South Africa’s most famous landmark, Table Mountain, is more than just a pile of rock in the bay. A protected national park, it has some remarkable features that make it a great destination for nature-lovers, deserving of more than just a quick cable car ride to see the view from the top.

The Franschhoek Valley is a outstandingly beautiful wine route.  With many of the wine farms sharing a French Huguenot heritage, expect to find vast French influence here and not surprisingly a Champagne-inspired sparkling wine sub-route, the “Cap Classique Route”.  The stunningly old-fashioned village of Franschhoek abounds with art galleries, antique shops, restaurants and boutique hotels.

The Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens were established in 1913 and today the 36 hectare garden merges seamlessly with the Table Mountain National Park. The expertly curated and meticulously maintained gardens are a real treat for the senses. The gardens trace the history of the area and celebrate the botanical diversity of the Western Cape, whilst also simply being a gorgeous place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.

The Constantia Valley is the closest wine route to the city, and no more than 20 minutes away.   This region is home to both the country’s first-born established wine farms and some of the newest.  Constantia wines are largely cool climate offerings, so look out for world class Sauvignon Blancs, wonderful reds and infamous sweet wine offerings.

Shopping at the V&A; Waterfront is a treat where you really can find absolutely anything your heart desires.  In the Victoria Wharf Shopping Centre, you will find all the major retailers as well as international brands. The Alfred Mall and Clock Tower Shopping Centre is where you’ll find a range of art, jewellery and specialty shops.  Watershed, the new home for African craft and design offers over 365 brands from 150 tenants for you to choose from.

Between the mountain and the sea, the old-fashioned village of Hermanus has been rated by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) as one of the twelve best whale watching locations in the world, and it is often regarded as the heart of the whale route.

Giant granite boulders break up the four beaches at Clifton, all accessible by steps from Victoria Rd. As they’re almost always sheltered from the wind, they offer top sunbathing spots. The most northern and longest of the beaches are Clifton 1st and 2^nd while, Clifton 3^rd and 4th are popular for families activities.

Spend the day driving, cycling or walking along Chapman’s Peak, a 5km toll road linking Hout Bay with Noordhoek – it’s one of the most spectacular stretches of coastal highway in the world. There are picnic spots and viewpoints. On the approach from Hout Bay look for a bronze leopard statue. It has been sitting there since 1963 and is a reminder of the wildlife that once roamed the area’s forests.

Ambulate along Sea Point’s wide, paved and grassy promenade is a pleasure shared by Capetonians from all walks of life – it’s a great place to observe the city’s multi-culturalism. There are kids’ playgrounds, a well-maintained outdoor gym, and several public art works that are worth taking the time to see.

One of the most stylish and desirable collections of contemporary African textiles, arts and crafts. You’ll find potato-print fabrics made by women in Hout Bay, Karin Dando’s mosaic trophy heads, Ronel Jordaan’s handmade felt rock cushions (which look like giant pebbles) and a wonderful range of ceramics and jewellery.