cape town

World Cup 411: Top Insider Sites in Cape Town

Filed under: Dining, Luxury Travel & Hotels

From June 11 to July 11, football fans from around the world will descend on South Africa for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The 20-hour flight for Americans means it's worth staving off jet lag for another week or two and sticking around to explore the country. Of the nine cities where games will be played, Cape Town is by far the most desirable place to spend the extra time, and its in close proximity to one of the most stunning wine regions in the world. We've compiled a list of top insider tips for what not to miss in Cape Town. Here it is:

Gallery: What to See In Cape Town

Overview of Cape Town and Green Point Stadium where the World Cup will be played.

Under the food tent at the Biscuit Mill.

Sandwiches for sale at the Biscuit Mill.

Tags: and union beer, cape town, Cape Town South Africa, DaddyLonglegs, fifa world cup 2010, groot constantia, kirstenbosch botanical gardens, South African brewery, south african food, south african wine, table mountain, table mountain cable car, the roundhouse, world cup 2010

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Taj Cape Town Opens In South Africa

by Jonathon Ramsey (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Spas

Your team just won the World Cup, and those who are still conscious are shuffling toward the exits and the airports. But not you – you flew all that way, and now you've got a reason to celebrate, so you're headed to the Cape Town, where brand new Taj Cape Town awaits.

Located in the historic St. George's Mall, even though it's brand new, the Taj occupies two rather old buildings: the 114-year-old Board of Executors and the adjacent, 78-year-old South African Reserve Bank. Seventeen stories were added to the buildings, however, to ensure that you don't lack views of the city and Table Mountain. There are 177 rooms in 11 layouts, all of the tower rooms have walk-out balconies and the Taj Club Floor rooms gain access to a private lounge with butlers.

Of course you'll need the top-floor, two-bedroom, split-level Presidential Suite with its own massage and steam rooms, kitchen, office, gym and deck. When you're not busy being presidential, you might make your way down to the Jiva Spa with its Ayurvedic treatments, followed up by yoga and meditation, and if you really need to get out, there are all those world class Cape Town beaches to enjoy. In fact, with all of that to make you feel good, the the Taj Cape Town might be even better for you if your team loses...

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Tags: africa, cape town, hotel opening, south africa, taj cape town, taj hotels

Chocolate High Tea in Cape Town

by Alison Wellner (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Luxury Travel & Hotels

Although traditionalists may not approve of the way the term "high tea" is bandied about these days -- it used to mean an elaborate early dinner, with meat -- who could really disapprove of The Table Bay Hotel's interpretation: a celebration of chocolate?

From 2:30 to 5:30 pm each day, dive into all things chocolate, from white chocolate madeleines with candied lime zest to rum chocolate truffles. You could have all this chocolate with tea, which costs 160 Rand (about $20), but why not throw tradition totally to the wind and pair it with a glass of champagne? (240 Rand.) And if you love chocolate so much that you feel like you'd just like to be immersed in it, the hotel's Camelot Spa is offering a 75 minute treatment which includes body scrubs of cocoa and sugar, vanilla massage, a cocoa mask, ending with a glass of hot chocolate. The Chocolate Delight spa special runs through the end of August.

Tags: cape town, CapeTown, chocolate, south africa, SouthAfrica

One&Only Cape Town Opening With First African Nobu

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Luxury Travel & Hotels

In April One&Only Resorts will open their latest luxury property, One&Only Cape Town in South Africa, defying the downturn with aplomb. The lavish 131 room retreat features two marquee celebrity chef restaurants, Gordon Ramsay's maze and the first African outpost of Nobu, in addition to a 6,000 bottle tri-level wine loft boasting the largest collection of South African vintages in the world. Situated on the stunning Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, the resort's rooms have views of Table Mountain, a 13,000-square-foot exclusive spa island. To celebrate the opening, the hotel has partnered with South Africa's premier luxury safari lodge, Singita Game Reserves in the Sabi Sand and Kruger National Park, to offer an exclusive travel package including luxe upgrades through the end of September.

Tags: Africa, Cape Town, CapeTown, Gordon Ramsay, GordonRamsay, Nobu, One and Only, OneAndOnly, OneOnly, Safari, South Africa, SouthAfrica