You’ve wined, you’ve dined, you’ve mountain-climbed. You’ve soaked up the sun and had your fun. What’s next, you ask? In our third and last instalment of What’s Hot in Cape Town This Summer, we help you get out and about!
Your holiday doesn’t have to consist solely of hiking and lazy beach days (though if it did, we wouldn’t object). There are plenty of activities for the more culturally inclined. If you’ve been missing your episodes of Downtown Abbey, or would just like a taste and feel of the roaring twenties, Spier Wine Estate offers an interactive staging of the world-famous novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, ‘The Great Gatsby’. Guests are encouraged to dress the part, so dust off your feather boas and shine your pearls. It’s like Shakespeare in the Park, except it’s Fitzgerald… in the Garden.
Not to be outdone, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, in additional to their popular summer concerts which feature talented local and international artists, is hosting the Gallileo Open Air Theatre which screens a different movie genre each week in the month. Sit out on the lush green lawns, under the starry sky and watch your favourite classic or documentary while munching on snacks and snuggling into a warm blanket. Sounds rather perfect to us.
What are your feelings about a Saturday tasting wine and perusing art in the Cape Wine lands? If they’re positive, we’re pleased to direct you to Glen Carlou Wine Farm for international wine tasting and an exclusive glimpse at owner and Swiss millionaire Donald Hess’s private contemporary art collection.
For art of a different kind, the V & A Waterfront is holding a magically macabre Body Worlds and the Cycle of Life anatomical exhibition. Developed by acclaimed, anatomist Dr Gunther von Hagens, the ground-breaking showcase displays real human bodies, flawlessly preserved thanks to a revolutionary method known as plastination. The exhibition is surprisingly child-friendly, so bring along the little ones.
If your miniature humans are feeling neglected, there’s a plethora of kid-friendly activities in Cape Town this festive season. We can’t mention the V & A without giving a shout-out to the Two Oceans Aquarium, which is perfect for the little ones to get up close and personal with a mean looking ragged-tooth shark or a chilled-out turtle. Feeding times are particularly fun.
If the kids are looking for something a little less wet and a little more…well… tall and spotted, the The Giraffe House Wildlife Awareness Centre in Stellenbosch is an amazing opportunity to see some of Africa’s greatest creatures without venturing far from the comfort of the Cape. The relatively new sanctuary Focuses mainly on African wildlife, and aims to provide a place for people to enjoy a family picnic in the fresh Cape Town air, whilst experiencing and learning about animals and conservation. Be sure to look up and spot Gerry, the friendly resident giraffe. Although it has been noted that you cannot take Gerry home with you… the Giraffe House will notice!
So many more summer activities await you in this vibrant city. Cage shark diving, mountain abseiling, a boat trip to Robben Island, the list is endless. It really is just a case of whatever floats your boat!
With so many sights, sounds and general merriment, you can see why we’re certain that Cape Town is the place to be this holiday season. For more great Cape Town inspiration, watch our video and contact us to start planning a tailor-made Cape Town itinerary.