Cape Town Experience Itinerary B (8 Days) CTS001

Upon arriving at Cape Town International Airport, you will be whisked out to a classic Cape Dutch manor house amidst the beautiful vineyards and forests of Constantia Valley. This is Stillness Manor. That evening, enjoy the lazy sunset over the stunning views of both mountain and valley before your scrumptious dinner - a great way to mark your arrival in South Africa's Mother City and the start of your new adventure.
Overnight:  Stillness Manor & Spa or similar

After an à la carte breakfast at Stillness Manor, your Adventure begins with a drive of never-ending breath-taking scenery along the Atlantic Seaboard which stretches from Hout Bay to the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront (V&A). Your first stop today is the V&A for the Shimansky Diamond Experience. Discover a diamond’s journey from the Earth’s core to sparkling gem. From the depths of the Earth to the depths of the Ocean, your next stop is the Two Oceans Aquarium. Meet the creatures which inhabit both the Indian and Atlantic Oceans which meet at the southernmost tip of Africa. After lunch at the V&A Waterfront, you rise above the city in a rotating cable car to the top of Cape Town’s most iconic natural landmark – Table Mountain. At 3563 feet above sea-level, it’s one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. Settled within the Cape Floral Kingdom, one of only 6 Floral Kingdoms in the world, and the most diverse, Table Mountain is a place of myth, legend, and spectacular views! The Hop-On-Hop-Off bus which will take you to Table Mountain and back again hosts the rest of your day’s adventure and will allow you to experience all that cosmopolitan Cape Town has to offer. Dinner that evening will be at GOLD Restaurant, complete with a djembe drum performance and a 14-dish tasting menu. Each dish is based on African culinary traditions and storytelling.
Overnight:  Stillness Manor & Spa or similar

After a leisurely breakfast, you will be transferred to the V&A Waterfront, where you will catch a ferry to Robben Island - a place of great historical significance in South Africa. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Robben Island has undergone many transformations, but one of its first and last uses was as a prison. The most famous modern-day political prisoner was Nelson Mandela who was fighting for a new South Africa and democracy. Back on the mainland and after a late lunch, enjoy some leisure time at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront (V&A) before returning to your hotel. 
Overnight:  Stillness Manor & Spa or similar

Hermanus is a delight, home to an abundance of natural wonders. Recognised by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) as one of the world’s 12 best whale watching-destinations, it’s also home to the world’s only trademarked Whale Crier. Using a horn fashioned from kelp, the Whale Crier alerts the people of Hermanus to the arrival of the whales. Between July and November more species of whale are mating and breeding here than at any other time. They can sometimes be seen playing only 16 feet from shore. Hermanus is edged with an abundance of beautiful beaches, coves, rock-terraced caves and grottos. The perfect place for lunch while watching whales frolic in the bay. Spend the afternoon in the Harold Porter National Botanical Gardens surrounded by the iconic fynbos. There are 9000 fynbos species here and over 6200 of them occur nowhere else in the world. After a beachside dinner in Camps Bay, take a stroll on the beach before retiring for the night.
Overnight:  Stillness Manor & Spa or similar

Today's full-day tour of the Cape Peninsula begins in Hout Bay. Here, you can explore the largest bird park in Africa - World of Birds Wildlife Sanctuary and Monkey Park. From Hout Bay, a quaint village with a fishing harbour, a 40-minute cruise charter takes you past the famous Maori Bay Wreck, to the protected home of thousands of wild Cape Fur Seals - Duiker Island Seal Colony. After lunch in Hout Bay Harbour, you journey beyond Simon's Town to Boulders Beach, including a photo-stop at Chapman's Peak. The highlight at Boulders Beach is the colony of vulnerable African Penguins in their natural habitat. Then, take in the countryside en-route to the southern point of the Cape Peninsula. Here three promontories tower over 200 metres above the sea - Cape of Good Hope, Cape Maclear and Cape Point. The Cape Point Funicular Railway takes you to the old lighthouse and panoramic views at the summit of Cape Point. You will be returned to your hotel for the night where you will have dinner.
Overnight:  Stillness Manor & Spa or similar

What better way to start your day after a scrumptious breakfast than by heading into the Winelands surrounded by the breathtaking views of the Stellenbosch Hills. The relaxed atmosphere sets you up for a delicious day of food, cheese, and wine, all produced on the centuries-old vineyards of the region. Here is where you will find some of South Africa’s finest wines and beautiful architecture. Nestled among the green and fruitful vines are stunning examples of the area’s Cape Dutch homes. If you like cheese, then you’ll find the cheese tasting opportunities a delight as the region produces a vast range of both cow and goat milk cheeses. Following trails of flowers and wildlife winding their way through the Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve overlooking the Franschhoek Valley will help you build up your appetite once more as they lead to another foodie delight for dinner in a wine estate setting.
Overnight:  Stillness Manor & Spa or similar

A unique part of the tour will unfold today. While the other days in your tour have highlighted the beauty of the Mother City and its surrounds, today will focus on the beauty of its people. Living with the consequences of apartheid policies, the people you’ll meet have created singular communities in the townships you will explore. The five townships on the itinerary are District Six, Langa, Khayelitsha, Bonteheuwal and Gugulethu. Each one has a history and flavour unique unto itself. District Six, a vibrant community of different races and beliefs created by former slaves in 1833, saw the destruction of homes and the forcible removal of 60 000 residents in the 1970s to the barren outlying areas of the Cape Flats. Langa, the oldest black township in South Africa welcomes you to visit a school creche to meet the children and discover their challenges and victories despite their circumstances. A local family in Khayelitsha will be your hosts for lunch. The Bonteheuwel township is a former so-called coloured township with deep roots in the Cape-gang culture. In Gugulethu you will visit the Gugulethu Seven Memorial and the Amy Biehl Memorial. Your next experience is found on the slopes of Table Mountain. The first of its kind to be declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and 2015’s International Garden of the Year is the famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens whose 528 hectares of grandeur and beauty are almost unmatched.
Overnight:  Stillness Manor & Spa or similar

Depending on your schedule, enjoy a healthy and filling breakfast at the hotel or at the Cape Town International Airport before flying home or onward to another adventure on your vacation.