Top Reasons to Go to Cape Town

City Sophistication. Cape Town is a cosmopolitan city with a rich heritage that's proudly on display. It might be more laid-back than Johannesburg, but it has shaken off its sleepy, parochial air and now bristles with world-class shops and restaurants and cutting-edge art and design.

Lofty Aspirations. Fantastic Table Mountain towers over Cape Town and dominates the whole peninsula. Exploring the mountain is a must; you can either take the cable car to the top or hike up various routes.

Nature's Playground. Capetonians are proud of their city's stylish good looks and make the most of the mountain and beaches. In summer you'll find professionals shrugging off their suits as they head for the beach after work, surfboards, picnics, and sundowners in tow. In winter they bundle up against the cold and go walking, mountain biking, or running in the city's countless green spaces.

To Market, to Market. Cape Town's markets are the best in the country—informal, creative, funky, and with a good selection of both tacky and splendid African curios.

Historical Heritage. Cape Town is saturated with an extremely rich and fascinating history. At Robben Island you can stand in Mandela's old cell and learn about political and social banishment during apartheid, while the District Six Museum tells the poignant tale of the destruction of one of the country's most vibrant inner-city neighborhoods.