Cape Town

Thanks to its Mediterranean-like climate, stunning mountainous backdrops and mouth-watering cuisine, not to mention winelands nearby, it's not hard to see why Cape Town is one of South Africa's most popular tourist destinations.

Known to locals as ‘The Mother City', there's so much on offer, especially for those of you after an adventure. The bustling city is full of thrill-seeking activities including scaling Table Mountain for incredible views over the bay, a tour around Robin Island - Nelson Mandela's home for nearly 40 years - and, for the truly courageous ones, there's the chance to get up close to a Great White during a shark dive in the chilly Atlantic waters.

For those who'd rather relish the laid-back lifestyle Capetonians are famed for, the sandy beaches await. You'll find the African penguins at Boulders Beach, and the ever-trendy Camps Bay is where the cocktail crowd hangs out every evening. Hermanus is also worth a visit, where you can sit back with a glass of Sauv Blanc an ocean view and watch the Southern Right Whales go by. Who said Africa was all about safaris?

While you're there

On top of the world
Take a cable car ride or hike (if you have the energy and one to three hours on your hand) to the top of Table Mountain and experience the spectacular views from 1,000 metres up over the city. The cable cars run until 10pm, so time it well and you could be there to catch one of the beautiful sunsets.

Vineyard adventures
Wine fan or not, the Cape's incredible vineyards are definitely worth a visit for beautiful rolling scenery and a touch of history. There are different regions, each with their own ‘wine route' to follow, with some of the oldest estates in Constantia Valley, Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Wellington and Paarl routes are equally popular (or should we say, delicious!). Prince Harry and Chelsy visited the Tokara Estate, so pop in en route and sample its finest.

Soak up the sun
With so many beaches in Cape Town - try a new one each day. The best are Blouberg's sandy white beaches, which have great surfing and long walks overlooking Table Mountain.

The full show
If you want the mountain, the sea, trendy boutiques and fabulous restaurants all in one setting, you'll want to put the V&A waterfront on your to-do list.