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Cape Town is a major international tourist destination and offers something for the most discerning visitor. With first rate restaurants, shows and theatres, a sophisticated roads and transport infrastructure and a cosmopolitan atmosphere, it is truly the Jewel of Africa.
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The city is linked by rail to the outlying suburbs, in fact the suburban line to Simonstown is possibly one of the most spectacular in the world. The track is so close to the sea at places that unsuspecting passengers occasionally get soaked by the spray of waves breaking on the rocks below. Stops along the way include Muizenberg which was once the home of Cecil John Rhodes, one time prime minister of the Cape and founder of the still mighty De Beers diamond empire, his cottage is now a museum and can be visited daily during the week. Kalk Bay is a fishing village which still retains much of its original character and has a vibrant night life as well as interesting shops which are open seven days a week, the town was first inhabited in the seventeenth century by shipwrecked seamen and deserters. Fish Hoek was until recently the only dry town in South Africa, the land on which the town was built was donated by Lord Charles Somerset in 1818 on the condition that their be no wine house on the property. |
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The end of the line is Simonstown, established in 1743 as a port, the town was taken over by the Royal Navy in 1814, under whose control it remained until finally being handed over to the South African Navy in 1957. The "Historic Mile" (twenty one of the buildings in St Georges street are over 150 years old), is a popular walk along pavements once trodden by Admiral Nelson. The Simonstown Museum has displays on the early history of the town, and is open to visitors daily except Sunday. The boulders beach penguin colony is one of only two mainland breeding colonies of the jackass penguin and also offers sheltered swimming. |
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CLICK HERE for contact details and booking information. |
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