London/UK News Profile: Cape Town World's Best!!

From the Telegraph newspaper in London/UK yesterday, they have this headline: "25 reasons to visit South Africa right now". The sub-head notes: "With the pound hitting an all-time high against the rand, it has never been cheaper to visit South Africa. But there's more to the country than good value" This profile offers lots of ideas, suggestions, pictures, etc., for reasons as to why people should be visiting this nation, Cape Town, etc.

This in-depth listing makes things there seem so wonderful. Glad that we are scheduled to depart Jan. 26 and arrive in Cape Town Jan. 28. It does take some time and patience for getting there. Seems, however, that it will be worth it, right?

Among the reasons cited are: "As Britain prepares for winter – with predictions this week that we’re facing three months of storms – the southern hemisphere is enjoying the start of summer. " It gets cold in the midwest of our country and we like a plan to go south at this time of the year.

This story makes this bold statement: "Cape Town is the world’s best city!" They cite: "So say Telegraph Travel readers. 'You really can’t overstate the case for visiting Cape Town,' says Pippa de Bruyn, a resident of the city and author of our expert guide. 'First, there’s the in-your-face beauty of a craggy mountain range that drops precipitously into a glittering sea, its flanks carpeted in green. Then there’s the pristine white beaches lapped by – it must be said – a chilly Atlantic, their curves defined by giant granite boulders to bake on, and burbling mountain streams in dappled forests.' "

This story cited "Eight World Heritage Sites". They listed: Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park, Robben Island, Richtersveld desert, Mapungubwe, Cape Floristic Region, iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Vredefort Dome and "Cradle of Humankind", known for its unique wealth of hominid fossils.

Below are five different South Africa pictures that I pulled up from the Bing website. The pictures tied in with what posted on this story that helped inspire me to added some visuals for this CC Board posting. After our early 2016 visit, I will have many more pictures to share on these CC Boards.

Full story at:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/africaandindianocean/southafrica/11988578/25-reasons-to-visit-South-Africa-right-now.html

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

For details and visuals, etc., from our July 1-16, 2010, Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise experience from Copenhagen on the Silver Cloud, check out this posting. This posting is now at 188,864 views.

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

Here is an amazing view from the Bing website selection that seems to sum up the drama in and around Cape Town with its Table Mountain, the coastal areas, their Cable Car ride/views, etc. Also below is a night shot of their main harbor/shopping/dining areas, etc.:

This London newspaper profile had a nice picture about the penguins at Boulders Beach south of Cape Town. Inspiring and fun??!! Like this cute picture from Bing? Visiting here and seeing these penguins is on our schedule. The second shows an interesting elephant action view. Looking forward to seeing lots of great wildlife in South Africa, including the Big Five!:

Terry, we love Cape Town.

I don't ever think there is a "best" city or at least that comes down to each individuals opinion but we have enjoyed each of our visits there.

Keith

Terry, we love Cape Town. I don't ever think there is a "best" city or at least that comes down to each individuals opinion but we have enjoyed each of our visits there. Keith

Appreciate the good and wise comments from super savvy Keith. Yes, we are looking forward to Cape Town and South Africa. It is right at two months as of today till we depart for Cape Town and South Africa. The excitement is building!!

Don't be shy! Please post any other posts, tips, ideas, secrets, etc., that can be share to benefit us and/or others planning South Africa trips in the future.

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Enjoyed a 14-day, Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Sydney to Auckland adventure, getting a big sampling for the wonders of "down under” before and after this cruise. Go to:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

for more info and many pictures of these amazing sights in this great part of the world. Now at 126,726 views for this posting.

From the London/UK Telegraph newspaper earlier this month, they have this headline: "New Zealand ahead in battle to be the world's best country" with these highlights: "More than 20,000 have already voted in Telegraph Travel's annual awards - but which country do you think is the greatest on Earth? There are 14 categories in all, each voted for by readers, but perhaps the most prestigious is the award for the world's best country."

South Africa is, so far, running in third place behind New Zealand and Maldives. Also in the top ten, in order after South Africa are: Namibia, Japan, Australia, Burma, Tanzania, Botswana and Mauritius. In their poll for the best city in the world, Cape Town has been the top winner for the past three years among their readers.

Full story at:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/australiaandpacific/newzealand/12000386/New-Zealand-ahead-in-battle-to-be-the-worlds-best-country.html

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

From our Jan. 25-Feb. 20, 2015, Amazon River-Caribbean combo sailing over 26 days that started in Barbados, here is the link below to that live/blog. Lots of great visuals from this amazing Brazil river and these various Caribbean Islands (Dutch ABC's, St. Barts, Dominica, Grenada, etc.) that we experienced. Check it out at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2157696

Now at 32,734 views for these postings.

From the Fairfax newspapers in New Zealand and Australia tomorrow, they have this headline: "Expat Tales: A South African sojourn" about a "down under" native who moved to Cape Town in 1997 and is now an expert on tourism in South Africa.

On the question of "What are the greatest advantages to living there?", she said about Cape Town: "The weather, it's glorious. I love living here because it's got a really cosmopolitan vibe and the food and wine are fantastic. You can live very well here for less than in New Zealand. Cape Town is pretty special and we are lucky to have beaches, mountains, and beautiful countryside all in one area"

Among her other key tips, comments, ideas: "South Africans really do love their meat, so boerewors (a type of sausage) is pretty popular. The shopping is very international. The Waterfront is a great place for that and it has good restaurants and atmosphere. If you are looking for more boutique South African designers then Kloof Street, Long Street, Bree Street, and Loop Street are good places to look. There are also a lot of weekend markets where smaller designers sell their goods. If you are coming to Cape Town for the first time then you have to go up Table Mountain. Driving around the Cape Peninsula is a fantastic day trip and there are some great restaurants along the way."

Full story at:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/kiwi-traveller/74821522/expat-tales-a-south-african-sojourn

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Enjoyed a 14-day, Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Sydney to Auckland adventure, getting a big sampling for the wonders of "down under” before and after this cruise. Go to:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

for more info and many pictures of these amazing sights in this great part of the world. Now at 128,603 views for this posting.

From the London/UK Telegraph newspaper yesterday, they have this headline: "20 destinations you must visit in 2016". This includes tips, ideas and details for Cape Town.

Here are a few of the highlights about this much loved South African town: "This is a city that has always had a lot to offer – clinging to the slopes of a mountainous peninsula that curves like a crooked finger into the bracing Atlantic, nature is ever present. Everywhere you go, the food is good, the service friendly and the bill always cheap. The rand depreciated by around 30 per cent in 2015, which means regular visitors to Cape Town have seen their holiday costs slashed by a third. You can eat Michelin-star standard meals for the price of your average gastropub grub"

Looking forward to arriving in Cape Town on Jan. 28. Lots of exciting options there and nearby.

Full story at:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/12063983/20-destinations-you-must-visit-in-2016.html

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

Did a June 7-19, 2011, cruise from Barcelona that had stops in Villefranche, ports near Pisa and Rome, Naples, Kotor, Venice and Dubrovnik. Dozens of nice visuals with key highlights, tips, comments, etc. We are now at 207,539 views for this live/blog re-cap, including much on wonderful Barcelona. Check these postings and added info at:

http://www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1426474

From the New York Times Travel Section from two years ago, they had this headline: "Places to Go in 2014" with Cape Town rated as their top/best choice for that year.

Here are some of their story highlights about Cape Town at that time: "When Nelson Mandela was incarcerated at Robben Island prison, he found inspiration in Cape Town. 'We often looked across Table Bay at the magnificent silhouette of Table Mountain,' he said in a speech. 'To us on Robben Island, Table Mountain was a beacon of hope. It represented the mainland to which we knew we would one day return.' Cape Town’s importance to Mandela will doubtless draw many visitors in the wake of his death. The country has transformed itself since Mandela’s imprisonment. Many in Cape Town have been grappling with that challenge, including its creative class, which has been examining whether inspired design can solve some of the issues stemming from years of inequality. The city formally takes up that issue this year during its turn as World Design Capital. Cape Town is celebrating design in all its forms. Part of the lineup are locals seeking to rejuvenate impoverished black-majority townships. Cape Town is reinventing itself, and the world is invited to its renaissance."

Full story at:

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/01/10/travel/2014-places-to-go.html

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

If Venice is one of your future desires or past favorites, look at this earlier posting for many options and visual samples this city that is so great for "walking around", personally seeing its great history and architecture. This posting is now at 55,674 views.

Venice: Loving It & Why??!!

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1278226