Experiencing Cape Town, "The Tavern Of The Seas"

by Ben Pate

Often referred to as the "Mother City", Cape Town, South Africa is the largest metropolitan area in the entire continent of Africa. This city can provide everything any vacationer could want from beautiful beaches to hustling city life. It gets its name because of it's location on the Cape of Good Hope which also make it the southern most city in Africa. All international travel requires a passport so be sure you get your travel documents in order before you travel. And emergency passport services are as convenient as your home computer by accessing an online passport website.

The weather of Cape Town is influenced by its location on the Cape of Good Hope making it very important that you carefully plan your travel dates. Spring occurs during the months of October and November but April and May are also very pleasant and travel during these later months can offer great savings with accommodations and dining. The peak summer or hot season is December thru March so you might want to avoid this time of year unless you are primarily going to Cape Town for the water sports it provides.

A great introduction to Cape Town can be had by visiting Bo-Kaap, an upscale residential area with much more than just beautiful houses. Populated by mosques, beautiful streets and food vendors, it is easy to see why this area provides a warm welcome to the visitors. The Victoria and Alfred waterfronts have become well know for their seal population as well as their dining and shopping opportunities.

The single most famous landmark of Cape Town is Table Mountain, a sight recognizable from anywhere in the city. Obviously, the top of this mountain would grant you the best view, and luckily, there is a way to do just this. The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway takes you up the side of the mountain, giving you a completely panoramic view of the vast city. Traveling to the top, a short walk from where you're dropped off, you can get the best view of the city around.

No trip to Africa would ever be complete without seeing some wildlife and you will have plenty of opportunities to do just this during your visit to Cape Town. Many wild animals including baboons and zebras inhabit the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. There are also beautiful beaches located here and the sea life you can sometimes see from the shore is incredible. The Two Oceans Aquarium provides sea life in captivity but a scuba diving experience will bring you up close and personal with rays, turtles and sharks. Table Mountain National Park and the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station and Nature Reserve are also places of interest.

All international travel requires a passport so be sure to tend to all your passport needs before attempting travel to Cape Town. Online passport websites stand ready to meet all your needs and if you need a mutilated pasport replacement, this can be handled is as little as 24 hours.

Experiencing Cape Town is an enormous task, but one you really shouldn't miss out on. There really is something for everyone in Cape Town, and it's just up to you to find it. Once again, make sure you have a passport. Go online to access these services, where you can get a replacement for mutilated American passport or any other of their emergency United States passport services and get traveling today.

Published October 15th, 2010

Filed in Recreation