Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Self-drive Holidays In Gorgeous Cape Town

Cape Town is known for its sheer variety of things to do and places to see. It is often referred to as ‘the world in one city’ for its array of cultures and landmarks that resemble a number of international destinations.

Cape Town offers so many wonderful places to visit and is certainly best explored by car, making it ideal for a self-drive holiday. Whilst Cape Town is a relatively small city, it is spread out and car hire offers much needed accessibility.

Basic public transport is available and adequate, but you may feel constricted by it. A lot of the public and privatised modes of travel won’t allow you to take the journey at your own pace and spend time in the places that you want to spend time in. It’s no surprise that car rental in Cape Town is so popular.
There is a wide range of car rental service providers in Cape Town, from small specialist businesses to leading international companies, so you are sure to find exactly what you want for your self-drive holiday.

Cape Town Self-drive Holiday Highlights
Because Cape Town is set along a Cape Peninsula, you are likely to find that some of your best experiences happen whilst you are en route to whichever destination you choose to visit that day.
Cape Town is home to some of the finest scenic drives in the world. Its routes allow you to truly get a feel for the magnificent flora that Cape Town has to offer.

Chapman’s Peak Drive is a windy coastal road. Drive along the steep cliffs and stop off at a number of points where you can look out towards the sparse ocean whilst enjoying a picnic.

Cape Point is a nature reserve with a great deal of unique animal and plant life. It’s a dramatic spot, offering panoramic views of the place where the Indian Ocean meets the Atlantic.

Camps Bay is a popular beach with tourists, locals and celebrities. Camps Bay offers a number of beachfront bars and restaurants for leisurely afternoons. The palm trees that line the beach road give Camps Bay a distinct a California-esque feeling.

Hout Bay is a small isolated valley, only accessible through windy roads. Enjoy the laidback maritime atmosphere and visit the quaint harbour, an ideal spot to buy fresh fish.

Ou Kaapse Weg is mountain pass that runs between Tokai and Noordhoek. Not only does it offer mountain-top views of the surrounding areas, but there are a number of stops where you can take walks on top of the mountain.

Victoria Drive is a route along the Atlantic from Camps Bay to Hout Bay or Llundadno. Thanks to it’s positioning, it’s a lovely road from which you can enjoy the tranquil sunset.

Other Great Places to Visit
If you decide to go ahead with hiring a car, Cape Town is just the beginning of your adventures as the surrounding areas have so much to offer. The local wine estates are of an international standard and offer serene breaks from the urban bustle. Enjoy wine tastings at a number of award-winning wine estates.

There are also a number of rustic towns that you can’t afford to miss.
As most of them are relatively secluded, they offer an old world charm that teems with character. One such place is Franschhoek. Franschhoek is a small picturesque French village set in the mountains. Apart from the lavish countryside, Franschhoek is home to some of the best restaurants that South Africa has to offer.

Cape Town is a treasure trove of sites and cultures that could keep you busy for weeks. By electing to take a self-drive holiday, you are certain to experience so many more aspects to such a great city than you would without your own transport, making your time in Cape Town a truly unique experience.

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