Relaxing on the terrace of the Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa it’s hard to imagine a more breath-taking spot in all the world. On one side you have the towering peaks of the Twelve Apostles mountains stretching to the heavens, while on the other the sun sets on endless Atlantic rollers that are alive with mighty whales and playful dolphins.
The majestic pinnacles of the Twelve Apostles are part of the Table Mountain National Park, which surrounds the hotel. The park, known for its rich biodiversity, is home to about 2,000 species of plants (more than the number found throughout the entire British Isles), most of them fynbos, which forms one of the world’s six plant kingdoms all on its own. We’ll be happy to provide you with maps, and a delicious picnic!
Despite the awe inspiring natural setting the bustling cosmopolitan city of Cape Town is only 15 minutes away via our complimentary car transfer service – quicker still if you use our helipad.
The V&A Waterfront is South Africa’s most popular destination, attracting millions of visitors every year with its vibrant combination of shops, restaurants, nightspots, tourist attractions and museums in the city’s historic harbour.
If you’re looking for buzz, excitement and an excuse to stay out all night, head for Long Street, Cape Town’s party district. Bo-Kaap is not to be missed either - the spiritual home of the Cape’s Muslim community it is one of the city’s most colourful suburbs, with plenty of restaurants serving the spicy Cape Malay cuisine. De Waterkant is equally popular, a trendy area with a village vibe that’s reminiscent of London’s Soho and New York’s Greenwich Village.
Cape Town also boasts a wealth of art galleries. The South African National Art Gallery has outstanding collections of African, British, French, Dutch and Flemish art dating from colonial to modern times, but there are over a hundred more galleries to choose from!
The amazing 360° views from the top of this 3563 ft mountain plateau, spanning the city, ocean, Robben Island and national park, is undoubtedly one of the world’s greatest wonders. A cable car will take you there in just 5 minutes or you can spend several hours taking one of the scenic hiking trails.
Covered in endemic fynbos, it boasts a wealth of picturesque bays, beaches, rolling green hills and valleys. It’s within the Cape Floral Region, a World Heritage Site, and as well as offering a fascinating profusion of vegetation there are huge numbers of pelagic birds as well as zebra, eland, and the many species of reptiles and small mammals.
South Africa’s world-famous national botanical garden, set against the backdrop of Table Mountain and Devil’s Peak, and home to more than 22,000 indigenous plants - part of the Cape Floral Kingdom
Just over 5 miles offshore from Cape Town the island was declared a World Heritage Site in 1999, and over the centuries has been used as a prison, a hospital, a mental institution, and a military base. It is most famous for being a political prison during apartheid. Nelson Mandela spent 18 years of the 27 years he was imprisoned on Robben Island. Tours depart daily from the V&A Waterfront.
A tour of the Western Cape wine growing regions is immensely rewarding – discover wonderful natural landscapes, delve into a wealth of history and heritage as well as tasting some of the world’s finest wines.
In Cape Town itself the Constantia Valley is home to some of South Africa’s oldest and most famous estates. Durbanville and the Helderberg also offer excellent wine experiences. If you venture further from Cape Town, the regions of Stellenbosch, Paarl, Wellington, Franschhoek and Robertson offer a multitude of exceptional wineries.
The region boasts many gorgeous beaches, including those at Clifton, Camps Bay & Llandudno. Blouberg beach, is the place to take picture-postcard shots of Cape Town and Table Mountain and it’s also a great place to go surfing windsurfing and kite surfing – the steady breezes and large waves attract enthusiasts from all over the world.
Adrenalin junkies can indulge in a spot of cage diving with the fearsome Great White Sharks – even watching from the boat is a thrilling experience!
From June to November the seas off Cape Town are great for whale watching – you can see them from the shore, or get up close in a boat.
Boulders Penguin Colony is also terrific fun – one of the very few places in the world where you can get this close to a breeding colony of penguins, swim up to them in the sea and enjoy their private sandy beach.
Then there’s Two Oceans Aquarium on the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, with more than 3000 marine creatures on view – including sharks, turtles and penguins the unique marine life of the Atlantic and Indian oceans.