If you want to get a good understanding of this vibrant city, Cape Town, then this is the perfect tour.
It focuses on those aspects that form the foundation of the Cape’s colourful history – Table Mountain, the Malay culture, precious stones and gold! Begin your day with a visit to Table Mountain. The level but rocky summit provides breathtaking views over the City with Table Bay spread out below. From those early seafaring days, the City of Cape Town developed, and you will be able to trace some of the city’s history with a fascinating guided tour.
Drive through the city along Adderley Street past the statues of Jan van Riebeeck and his wife, past the Cultural History Museum and statue of Jan Smuts, onto St George’s Cathedral, up Queen Victoria Street and continue to the Houses of Parliament. Take a stroll through the Company gardens, originally laid out in 1652 by Jan Van Riebeeck as a vegetable garden to provide fresh produce for the Dutch East India Company ships. Travel down Strand Street and up to the Malay Quarter for a brief visit to the Bo-Kaap Malay Museum. This house is furnished in the style of a 19th Century Muslim home, with a collection of photographs and personal effects. Learn the intriguing story of how the descendents of slaves brought from Indonesia and Malaysia by the Dutch East India Company, have over the centuries established their own culture in this Bo-Kaap community.
If you are on a guided tour then a walking tour will be conducted and interaction with the local people and photo opportunities will be abundant. Continue with a short walk uphill towards the oldest burial grounds “Tana-Buru”, where you will be able to enter the “Shrines of the Saints”. Enjoy lunch at a local Malay restaurant The afternoon is completed by a visit to a jewellery manufacturer at the foot of Lion’s Head in the heart of the Bo-Kaap. On a guided tour through the art deco style building, you will see diamond cutting, gold chain manufacture and a platinum and gold workshop. Expert staff will educate you on all the aspects of diamonds, from cutting, through to grading and evaluation. The impressive showroom boasts a vast display of diamonds, jewellery and choice handcrafted African curios. Personalised jewellery can be created within 24 hours and delivered worldwide.
At the end of the afternoon either end up at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront for more retail therapy! Or return to your hotel.
For more information contact African Sands