What will be the most beautiful city in the world? The nominations are many, often discounted. Sydney, New York, Paris, Rome, Rio .... definitely a good fight.
But after seeing
Cape Town, I can insert right in this particular ranking the Pearl of Africa.
Already its curious position, thus positioned at the far tip of the African continent, separated from the dall'Antardide only seems to be almost on the borders of the world.
But in particular
Cape Town offers everything you can ask a city: history, monuments, folklore, entertainment, natural beauty, sea, mountains, fauna, flora.
The story, though relatively recent, is appealing, since the first Portuguese explorers, including Diaz and Vasco de Gama at the end of 1400, continuing with the Dutch and the East India Company in 1600, the first to market with the local tribes, to continue with the French Huguenots and the English colonization of the 800, which have influenced the culture and the different architectural styles of the city, to finish with the most dramatic story of apartheid, with the imprisonment of Mandela in the Robben Island prison, off of the city.
The climate is delightful, the Mediterranean, with summer (our winter), where temperatures generally do not exceed 28 degrees, and winters are mild with averages around 15. Christmas is usually celebrated with a barbecue lunch on the beach. Often rises from the powerful wind, which in addition to clean up smog city in itself already saved by the great pollution, often gives a deep blue sky, which enhances the colors.
His natural position seems to be so artificially carved spectacular: between ocean and mountains, the city's symbol is represented by Table Mountain, a kind of huge monolith over 1,000 meters high, whose shape is rather reminiscent of our Dolomites.
From the center, a modern cable car turntable (rand 110 / € 14, closed with too much wind) to reach the top by providing a continuous 360-degree views: the panorama that can be seen from the top is unparalleled: it distinguishes the whole city, the coast , the surrounding mountains and allows for a walk in what has been transformed into a nature park.
But the high mountains, in just five minutes drive from the center you can reach the beaches set among the most beautiful in the world for the particular shape: it is Camps Bay, where a long white beach lined with palm trees is located on the slopes of the Twelve Apostles, a spectacular formation decidedly mountainous, formed by rocky peaks and green flanks. If the image you present to the eyes is fascinating, just as we should not be swimming along the Atlantic coast because the water temperature in summer hardly exceed 15 degrees. This is not the only beach available to residents of
Cape Town, many are also the beaches overlooking False Bay, whose waters are much warmer and allows a pleasant bathing, while continuing towards the south are all very fascinating which are located on the Atlantic coast, white and deserted.
Del is also an exceptional flora and fauna that characterize the area already in the center you can walk among squirrels in a pleasant park, the Company's Garden, created in 1600 to cultivate and supply ships arrived at Cape, and now is as a relaxing area surrounded by tropical plants and lakes, a few steps from the pedestrian streets of the center (there are also the major museums of the city).
But the great variety of flora of South Africa, and beyond, you can admire an impressive botanical garden a few kilometers from the center, created on the slopes of a mountain in a breathtaking scenario concerns Kirstenbosh Garden (R25 / € 3), with Themed routes even in Braille and a sculpture garden of flowers. Here you can admire the Protea, the flower symbol of South Africa, present in many species, shapes and colors.
Regarding the fauna, a few km from the town, towards the Cape of Good Hope, the main attraction is without doubt from Boulders, where you can observe a colony of penguins in their natural state that all year is in a white beach characterized by huge boulders in the ocean blue. A show in the open air.
And again, continuing along the peninsula, it is impossible not to bump into mountain zebras, antelope, baboons, ostriches. Then in the right season, from June to November, studying the sea you can see and admire the feats of whales and dolphins (all these years), directly visible from the coast without necessarily having to use a boat.
In the center, we proceed to visit its monuments and main attractions, briefly:
- The Castle of Good Hope, the oldest structure in South Africa, built to defend the city in the sixteenth century, and never attacked.
- Greenmarket Square, the central plaza surrounded by historic buildings housing a delightful craft market and several florists
- Old Town House, the old City Hall
- St. George's Mall, the most charming pedestrian street with shops and street artists
- Groote Kerk, the oldest church in South Africa
- Grand Parade, the largest square in the city, dominated by City Hall, the great Hall, where every Wednesday and Saturday there is a lively market
- St George's Cathedral, the Anglican Cathedral in the city
- Heritage Square and Long Street, with typical Dutch-style buildings and Victorian
- Signal Hill, a characteristic hill behind the harbor and vantage point of the city especially at sunset
- Bokaap typical Muslim district, inhabited by the descendants of slaves from the continent of India, now called the Cape Malay, with steep streets and numerous mosques.
Speech deserves the Waterfront: This is an old port and then abandoned renovated, now has become the most visited area of the city maintains the appearance of a harbor, flanked by numerous attractions, restaurants, shops, museums, a aquarium and shopping centers, all in a pedestrian area, a paradise for tourists and residents. Quiet swim in the sea seals. Here you can dine outdoors in the many ethnic restaurants (a full menu of fish in a restaurant does not exceed the average 15-20 euros, and many restaurants let you bring your bottle of wine bought elsewhere), or walk in peace and security shops, clubs and shows. Depart from the docks the boats to Robben Island, where you can visit the prison that housed Nelson Mandela for many years and many other political prisoners. Do not miss a sunset cruise in the bay (R70 / € 9) to see light with a particular city and Table Mountain.
Note particularly the kitchen: you can find restaurants of all cuisines in the world: not to lose at least once a typical Cape Malay cuisine, very spicy, does not allow beef and alcoholic drinks, especially a dinner to Africa Coffee: In this room you can taste all the specialties of the African continent, with the possibility of repeated quietly dishes more appetizing (specialty of Mozambique, Egypt, Ethiopia, Malawi, South African tribes, etc.).. Do not worry, termites and other fried dishes inedible for us are not in the menu ...
For the night the B & B: the Brenwin, an oasis of peace in 10 minutes' walk from the harbor, right in the center, with swimming pool surrounded by a tropical garden, breakfast that looks like a dining room, double (or triple), to 680 rand, about 85 euro a night.
City surroundings
The surroundings of the cities are beautiful:
Cape Peninsula, of which I have already mentioned the fauna, is a protected reserve about 60 km from the center. A funicular to reach the summit of Cape Point and admire a haunting landscape, with the angry ocean that scale the cliffs, deserted beaches and beautiful walks. A narrow path leads to the old lighthouse, and it seems to be suspended in air. Another street in the vicinity, leading to the Cape of Good Hope, which is listed as the most southern point of the continent and imaginary meeting point between the warm waters of the Indian Ocean with those of the cold (even true if the most southern point is located a few hundred kilometers to the east).
To return to the city, is absolutely not miss the panoramic road Chapman's Peak Drive, rightly regarded as one of the most ambitious constructions of the planet, entirely excavated in the wall of a mountain overlooking the sea, offering stunning views across the Peninsula, the 'charming bay of Hout Bay and Noordhoek, endless white beaches washed by crystal clear waters.
Another 50 km to the east separates the town from the Winelands, where it produces the now famous South African wine. In a very picturesque, surrounded by rocky mountains, rolling hills, mountain passes and typical towns (including Stellenbosh in Dutch style and Franschhoek), you can visit the vineyards and wineries typically held with the ancient manor houses. 10 rand (about € 1.30) are sufficient for the tasting of wines from any estate.
Do not miss Boschendal, built in late 1600, the elegant building of the former property of the Huguenots in France, surrounded by magnificent gardens.
All of a paradise then? For the tourist who does not go beyond what is described clearly, perhaps for the inhabitants of the Township blacks not everything is so rosy. The suburbs of the city, which tourists often visit, and not that the white inhabitants of the city not visit ever, are large areas of degraded environments, with shabby hovels, abusive and stored, where water is often shared by dozens of people. Despite an increased interest in recent years by the government, in most cases the social services are entirely missing, poverty and misery do not improve, and wherever we find the great posting from the development that is affecting the country and the interests of wealthy population. Is clear, there are affluent blacks, but are certainly the minority of people of color. At the restaurant hardly see a black than a waiter ...
The apartheid is over, the problems derived from it will continue for many years...