It could be argued that Cape Town is one of the most spectacular cities on earth. Where even if you’re here for work, it fools you into feeling like you’re on holiday. Here locals seem to live by a different clock. There’s less pressure, less stress and more life. More so, the goal here isn’t just to live, it’s to live well. So this month CNN International’s luxury travel programme ‘In 24 Hours’ makes the most of one day in the sun.
MORNING
Awake before sunrise, and in darkness, arrive at the base of Lion’s Head. It’s the mountain of lioness proportions in between Table Mountain and Signal Hill. The trek itself to its peak takes around an hour, yet the reward from the top, where the sun slowly protrudes over the top of Table Mountain, reflecting off the sea that surrounds you is truly one of this planet’s most memorable.
AFTERNOON
It may be a little out of town, but the drive to Gansbaai is easily worth your time. Yet you’re not here to meet the locals, instead it’s all about their neighbors. As just a short boat ride out to sea, there just happens to live the largest group of Great White sharks anywhere in the world. Hire a boat, don your wetsuit, and jump inside a thick steel cage. What initially sounds terrifying is actually a surprisingly serene experience – they’re graceful, almost peaceful, while conjuring a deep respect from all who witness them face to face.
EVENING
One of the clear winners when dining in Cape Town is Chef Luke Dale Robert’s Test Kitchen. The real test actually comes in whether you can manage to get a table at all. The restaurant itself is about more than just the food – it’s an experience. Split between two dining rooms, the light and the dark, all diners experience both. Wine pairing matches the tasting menu which mixes contemporary dishes with surprising ingredients, such as liquorice cured Wagyu biltong. Just book well ahead!
NIGHT
While Cape Town isn’t historically known for its jazz music – in this case it’s the jazz club itself that’s historic. The Crypt is based beneath St George’s Cathedral, where in 1989 the legendary Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu led a mass demonstration to protest apartheid. It’s a symbol of democracy across South Africa, which makes the club’s mere existence (intermingled with a fascinating exhibit detailing the Cathedral’s role in the human rights struggle) all the more extraordinary. Cape Town is a city not to be missed.
The Cape Town episode of ‘In 24 Hours’ is now airing on CNN International.
Air times:
Saturday 4th February at 0630 GMT & 1930 GMT
Sunday 5th February at 1230 GMT
Saturday 11th February at 1230 GMT
Sunday 12th February at 0630 GMT & 1930 GMT
Or simply watch online cnn.com/in24hours