After breakfast, meet with your local CW guide for an introductory briefing and orientation tour of the city. Points of interest include a 17th-century water reservoir; the historic Grand Parade lined by the Castle, old Drill Hall, and magnificent City Hall; the blossom-filled flower market; and impressive Standard Bank Building. Along the route, pass Church Square, the Groote Kerk, and original Slave Lodge. Take a walk into history when you enter the former Dutch East India Company Garden—founded in the early trading days, and today a green oasis in the middle of town. Cape Town’s cultural riches are on display at the National Library, the SA Museum, National Art Gallery, Jewish Museum, and the handsome St. George Cathedral. Leaving city center behind, a drive through the Bo-Kaap will introduce you to the historical Muslim section with its quaint, colorful houses.

Follow up this excursion with late-morning tea at the Mount Nelson Hotel, served in the lounge, on the terrace, or in the estate around the garden fountain. In the afternoon, Table Mountain beckons. Although nearly 3,300 feet above sea level, a hike to the plateau is not strenuous and will reward you with magnificent views; alternatively, you may opt for a lift from the cable car to the top.

In the evening, reward your appetite with dinner at one of the excellent local restaurants within walking distance of the hotel, or the in-house dining room.

Included: Walking city tour, walk on Table Mountain. Meals: BLD

South Africa has become a prominent wine region and today you will enjoy discovering why. Depart early for your trip to wine country, stopping in two historic towns.

A 45-minute drive brings you to Stellenbosch. After a brief introduction you are invited to explore its village streets dotted with quaint Cape Dutch-style architecture, small shops, and teahouses. Then on to Franschhoek, where, time allowing, you may walk through a picturesque vineyard. Your “wine safari” concludes with an elegant lunch and wine tasting at one of the region’s top wineries. Breathtaking panoramas of the Franschhoek Valley will deepen your enjoyment.

Return to Cape Town for a late afternoon at leisure.

Included: Visit to wine country and wine tasting. Meals: BLD

Don’t forget your camera! Today’s tour of the Cape Peninsula will take you along one of the most dramatic coastal drives in the world. Heading down the west side of the peninsula, you’ll follow the Atlantic seaboard via Sea Point to admire the magnificent beaches at Clifton and Camps Bay. Your road safari takes you to Llandudno for breathtaking views, then on to the quaint village and fishing harbor of Hout Bay.

You will explore town on bicycle (or a walk is available, if you prefer). The Bicycling Empowerment Network (BEN) is a nonprofit organization that promotes the use of the bicycle to enhance low-cost, nonmotorized transport, and health and access to opportunity, employment, skills, and education. Income from BEN bicycle shops helps to support responsible tourism and local businesses.

After working up a good appetite, enjoy lunch in the township hosted by a local family. Then head further down the coast to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, home to richly varied plant, bird, and animal life. When you stand on the towering headland of Cape Point, you will be at what for a long time was commonly considered the African continent’s most southerly point.

A 20-minute ascent up Cape Point’s paved pathway rewards you with the glorious view of the Atlantic Ocean mingling with Indian Ocean waters. On clear days, the entire peninsula stretches as far as you can see. Continue your walk along the coast and through the nature reserve along a path of varying, moderate terrain. The Cape’s lush flowers and foliage will color your way, and perhaps a baboon family will watch your passage.

The visual feast continues as you head up the peninsula’s eastern shore to Simon’s Town. Residents of this naval-base village include a large colony of African penguin on rugged Boulders Beach.

Returning to Cape Town, enjoy dinner at one of the local restaurants within walking distance of the hotel or at the in-house dining room.

Included: Township bike tour, exploration of Cape Point on foot. Meals: BLD
Approximate Travel Time: 3 hours

Following breakfast at the hotel, you will be taken to explore the natural wonders of Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens—one of Cape Town’s special delights. After your guide’s introduction to the gardens, you can continue on a guided walk or explore the gardens’ 22,000 indigenous plants on your own.

The Cape Peninsula is one of the world’s six floral kingdoms, and the botanical richness of Kirstenbosch reflects this remarkable distinction. Covering an area of 1,300 acres, the gardens are a celebration of South African flora. Fynbos, proteas, cycads, and rolling lawns, streams, and ponds are yours to discover along easy-walking pathways. A great variety of birds inhabit the gardens, and the sweeping views from the upper slopes are spectacular. Do stop by the Visitors Center for a cup of tea in this idyllic setting. A gourmet picnic lunch will be served to you in the gardens.

The afternoon is yours at leisure to further explore the city and its waterfront. For a special adventure, take a boat trip to Robben Island, a forbidding place of banishment from the 17th to the 20th century. Today it is a World Heritage Site and museum. The standard tour to Robben Island is 3½-hours long, including the two half-hour ferry rides. You may wish to book the ferry in advance during the busy summer season.

This evening, for a special dining experience, discover gold in Cape Town! The Gold of Africa Museum in the historic Martin Melck connects with ancient courtyards where you will find the Gold Restaurant. Feel the heartbeat of Africa in an exciting, savory safari that explores the culinary customs from Cape Malay to Timbuktu with a 15-course menu served at your table. Interactive Djembe drumming will set the mood for an evening of African rhythms and songs that accompany your meal. Servers in beautiful, authentic dress will explain the origins of each dish. Tall, graceful Mali Puppets add another captivating element to your evening’s entertainment.

Included: Walking tour of Kirstenbosch Gardens and afternoon at leisure. Meals: BLD
Approximate Travel Time: 2 hours

Hotel staff and your guide will wish you a warm farewell as you transfer to Cape Town International Airport in time for your onward flight.