The wines of Iona have quickly made a name as being among the finest in the world due in part to their unique location in the Cape Winelands, on a mountain plateau and surrounded by the Kogelberg Nature Reserve overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Considered South Africa’s coolest vineyard site, grapes for Iona wines ripen up to two months later than other Cape vineyards and in perfect balance.

La Motte is home to some of South Africa’s finest wines, recognized internationally for their exceptional quality. The variety in terroirs make a unique contribution to the flavour components of La Motte’s wines and the quality reflects the greatest expertise in viticulture, combined with experience, passion and a creative flair in wine-making.

Paul Cluver is a family-run wine business is located in the cool-climate Elgin Valley and are recognised as pioneers of wine in the area with a focus on producing elegant wines that are expressive of the terroir.  The wine business also forms part of a larger holistic farming business which offers apple and pear orchards, a Hereford stud and eco-tourism activities including amphitheatre concerts, on the farm.

Finally, Steenberg is the oldest farm in Constantia Valley, generally considered to be South Africa’s premier wine growing region. This vineyard has developed a worldwide reputation for producing excellent Cape wines and the estate boasts a state-of-the-art winery, producing some of the country’s finest award winning wines.

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 Elle Decoration

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.

Images courtesy of Nederburg Auction

This year marks the 37th year of the prestigious Nederburg Wine Auction, showcasing the spectrum of award-winning and rare Cape wines created by the country’s most talented winemakers. It’s one of the premier events on the Cape Town wine calendar as local and international wine buyers bid for some of the finest wines created in South Africa.

The first auction was conceived by Lothar Barth, managing director of Stellenbosch Farmers’ Winery who was inspired by his visits to the winelands of Germany, where he had seen similar events. Together with marketing director Jurgen Burmeister, the opportunity to convince the world that high quality wines were being made in South Africa in general and at Nederburg in particular took root.

The very first Nederburg Auction of rare Cape wines took place in 1975 with 15 wines on offer by the five founding participants; Delheim, Groot Constantia, Overgaauw, Simonsig and Nederburg. The event proved to be an unforgettable experience for all involved with a total income of R237,000, for which 12,400 cases of wine were sold.

There was no hint that it would develop into the sophisticated gala occasion it has become today and critics were outspoken at the time that South Africa wasn’t ready for this kind of auction yet. Nevertheless, the auction was allowed to continue and grow.

Today hundreds of wines go through a stringent selection process to find only the very best wines for the auction. The selection panel consists of winemakers, viticulturists, Cape wine masters, wine consultants and wine judges and three groups of tasters preside at blind tastings to ensure absolute anonymity, impartiality and the integrity of the selection process.

The annual auction of rare and fine wines is held once a year, over two days, at Nederburg in Paarl. The 37^th Nederburg Auction is set to take place over the 16 and 17 September 2011.

The Taj Cape Town provides luxury accommodation in Cape Town and is home to the Bombay Brasserie where fine South African wines are expertly paired with the best in contemporary Indian cuisine.  Paarl is a comfortable 40-minute drive from the Cape Town city centre.

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.

Image courtesy of Magic Robot

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

The first Toffie Food Festival and Conference takes place at the Cape Town City Hall from Saturday 3 until Sunday 4 September and is considered by festival organizer, Peet Pienaar, to be more of a food salon than a food show, focusing on learning and forging food-based friendships and relationships as much as it does on food.

Produced by the same trend-making team behind the Toffie Pop Culture festival, guests can expect the two-day, dawn-to-dusk festival to be a cutting edge weekend of meals, tastings, workshops and food exhibitions.

The Toffie Food Festival is said to provide attendees a weekend to experience the quirkier, off-the-beaten-track side of food as well as create an intimate setting to experience meals, talks and tastes from some of today’s most exciting culinary experts. Visitors to the festival can enjoy s five meals and a variety of tastings, as well as access to an exhibition dedicated to spices from around the world, a cookbook and food shop, food stalls and artistic food installations.

Tickets are available through toffie@thepresident.co.za and there are only a limited number of tickets available. The exclusive festival is considered to be for serious foodies only and at R1500 a ticket, one can expect a small but focussed festival with the most creative food personalities to be found.  Among them, Julie Powell, the world’s most famous food blogger on whose life the movie ‘Julie and Julia’ was based.

There is also an authentic Argentine lunch braai between  13:00 – 16:00 on the last day of the festival (4 September) which is open to the public for R150 a ticket.

The Taj Cape Town provides luxury accommodation in the Cape Town city bowl and is home to the Bombay Brasserie where one can enjoy an authentic Indian culinary experience.

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.

Image courtesy of meshmar2

The Taj Cape Town is delighted to invite select members of the press to a brunch experience with a difference today. Our chefs will be coming out of the kitchen and showing our guests how to create what could be crowned as the best filled croissant in Cape Town.

Our guests will have their inventiveness and creativity put to the test.  After they’ve had a chance to roll and shape their own croissants, they will be challenged to come up with the perfect breakfast croissant filling from the range of fresh produce available at the Earth Fair Food Market in St George’s Mall.

Our panel of experts will sample the final creations and name the best filled croissant in Cape Town. The winning croissant will be added to the Mint menu for diners to enjoy in the future..

The event does have a serious side though, and will also be raising awareness of the Community Chest’s Winter Warmers campaign, with Taj Cape Town encouraging other hotels to join it in supporting the soup kitchens and shelters in the city.

The Community Chest Winter Warmers campaign appeals for donations each year of non-perishable foods and blankets. These are provided to needy communities through its network of 400 social development organisations working throughout the Western Cape.

The Croissant Challenge will also mark the 1^st year anniversary of the Taj Cape Town’s grand opening in August 2010.

In the last year we have been honoured in top hotel lists for business and leisure in the UK Sunday Times, Conde Nast Traveller and Centurion Magazine as well as won South Africa’s best unique spa concept in the Les Nouvelles Esthetiques Spa Awards.

We’re eagerly looking forward to another year in this stunningly beautiful and exciting city of Cape Town but for now we’re celebrating our first year in true Taj Cape Town tradition: good food, good cheer and a warm heart.

The Taj Cape Town provides luxury accommodation in Cape Town and fine dining experiences at the Bombay Brasserie and Mint Restaurant.

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.