Cape Town's name originated form the term 'Cape of Good Hope' when Bartholomew Diaz and other seafarers looked forward to the sight of Table Mountain, like an inn that promised hospitality and prosperity. The presence of Table Mountain in all its splendour still invokes this kind of emotion. Cape Town is steeped in a rich history and is a cultural melting pot with its diverse and vibrant character being derived from Khoisan and other African tribes from the North, and Indonesian, French, Dutch, British and German settlers.

Bustling and beautiful, the cosmopolitan nature of Cape Town means that one never tires of the multitude of experiences it has to offer. From pristine coastlines and a magnificent countryside offering a unique flora kingdom, to the many shopping malls, restaurants, jazz cafes, fleamarkets, theatres and glitzy casinos and nightclubs, Cape Town appeals to the nature-lover and the nightcrawler! Take a cable car up Table Mountain, or watch the unsurpassed beauty of a sunset at Signal Hill. Visit Canal Walk at Century City for a unique shopping experience, or be captivated and enthralled at Ratanga Junction, Cape Town's larger-than-life theme park.

The Cape Peninsula has a long and interesting history. The first people in the area have been traced back to the Prehistoric times, more than 600,000 years ago. Archaeologists have found- in a depression near the Cape of Good Hope - traces of the tools these Early Stone Age hunter-gatherers would have used. The Mid Stone Age inhabitants, dating from 200,000 to 40,000 years ago, also left evidence of life on the Cape Peninsula . There are many sites where artefacts dating from this period have been found and more than a 100 sites where signs of Late Stone Age habitation are evident.

The San hunter-gatherers or Bushmen relied on the sea for most of their food and are known as the strandlopers (beach walkers). Prehistoric rubbish heaps produced by the strandlopers are found in a number of caves around Cape Town and tell a great deal about the San peoples lifestyle. About 2000 years ago the Khoikhoi migrated south, displacing the San, and bringing with them herds of livestock. It was the Khoikhoi who were the main tribe when the Europeans sailed into Table Bay .

Beaches:

Clifton Beach
Not far from Cape Town city centre lies Clifton Beach. Clifton boasts 4 beaches separated by boulders; these are some of the most fashionable beaches in the country - again with pretty cold water! Some of the first houses to be built in the area were built as emergency housing after the First World War - quite a turnaround to today, when these houses sell for tremendous amounts of money! The area surrounding Camps Bay is a scenic and botanical reserve. The area is mainly residential but is well worth a visit to see some of the engineering feats that it must have taken to get the houses there! Rooftop parking is a common sight and look out for the lifts which carry residents up the cliff face to their homes. Read More...

Bantry Bay
Bantry Bay is next to Clifton and is also a mainly residential are with many large sea front hotels and large homes built onto the steep slopes. There was a terraced Botanical Garden in the area in the 1800's although this has vanished through years of building work since the first home was built there in the 1920's. Bantry Bay is named after Bantry Bay on the rugged west coast if Ireland. Read More.....

Hout Bay
A small distance outside of Cape Town lies Hout Bay. Jan van Riebeeks party discovered the area now known as Hout bay in the 1650's, the name comes from the many cypress trees which were growing in the area, Hout Bay means Wood Bay . Battery's were built at Hout Bay by the French to try and prevent a British invasion during the American War of Independence - remains of these buildings still stand today. As you drive to Hout Bay from the Chapman's Peak road you will see the bronze leopard mounted on rocks overlooking the bay, this was created by late sculptor Ivan Mitford-Barberton. Dwarfed by mountains on all sides, Hout Bay one of only a few areas in South Africa which is surrounded by national parks. The Hout Bay bird park is worth a visit, and down at the harbour boat trips are offered to seal island, whale viewing can also be enjoyed during the autumn and winter months. Read More ...

Noordhoek
Noordhoek means North Glen and has undoubtedly one of the longest, widest and most beautiful stretches of beach in the Cape , extending for over 8 kilometres to Kommetjie. It is too big to ever be crowded and is perfect for long sunset walks. The surf is excellent when the south-easter blows and always popular with surfers. The mountain slopes are very green, densely overgrown with coastal fynbos. Beach horse rides are popular and the village has a popular shopping centre as well as many cafes and restaurants.

Fish Hoek
Situated between two mountains and two oceans Fish Hoek is well known for its white sandy beach. Simon's Town is also famous for the fact that no alcohol was sold at shops or bars; this law was laid down by Lord Somerset in 1919n- you could bring and drink your own alcohol but were not able to buy any! This benefited the town as there was a minimal crime rate. Today many restaurants and sports clubs are licensed although there is no bottle store. Simon's Town offers the visitor many activities such as swimming, surfing, sailing, canoeing & surfing. International Life Saving events are frequently held here. Read More...

Camps Bay
Camps Bay lies at the foot of the Twelve Apostles, the mountain rampart that constitutes the western font of Table Mountain. Hedged in by Granite Bay boulders at each extreme, the enclave that is Camps Bay embraces a palm-fringed expanse of pristine white sand which looks as if it has come straight out of a Caribbean holiday brochure. Camps Bay have also many self catering holiday homes available. Read More...

Blouberg
Blouberg Strand is located between Big Bay and Table View Beach. The corner of the beach has some great rock pools to explore. From the beach you can look out into Table Bay as well as look back down the beach toward Table View. Read more...