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Open Streets in Observatory
Fazielah Williams
This Africa Day, Cape Town’s vibrant locals and visitors will be taking to the streets ... the Opens Streets in Observatory, that is, on Saturday May 25, 2013. Inspired by Bogota’s Ciclovia and projects in other cities like San Francisco and Jakarta, Open Streets in Observatory will see the usually traffic-congested Lower Main Road collectively transformed from a car-dominated road to a people-friendly public space. -
Featured
Facebook Feedback Friday: Your favourite soup spots in Cape Town
With cooler weather setting in, it’s important to know where in Cape Town you can find some warm, delicious soup. So who better to ask than the fans of our Facebook page, I ♥ Cape Town? On Thursday, we posed the question: “Where do you go to have your favourite soup in Cape Town?” -
Featured
#InstagramDiary: the awesome architecture of Long Street
Long Street is one of Cape Town’s most iconic streets, and with the incredible variety of food, fashion, nightlife spots, book stores, antique stores, street vendors and international visitors lining the sidewalks, it’s easy to see why. But don’t let all of this distract you from one of Long Street’s finest features: the awesome architecture. -
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Your Cape Town Weekend: things to do from Friday 24 to Sunday 26 May, 2013
Fazielah Williams
Tick tock, tick tock … can you hear that? It’s the countdown to an eventful weekend in gorgeous Cape Town! From hilarious comedies to divine wine festivals and gourmet shows, there is plenty to see and do in the Mother City over the next 48 hours. Join me at the following events in Cape Town from Friday 24 to Sunday 26 May, 2013.
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Bon Jovi live in Cape Town: road closures and other important stuff
Do you hear that, rock music lovers? The early strains of You Give Love a Bad Name, the thunderous applause and the crazy screams of the crowd? Yes, Mother City fanatics, it’s time for superstar rock band Bon Jovi to perform live at the Cape Town Stadium on Tuesday 7 May, 2013.
Cape Town Tourism adopts a penguin for World Tourism Day
Jinga, Cape Town Tourism’s adopted African penguin. Photo by Skye Grove
Today, September 27, is World Tourism Day and the theme of this year’s celebration is “Tourism and Biodiversity”. African penguins are a familiar sight to Capetonians and visitors to our city alike, but it is alarming to know that the plight of these beloved seabirds is more critical than most of us realise.
Cape Town coffee shops pay it forward with suspended coffees
Cape Town, the responsible Mother City, is always looking for bigger, more creative ways of giving back to the community and now two of its sizzling coffee shops, Haas Coffee Collective and Bolo’bolo Coffee House, have found a heart- and body-warming way to do so – with suspended coffees.
(Hand) Made in Cape Town
We can finally say it; hipsters have changed the world. They might not know it, or even care, but these counter-culture kids helped steer a global movement – one that lauds responsible consumerism – to far beyond what was once, a fad.
An open apology to the Parlotones from a four-legged Capetonian
Like most Parlotones fans, I was horrified at the prospect of my favourite band relocating to LA. We will no longer see them at festivals or shows, and are losing a special talent to the US. Thus, when I saw The Parlotones featured in the Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts line-up for Sunday 13 January, 2013, I jumped at the opportunity to book tickets!
Cape Town welcomes #MeetSouthAfrica travel bloggers
Bloggers love South Africa – we know this from our #LoveCapeTown campaign. This campaign saw us bringing four international travel bloggers (@traveldudes @velvetescape @landlopers and @wildjunket) to Cape Town in July 2012 during a social media drive in which Capetonians interacted with the bloggers and their followers, telling the stories of Cape Town and her people.
Five things you didn’t know about Cape Town Railway Station
Much like New York’s Grand Central Station, Cape Town’s bustling railway station on the Foreshore is the arrival and departure point for local and international visitors, and a final destination for travelling employees, students and residents.
Seven reasons why Table Mountain is a worthy New7Wonder of Nature
Cape Town has a number of attractions to entice any would-be visitor to come to our shores, and locals to leave the comfort of their homes and venture out, but one of the Mother City’s most treasured possessions is Table Mountain.
With the mountain’s inauguration as an official New7Wonder of Nature taking place this Sunday, December 2, 2012, we’ve compiled a list of seven reasons why Table Mountain is by far a worthy wonder of nature. Be sure to join us at the inauguration at the switching on of the Festive Lights!
Discovering Langa – a photo essay
Langa, South Africa’s oldest township, was established in 1923 as part of the then Urban Areas Act. Similar to Nyanga, Gugulethu and Khayelitsha, Langa is one of the areas in South Africa that was designated for black Africans before the apartheid epoch. The name Langa means “sun” in Xhosa, but the name of the area is actually derived from the name Langalibalele – a famous chief who was imprisoned on Robben Island for rebelling against the government.
Send your Facebook profile to Cape Town: Awesome prizes up for grabs
By sending your Facebook profile to Cape Town in our My Cape Town Holiday competition, you not only stand a chance of winning the trip for real, but you could also be the lucky recipient of one of our many spot prizes.
Vote for Table Mountain
Voting for Table Mountain to become a New7Wonder of Nature closes today (Friday November 11) at 13h07.
Table Mountain has long been a muse/ model/ subject for our Cape Town. Live it. Love it. Flickr group! members.
The Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour 2013: preparing for a ride less ordinary
It is that time of year again – the clock is winding down to the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour on Sunday 10 March, 2013, and the kilometres are adding up on our bike and trailer. After negotiations with the organisers, the rules were altered and Damian Gower, my 14-year-old son who is quadriplegic, will be able to participate – towed in a trailer attached to my bike. We will be riding in support of the Chaeli Campaign, to raise funds and awareness.
Cape Town Named as One of TripAdvisor’s 15 Destinations on the Rise
Inspirational Cape Town continues to garner accolades from around the world.
This time the city has been named one of TripAdvisor’s 15 Destinations on the Rise, an honour that follows hot on the heels of Cape Town’s Villa Zest Boutique Hotel topping the TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice 2012 Top 25 Trendiest Hotels in the World Awards. In the Tripadvisor 2012 Top 25 Hotels in the World Awards, Derwent House Boutique Hotel in Cape Town came fifth.
Grand Daddy hotel: Nothin’ trashy about Cape Town’s award-winning trailer park
Cape Town’s quirky Grand Daddy hotel, with its trademark rooftop trailer park, has been recognised yet again for its unique contribution to luxury accommodation in the Mother City.
Fazielah’s top three weekend beach spots in Cape Town
I simply cannot contain my excitement when I think of a long, lazy day spent suntanning and relaxing on one of Cape Town’s beautiful, sandy, white beaches.
Combine that with a cold drink, sweet ice cream and the company of loved ones and you have my idea of a perfect weekend in the Mother City.
Do it in the dark in Cape Town: things to do to celebrate Earth Hour
Mother City lovers, it’s time to dim the lights and do great things in the dark in Cape Town for the annual celebration of Earth Hour on Saturday 23 March, 2013. Earth Hour is the largest mass global participation event, in which people the world over switch off their lights for one hour, to reflect on our impact on the environment and renew our commitment to protecting our planet.
Be safe … not sorry, this summer season in Cape Town
Summer in the Mother City is glorious ... it’s the time for family, friends and smiles, beaches, cocktails, picnics and adventure on your travels through Cape Town and its surrounds. We don’t want to be a wet blanket, but – as with any other city – you should take note of basic personal safety precautions to ensure a happy holiday.
It’s Responsible Tourism Week: How You Can Help to Make Difference
As the 2009 Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Award winner, Cape Town – the responsible Mother City – prides herself on being environmentally conscious through supporting like-minded causes and businesses, and celebrating the worldwide Responsible Tourism Week from February 11 to 17 2013.
Cape Town in summer – no better place to be
Cape Town is one of the most beautiful places on Earth and there is no better place to be this summer.
Tips on tipping in Cape Town
Tipping can be a bit of a grey area when you’re travelling. Who do you tip? When? And how much is acceptable?
So here are some guidelines on tipping in Cape Town, the Mother City:
Fresh fish shopping in Kalk Bay – Flickr pic of the day
As part of Responsible Tourism Week, a global initiative from February 14 to 18, 2011, we’ll be highlighting images that show people taking responsibility for their communities and the places they live in and visit. You can get involved by logging on to the global journal of practical ecotourism, Planeta.com‘s wiki and registering.
Give responsibly this festive season in Cape Town
Cape Town is an inclusive, caring city, and with the festive season now upon us, responsible tourism through the assistance of the less fortunate is at the top of our list of priorities. Having won the Best Destination category in the 2009 Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards, the Mother City knows a thing or two about caring.
Beach culture in Cape Town
There is no end to Cape Town’s white, sandy, sun-kissed beaches as they stretch along the Peninsula, circling the coast of Cape Town. For a cosmopolitan city boasting a world-famous flat-topped mountain and which is sandwiched between two oceans and three coastlines, it’s no wonder Cape Town has been awarded a number of titles.
Gemstones and jewellery: a Cape Town shopper’s guide
If diamonds are a girl’s best friend, then gold is her bosom buddy and platinum her soulmate. These are the lasting relationships that await the jewellery lover in Cape Town.
Your Cape Town weekend: Things to do from Friday 22 to Sunday 24 March, 2013
So, it’s the weekend, just after a public holiday, and you’re not ready to stop partying? That’s great news because there is plenty to see and do in sunny Cape Town. Join me at the following events in the Mother City this weekend and discover how you can see and do it all in just 48 hours in Cape Town.
Table Mountain inaugurated as a New7Wonder of Nature, festive lights switched on
The festive season kicked off in fine style this weekend and set the trend for what promises to be an amazing summer in Cape Town. Yesterday was a special day for Cape Town when our beloved Table Mountain was inaugurated as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature before Executive Mayor, Alderman Patricia De Lille switched on the festive lights in the city.
My Table Mountain National Park quickie
A quickie by definition, is a brief, passionate interlude that leaves you wanting more, but there is nothing brief, or unfulfilling, about a 36-hour weekend getaway in the gorgeous Table Mountain National Park.
World AIDS Day in Cape Town
Since 1988, World AIDS Day has been about raising money for, heightening awareness of, combating prejudice through and improving education around AIDS-related efforts. In 2010, Cape Town will be part of global efforts to raise awareness around HIV/AIDS, as part of both the (RED) and the Lights for Rights campaigns, by illuminating Table Mountain with red lights from 19h00 until midnight tonight.
The (RED) campaign raises money for the Global Fund, the biggest pot of money dedicated to overcoming AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, by co-branding products and releasing them in limited (RED) editions, donating up to 50% of the proceeds. One of the components of this campaign involves turning iconic landmarks around the world red. The initiative dovetails well with the Lights for Rights campaign, which places emphasis on “shining a light on human rights” in relation to HIV and AIDS, drawing global attention to the rights of those infected and affected by HIV.
Get cooking with cuisine courses in Cape Town
To truly experience the culture and people of a city one needs to indulge in local cuisine.
While most of the Mother City’s culinary offerings are steeped in Dutch and Malaysian culture – legendary curries, bobotie, koeksisters, milk tarts and samoosas – Capetonians also draw inspiration from the cookery of Greece, Morocco, Nigeria and America.