Summer is finally on the horizon and all you can think about is where you’re going to spend your vacation. From lounging on one of Durban’s pristine beaches to sleeping beneath the stars above the Karoo National Park, your options for adventure this season are infinite. However, there’s one destination that continues to hold the number one spot in your wanderlust-filled heart: Cape Town. If you’re going to travel anywhere this summer, it should be Cape Town.
The Mother City is the southernmost city of the African continent and the second-largest city in South Africa. It has one of the most extraordinary displays of nature and culture. It’s home to the famous Cape of Good Hope where you’ll get a thrilling glimpse of where the Atlantic meets the Indian Ocean. There are a lot of B&B’s, hotels and self-catering accommodations in Cape Town that you can choose from.
Here are a few places in and just outside Cape Town that you simply must visit this summer.
This stunning B&B is situated 25 minutes from Cape Town. The rooms open up to a huge, indigenous garden with a big pool. Tarragona is very homey and relaxed with a cosy and welcoming atmosphere, making it ideal for kids (and parents). They have board games, puzzles, kids books and outdoor games like badminton and swing-ball for the family to relax in the garden together. You’ll feel right at home as soon as you step in.
They offer a variety of fully furnished, self-catering cottages for a perfect weekend break. There is a river and jetty on the edge of the village with canoe rides or swimming on offer. Visit the country market on Saturday mornings for fresh produce. You can also experience the family-friendly restaurants in the area. Some cottages are pet friendly with enclosed gardens.
If you want proper country life, then this is a must. With family suites, cottages and two pools on site, your kids will love this spot. Visit the transport museum, old post office and Matjies Museum for endless entertainment and exploring. The hotel has big landscaped gardens, a river and ducks. You can also visit Laingsburg next door to check out the flood museum. Keep the kids entertained with the rich history and ghost stories surrounding this little village.
This beautiful hotel offers an enticing blend of contemporary urban style and inner-city excitement, surrounded by the natural beauty for which Cape Town is famous. The Rockwell All Suite Hotel’s spacious, self-catering suites allow you to enjoy the comfort of their rooms throughout the day. Outdoor entertaining is equally attractive, with views of Table Mountain, Signal Hill and the Cape Town harbour. This magnificent hotel ensures that every guest is able to experience Cape Town’s warm and friendly hospitality right at their hotel doorstep.
Just an hour’s drive from Cape Town, you’ll love Old Mac Daddy’s old refurbished airstream trailers with quirky decor. There’s a dam on the property, several wine farms nearby and two jungle gyms, a pool and a kids’ entertainment room on the property. A must-see for a weekend escape with a difference.
You’ll definitely fall in love with Grootbos as soon as you arrive. With a giant kids (and teens) gaming room, projector TV, endless entertainment, games and activities you won’t be able to fit it all in. Plant a tree in the forest, take a dip in the pool, visit the petting farm, take a horseback or pony ride, picnic on the beach or explore the ancient caves on a guided tour. It’s certainly not a budget break, but almost all of your favourite activities are included in the room rate.
Kids love ships and they’d be enthralled by this experience. MSC has recently upgraded their children’s facilities to make it more family-friendly. The ship now even has more balcony cabins, more spacious public areas and a greater choice of restaurants. It also have new clubs dedicated to younger guests, including the outdoor spray park with exciting waterfalls and splashy water slides. This ship also has special kids’ areas equipped with LEGO products. MSC Sinfonia will only arrive in Durban late in 2016 and cruises from Cape Town in early 2017, so this is a planning-ahead adventure to have in your sights.
The Table Bay hotel has a direct entrance to the V&A Waterfront, which hosts countless shops, movies, restaurants and cinemas. You can explore the harbour with a delicious ice cream cone. You could also take a cruise to Robben Island. The Table Bay Hotel has loads of kiddies activities on offer during the school holidays and have a gorgeous pool and jacuzzi spa for kiddie fun. Treat mom to a spa session while the kids explore the endless entertainment on offer.
From beaches and bushes, to rock climbing and kayaking – go out and explore. Wherever you find yourself this summer, make sure to make it an adventure of a lifetime.
