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From the Chicago Sun-Times
November 16, 2008
BY CLARE NULLIS
CAPE TOWN, South Africa -- One of the world's most beautiful cities is also one of the cheapest.
Cape Town, the sparkling jewel in South Africa's tourist crown, regularly wins international travel awards. It combines excellent infrastructure and hotels with magnificent beaches, wildlife and vineyards, making it a favorite among business conventions and wealthy surf and safari seekers.
But even for those on a budget, the so-called Mother City is as welcoming as its name. Best news is the weakness of the South African rand, which makes dollars go further.
GETTING AROUND: Cape Town lacks a decent public transportation system. It's worth hiring a car at least for a day or two. Most hotels and hostels offer peninsular and wineland tours. Some take bikes along with them.
Minibus taxis are used by locals and will give you a cheap, genuine taste of South Africa. They aren't for the fainthearted, despite efforts by the government to persuade minibus drivers to upgrade their vehicles and respect basic rules of the road.
For a more predictable alternative, the Explorer double-decker open-topped bus has a hop-on, hop-off system, with the red line serving the city and the blue line surrounding areas at a cost of $20 for a universal 24-hour pass. You can walk around most parts of central Cape Town without fear of crime during the day, unlike Johannesburg and Durban. But at night take a taxi.
WHAT TO SEE: -- Table Mountain. This is Cape Town's icon. You can hike up or down (a steep 1.8 miles on the Platteklip Gorge trail) but check at the information booth on conditions (strong winds are common). The return trip by cable car costs $14.50, with discounts for children and students and sometimes in early morning and evening. Operating times depend on season and weather. Be prepared to wait at busy periods. Details at www.tablemountain.net.
A wonderful alternative to Table Mountain lies just across the road. Signal Hill has no lines and no fees. Just uninterrupted 360-degree views of the city from the winding road. Join the locals at full moon and walk up and down the mountain (about 90 minutes each way) for an unforgettable experience. Remember, there is safety in numbers.
-- Robben Island. The wind-swept island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned is a must. The trip takes 3
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