Romantic Holidays in Cape Town

Cape Town is a wonderful destination for couples beginning a new relationship or for anyone looking to rekindle old romances. Cape Town's gorgeous scenery and well-developed tourist industry mean that the city offers all the most popular romantic activities, as well as some you'd never expect.

Enjoy a romantic boat cruise

If the romance of the sea has always intrigued you, it's hard to top a sunset cruise in Cape Town harbour. What could be more tranquil than sitting back with a glass of champagne, taking in the views of Table Mountain and the city skyline as the sun goes down. For an even more glamorous nautical experience, try a yacht ride off the Clifton coast.

If you love views of the ocean, but prefer to remain on dry land, a try sunset stroll along the promenade in Sea Point. Then amble over to Wakame to share fresh sushi and a bottle of wine.

Cape Town is a gourmet paradise, and there are plenty of restaurants perfect for a romantic dinner for two.

Romantic dining in Cape Town

For special anniversaries, La Colombe in Constantia is one of the finest restaurants in the world. Mint Restaurant at the Taj Hotel offers local and international fare prepared with the freshest ingredients. For a more casual supper, have a gourmet burger at the supremely hip Royale Eatery on Long Street before dancing the night away with your beloved.

Picnics for two

If you prefer to take your meal outdoors, Cape Town is not short of spectacular settings. A picnic remains a classic romantic idea, and Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden is one of the world's great picnic spots. You can buy a picnic hamper at the garden, which you can enjoy on the manicured lawns, surrounded by lush indigenous vegetation. Positioned at the foot of Table Mountain, for many tourists this will be their first taste of the mountain's verdant eastern slope.

Cape Town's elegant beaches are also wonderful picnic spots: Clifton at sundown is picture-perfect. Alternatively, enjoy the novel experience of swimming with penguins at Boulders Beach.

Romance and adventure

Adventure lovers will find no shortage of things to do. Cape Town has too many hiking trails to mention, with several in Kirstenbosch alone. It is even possible to climb Table Mountain from there. Walk in Silvermine and enjoy the subtle beauty of Cape fynbos. For a real romantic adventure, climb Lion's Head during a full moon. If that sounds wastefully energetic, take a cable car up Table Mountain and take in a panoramic view of the city.

Love and wine

Visiting a wine farm is a more sedate way to enjoy Cape Town's natural attractions. There are fine estates in the Cape Town suburb of Constantia, like Buitenverwachting and Groot Constantia (established by Simon van der Stel, it is the oldest estate in South Africa). Or take a short drive and taste fine local wines at the many estates in Stellenbosch or Franschhoek.

Cape Town has a rich heritage, and there are plenty of galleries and museums to interest more culturally inclined couples. Taking a walk through Company Gardens, in the centre of town, to the South African National Gallery must be one of the most romantic ways to enjoy fine art. Or catch a play at one of Cape Town's theatres, like iconic Baxter or the new Athol Fugard Theatre, named in honour of South Africa's greatest living playwright. For something edgier, try Vaudeville, a fantasy supper club where you can eat drink and be entertained – followed by a night of revelry at the adjoining Fez club.

Recuperate with breakfast (maybe even a champagne breakfast!) at one of Cape Town's fine hotels. Try perfect pastries at Mint at the Taj Cape Town or take a hearty brunch at Gordon Ramsay Maze at the One&Only Cape Town.

About the Author

The Taj Cape Town is an elegant five-star hotel in the centre of Cape Town. Our intimate restaurants are ideal for a special dinner for two.

Antonio Sage - "Casual Conversations"

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This entry was posted on Monday, January 10th, 2005 at 11:54 pm and is filed under China. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.