I still remember my first trip to Cape Town when my 16-year-old self declared with quiet conviction that the sky here was the bluest I had ever seen. In fact, I called it bluer than blue. I still believe that to be true. The sun, the sky and the colors hit differently in Cape Town. It is often voted the most beautiful city in the world and its nature is the reason why. Never has being stuck in rush hour traffic offered a more scenic backdrop than in Cape Town.
The “Mother City” continues to be South Africa’s poster child and draws the crowds despite it also being home to a huge wealth gap and feeling quite segregated in parts. But don't let that stop you. With all its problems, Cape Town is still a stunner, offering cultural diversity, incredible food and wine, and adventure mixed with a very relaxed lifestyle against an unforgettable backdrop of mountains and oceans.
The summer season from December to February is all the rage in Cape Town. However, I recommend that you skip the holidays as it is not called the silly season for nothing. Wait until after mid-January when schools have started and at least the domestic tourists have left. My favorite month is March when the days are balmy – the average temperature hovers around 21°C (70°F) – but the city and the beaches are a little less busy.
Don’t rule out the winter months either, especially if you want to combine your Cape Town trip with a safari in the Kruger or in KwaZulu-Natal. It won’t be beach weather, but you can still catch plenty of blue skies and enjoy cozy red wine tastings by the fire. Best of all, you can find great deals for accommodations and get a table at the best restaurants unlike the rest of the year when they get incredibly busy.
You can easily spend a week or two in Cape Town without getting bored. A long weekend is barely enough time to see the major sights, do a bit of souvenir and local handicraft shopping at the V&A Waterfront, and enjoy the beaches. Definitely take longer if you want to do a trip to Cape Point, Boulders Beach in Simon's Town or the Winelands as those will require more driving.
It’s also a good idea to add a few extra days just in case the weather, or rather the wind, doesn’t play along with your planned activities. In general, Cape Town is a great place to pretend you are a local – plan a day with a walk on the promenade, brunch at the market, a hike, a swim and of course, a braai, the beloved South African version of a barbecue, to end the day.
Cape Town’s public transportation is not the best and there are only a few areas that I would consider walkable as there is quite a bit of traffic and not many sidewalks. After dark, I wouldn’t recommend walking due to safety concerns. While
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While travelers have felt the pain of expensive airfare, a new report reveals a clever way that can help save money. The Department of Transportation regularly publishes a ranking of the cheapest, and most expensive, airports within the United States based on the price of an average round-trip ticket. In its most recent filing, the range of airfare prices varies widely from a low $90, to an expensive $1,600 ticket. Within the data, the ranking shows how driving a few extra miles can help a traveler save dramatically on their flight.
A major Florida airport has an expansion on the horizon. Tampa International Airport recently announced that its new $1.5 billion Terminal D will be anchored by Delta Air Lines, which will have access to at least six gates, and also operate a new airline lounge in the space. Delta currently operates a variety of flights from Tampa, including direct routes to its hubs in Atlanta, Boston, New York (JFK and LGA), and Minneapolis. It also operates an international route to Amsterdam, and will soon launch a direct flight to Austin, Texas.
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