Where the mountain meets the beach-Cape Town#UltimateDilemma

What if there is no dilemma and you can enjoy both and much more? Cape Town is a traveler’s dream come true So much to see, do, experience, enjoy ,relish in such a relatively small area. Cape Town being at the edge of the might African continent can be unpredictably cold and windy but oh so beautiful in summer (October to December) in the Southern Hemisphere.

Melting pot of different cultures, it is the truly rainbow city of a beautiful nation South Africa.The city has botanical garden- Kirstenbosch which will truly take one whole day to explore. The iconic street Long street with its Victorian house, restaurants bars and shops is delightful magnet attracting people of all ages. Throw in couple of water parks, a old fort, beautiful quaint beach towns ,museum and there you have a jam packed holiday in the city itself. All these can be experienced through the HoHo bus service or the Red Bus city tours.

But lets stick to mountain and beach. Here comes the magnificent mighty Table Mountain that towers  the city and its beaches.

So, one can hike up the mountain or use the cable car. Bookings are online as well as on the spot. There are numerous viewing platforms on the top as well as a restaurant and toilets. Spend as much time as you want up there but keep in mind the timings of cable car.You can choose to hike down as many other travelers seem to do to experience the lovely unique vegetation. The hiking trails have signs pointing to the right direction.

Now,we come to the ocean and this city seems to offer so many activities associated with water. There is a tour to Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for more than two decades.Its a terrible sad place but  we must visit to remind ourself of the sacrifices of those great men.

  One can organize whale or shark tours or any of the numerous water activities on offer in Cape Town.

Drive few kilometers out of Cape Town and one reaches Boulders beach with its cute African penguins

Travel a bit more and you reach Cape of Good Hope where the two mighty oceans meet .There is a lovely lighthouse here and its an experience to see oceans of two different colours meeting at a point. One marvels how come a city surrounded with 2 oceans can face water shortage.

If you are in for more travel therapy drive a mere hundred kilometer out of Cape Town and you reach the magnificent West Coast National Park. Go in the right season and you will find it full of wildflowers. But that is not all! The magnificent national park also shares its boundary with Atlantic Ocean so you have your beach right there.

Well if all that has left you head spinning then wait my friend picture abhi baaki hai. We need to talk about the vineyards of South Africa. Have you heard of the lovely rose wines of South Africa or the award-winning Sauvignon Blanc or the tangy balsamic vinegar? So, welcome now to the vineyards of Franschhoek, Paarl and Stellenbosch -half a day drive from Capte Town. Stay in any of the numerous vineyard and taste the wines through  wine tours, wine trams or over luxurious long lunches in the verandah or lawns of Dutch style houses.

Of course as with rest of Cape Town that’s not the only thing this region offers. Go in right season and you can pick and buy strawberries.

Or visit one of the vineyards that offers animal experience in addition to wine tasting . So grab that glass of pink wine and go and feed an ostrich or pet a snowy while owl or daringly wrap an African python around yourself.

Have you  had enough or should I start talking about night life of Cape Town? Maybe another post for that!So don't bother deciding between beach and mountain- start planning a trip to Cape Town!