Luxury Travel Experiences

By: AlterSage

The old docklands of Cape Town have been developed into a world-class shopping and entertainment complex known as the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, a place where designer shops and cargo ships share common ground.

The V&A Waterfront complex is the most visited tourist destination in South Africa. Its popularity among both tourists and locals is no surprise. The charm of a working harbour against the iconic backdrop of Table Mountain and a number of 5-star amenities combine to make it an ideal location to spend a few hours eating, drinking, shopping and taking in the vibrant atmosphere.

Dining and shopping:
Along with a stunning choice of restaurants, there are two shopping centres and two craft markets at the V&A Waterfront offering something for every shopper.

Whether you’re after a cheap and cheerful take-away or a decadent 5-star dining experience, you’ll find your needs well catered for at the Waterfront’s variety of eateries.

Within the Victoria Wharf malls, you’ll find multi-screen cinemas showing the latest releases, and with over 400 shops to choose from, you are spoilt for choice when in need of some exclusive retail therapy.

Things to do at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town
Use the Waterfront as a base to explore Cape Town:
During the day, an assortment of helicopter trips and boat rides are on offer to give visitors a different perspective of Cape Town and its surrounds.
If you’re interested in travelling to Robben Island – the infamous prison where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated for 27 years, these ferries and tours also depart from the Waterfront.

For a perfect end to a perfect day, take one of the many sunset boat cruises offered from the Waterfront. You’ll be sailed around to Camps Bay or Clifton where you can enjoy a glass of bubbly on the boat while a breathtaking African sunset turns the waves to fire.

Take a peek at life beneath the waves:
A major draw card for visitors to the Waterfront is the Two Oceans Aquarium. This state-of-the-art complex showcases 300 different species of underwater creatures, seabirds and of course the legendary predator tank. For scuba divers with a sense of adventure, diving in the shark-packed tank can be arranged through the aquarium. The Hop-On-Hop-Off Cape Town bus leaves from outside the Two Oceans Aquarium regularly and is one of the best ways to see the city. Make sure you pack your camera as this bus goes all around the peninsula.

Interesting landmarks at the Waterfront:
The Time Ball can still be seen at the V&A Waterfront. It is a signalling device whereby a ball is raised and then dropped down a pole at a specified time in order for ships’ masters to determine the error and rate of their chronometers whilst in harbour. The Time Ball Tower at the Waterfront was built in 1894 and is situated next the Harbour Engineer’s former residence. It remained in use for 40 years, after which new technology led to it lying idle for 63 years before being restored and officially installed for re-use in November 1997.

The Dragon Tree is another highlight of the V&A Waterfront. Planted next to the Time Ball Tower it is a species originally from the Canary Islands. Well over 100 years old, this is one of the largest of its type in Cape Town. Believed to have been planted by a sailor passing through Cape Town, the sap of these trees was once popular as a medicine to treat dysentery. Unfortunately, the Dragon Tree was severely damaged by storms in 2001. Today, the leaves of the tree have been cut off to allow the tree to regenerate.

Adjacent to the Nelson Mandela Gateway to Robben Island, the Clock Tower is a favourite amongst locals and internationals. The Victorian-style Clock Tower has always been an icon of the old docks and has become an important focal point in the Waterfront’s recent urban design. This was the original Port Captain’s office, completed in 1882. On the second floor is a decorative mirror room, which enabled the Port Captain to have a view of all activities in the harbour. On the bottom floor is a tide-gauge mechanism used to check the level of the tide. Restoration of the Clock Tower was completed towards the end of 1997.

Experience it for yourself:
No trip to Cape Town would be complete without a visit to this historic and cultural icon. The V&A Waterfront complex, steeped in history and restored to boast a number of modern amenities, truly showcases some of the best of Cape Town.

With no shortage of things to do here, it’s no wonder that the V&A Waterfront is so popular with visitors to Cape Town of all ages.

Article Source: http://www.travelarticlelibrary.com

About the Author: The Taj Cape Town offers luxury accommodation in Cape Town’s historic city centre. Among a host of top-notch amenities, including 5-star dining, Taj is also well located for easy access to Cape Town’s top tourist attractions, including the V&A Waterfront.

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Majestic Kings - Cape Town

Exclusive, luxury penthouse and suite. The penthouse has spectacular, uninterrupted, panoramic sea and harbor views as well as mountain views whilst the spacious suite has a small side sea view and mountain views.This beautifully restored historic building, the New Kings Hotel, built originally in 1873 and rebuilt in 1930, is situated directly opposite the picturesque fishing harbor, in the heart of the quaint Bohemian village of Kalk Bay, with its antique shops, art galleries, trendy cafes and restaurants.Centrally located on route to Cape Point via Simons Town, close to the Constantia Winelands, within striking distance to Kirstenbosch Botanical gardens yet only 30 minutes from Central Cape Town and Table Mountain.Whale watching while relaxing in the elegant stylish lounge or patio and the 5 min walk to the beach make it an ideal seaside getaway.

50% DISCOUNT.
Winter Warmer Special – 50% discount – Stay for 2 nights in our luxury 1 bedroom suite with fireplace, goose down duvets, bathrobes & Crabtree & Evelyn toiletries including breakfast and a bottle of wine. Price for suite ZAR 2750 for 2 nights for 2 people. Valid 01 May – 31 August 2009.

ENQUIRIES / BOOKINGS

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CONTACT DETAILS:
email:   info@bainesrivercamp.com
web: www.bainesrivercamp.com
phone: (+27) 33 3427793
fax:    (+27) 33 3429778
mobile:   (+27) 82 8064074

Whilst game viewing might be the prime reason for the more remote wildlife areas and national parks in Africa, Baines’ River Camp is very proud to be located in one of the last real wilderness areas of Africa where we offer some of the finest game viewing available anywhere in Africa.

Located adjacent to the Lower Zambezi National Park, the typical safari activities are far less contrived than in the more developed areas to the south. The day’s activities will commence with a choice of whether to explore the bush on one of our four-wheel drive game viewing vehicles in search of the big game, or take the equally exciting option of a game-cruise, travelling up or down stream with one of our experienced river guides in search of the elusive African Skimmer, a breeding herd of Elephants bathing or Wild Dogs drinking, or just taking in the ever changing moods of the river, it’s all in a day’s activity.

The Lower Zambezi area offers over 60 species of mammals and over 350 species of birds, along with a vast array of trees and differing habitats.

In addition to all that awaits you above, the famous African Tigerfish (Hydrocynus Vittatus) offers, pound for pound, some of the best sport fishing anywhere in the world. Whilst maintaining a very strict catch and release policy on all species caught on the Zambezi, our experienced guides will introduce you to this fierce freshwater predator.

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Anchored on endless horizons, flanked by the majestic Zuurberg mountains and situated on a 14 000ha private concession within the Addo Elephant National Park, RiverBend is a mere 45 minutes’ drive from Port Elizabeth.  Home to an abundance of wildlife including elephant, lion, hyena, buffalo, black rhino and a variety of antelope and over 300 bird species, RiverBend is an ideal malaria-free safari addition to a Garden Route holiday.

The eight luxury suites each have private verandas and some with private outdoor showers, which open onto the bushveld. The beautiful Honeymoon Suite boasts a private plunge pool with uninterrupted views. Inter-leading suites are available for families.

At the exclusive-use Long Hope Villa, families of four or more can enjoy total privacy and a true home-away-from-home experience. Three en-suite rooms accommodate a maximum of six guests and the Villa comes complete with a private chef and personal guide.

Children of all ages welcome.

Award-winning wine lists accompany delicious meals including seven-course dinners, hearty breakfasts and light and tasty lunches.

Pampering treatments are available in the Vitality Studio.

Personalised game drives are led by enthusiastic and experienced guides, who will ensure you have a truly memorable safari experience.

* *Welcome Awards 2008 Runner-Up**

** Best 100:  Retreats in Africa 2008**

*** The Good Safari Guide Nominee 2008 ***

** Proud winner of the prestigious Diners Club Platinum Award 2006 **

***Winner of the International Award for Tourist, Hotel & Catering Industry New Millennium Award Madrid 2006 ***

For more information, visit our website or contact us via email
Hosts: Marius & Lorraine Malherbe
Email: reservations@riverbendlodge.co.za
Website: www.riverbendlodge.co.za

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Viva La O!

Olaf Dambrowski has reinvented himself yet again. His Boutique Hotel nestled on the slopes of Lion’s Head, overlooking the Atlantic has been reborn after 4 years of Trade!

A space, charmingly transformed into a new streamlined sleek look. The black marble tiles from the front entrance, combined with the Water Feature lend a slight  ostentatious air, yet quietly enchanting.  They find their way to the under cover “outside” dining area, which in turns allow for interior and exterior interaction. This sets off the now industrial kitchen, where the designers have experimented on the intersection of design and graphic construction. The synergy of more is never enough is a sensual onslaught that will keep you guessing and coming back for more.

This manifests itself in the detail and deco in the individually styled rooms, each complete with Bose Docking station and state of the art LG Plasma Screen televisions.

Creature Comforts adorns, teases the weary traveler into the essence of a dream, where Home is not Home until you return to O’s. Every whim is catered for from a decadent Breakfast on the sundrenched patio overlooking the Atlantic to a leisurely swim in the indoor Heated Salt Water Pool or a treatment in the Spa Room.

Dinner 3 nights a week or on request, Lunch Menu daily.

Here serenity and exquisite taste are blended into a special experience, where just being is enough of a goal, a destination in itself.  The validations that O’s is indeed the Dolce Vita!

Awarded “One of the Top 101 Hotels in the World” – Tatler Magazine 2008
Email Address: info@oonkloof.co.za
Website Address: www.oonkloof.co.za
Skype Address: o.on.kloof

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