Cape Town has been named as the most beautiful city in the whole world, and we visited for an action-packed weekend to see if it was true.
Watch our vlog clip for the highlights of our visit:
After a stunning drive along the garden route, we descended into False Bay and were immediately awestruck by SA’s very own member of the New 7 Natural Wonders of the World – the iconic Table Mountain.
The entire city is built around the mountain, and wherever you are, it is always there – towering silently above and embracing its people. So, of course we headed straight up to the top! The complete silence as you rise above the clouds is eerily deafening. The views are quite simply indescribably breath-taking and it feels surreal to be standing on top of the world. As we stood looking down on our little lives, contemplating the meaning of it all, I understood why people travel from all the corners of the earth to be there, at that magical space in the heavens above South Africa.
Although it was quite busy on top, it was easy to avoid the crowds, and we enjoyed hiking around and a picnic all by ourselves surrounded by mountain tops peaking out of the clouds below us. A quick trip back down the very impressive aerial cableway with rotating floor, and SA’s Mother City was waiting for us, with a plethora of activities to choose from – way more than can be fitted into one weekend.
Table Mountain is reason enough to make Cape Town one of the world’s top tourist spots
We chose to try out one of Cape Town’s newest top attractions, Hint Hunt – a team real life room escape game at the Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock, rated as Cape Town’s #1 activity on Trip Advisor. When we arrived, we were delighted to stumble upon the Neighbourhood Goods Market – a pop up street food and craft market which, luckily for us, runs every Saturday.
Vibrant colours, arty people and an array of international street food made the perfect spot for breakfast and we chose our different dishes (Belgian waffles for the kids, spicy fresh vegetable springs rolls for Ralph, and a breakfast egg and potato latke for me) and sat at the long benches made of crates and reclaimed doors and enjoyed our spoils.
Delicious street food at the Neighbourhood Goods Market
Hint Hunt was amazing! We were locked inside a room, where a computer screen counted down from 60 minutes as we had to work together to solve clues, find items, figure out puzzles and decipher codes to escape in time. We did the Zen room challenge and made it out with a few seconds to spare. Impressive for our family, as only 20-30% make it out before the hour is up! I guess it must be due to all the experience racked up by our kids on their iPad games. What’s actually in the room is a big secret, and we’re not going to let on – you will have to go see it for yourself.
Hint Hunt – the ultimate real life room escape game
Next up, Hout Bay – a picturesque harbour in a quaint village the other side of Table Mountain, where we enjoyed some of the best fresh fish and chips and a walk around the fishing boats. We took Chapman’s Peak Drive (named as one of the most beautiful drives in the planet) back to town, stopping along the way to admire the picture perfect seascape vistas.
Chapman’s Peak is one of the most spectacular drives in the world
Finally, the Two Ocean’s Aquarium at the V&A Waterfront. Wow – we loved the tanks filled with brilliant sea creatures! The giant tank with oversized sport fish was mesmerising, and our boys were enthralled with being so close to schools of giant beasts that they spend so many hours trying to catch.
The V&A Waterfront is well worth a visit – full of gorgeous shops, amazing restaurants and fascinating tourist activities, it’s a weekend of fun in itself!
The aquarium at the V&A Waterfront is superb
Cape Town, thank you for your stunning welcome – we can see why you and your attractions are consistently at the top of international tourist lists, and we will be back to discover more of your beauty in the future.
Hint Hunt
Bookings are recommended, but you can check their website for availability if you leave it till the last minute
hinthunt.co.za
Neighbourhood Goods Market
Open every Saturday 9am-2pm
www.neighbourgoodsmarket.co.za/cape-town
Chapman’s Peak Drive
www.chapmanspeakdrive.co.za
Two Oceans Aquarium
www.aquarium.co.za
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