Our stunning beaches along the Atlantic Seaboard have seen a lot of people this weekend and over the next several weeks they’re bound to see more. The top beaches along the Atlantic Seaboard are: Camps Bay, Clifton 4th, Llandudno and if you’re into long walks then Kommetjie. It’s along this gorgeous strip that sees restaurants, clubs and an assortment of entertainment locations.

As we approach December, the Cape Town accommodation spots along our stunning coast are getting filled up quickly, Cape Town Villas and Camps Bay Villas are always the number one choice by tourists, so if you’re coming to Cape Town, now’s a good time to book.

If you need assistance in booking a villa or apartment in Cape Town, we can assist you, please just click here and contact us.

Whether you’re a corporate or an individual, there will be something for you at the festival. A range of Bavarian accessories will be made available to play the part including Fraulein outfits, dirndl’s, lederhosen, bundhosen, alpine hats and an assortment of wigs and moustaches!

Here are the important details:

Dates:
Thursday 29th September 1730 – 2230 (Corporate Bookings only)
Friday 30th September 1430 – 2230
Saturday 1st October 1200 – 2230

Venue: Newlands Brewery Village Green, 3 Main Rd, Newlands

Entrance R75. Bier, Food and Merchandise purchased at event.

For more information or to book on line visit www.oktoberbierfest.co.za

During winter temperatures average between about 10 and 18 degrees, it is very rare that the temperature drops below 10 and if it does, it’s usually at night when you’ll more than likely be near a cosy fireplace. It does rain during winter, but on average Cape Town only experiences a few days of rain in a row and we’re normally blessed with a few days of fantastic weather right afterwards. Restaurants, Villas, Guesthouses and other Cape Town accommodation spots are normally setup for the colder days, but equally equipped for the warmer days.

The last two weeks in Cape Town have been glorious, we haven’t had a drop of rain, people have been going to the beach and the general feeling is that we’re experiencing a small summer! The only difference is that the temperature has been around 22 degrees compared to around 28 during the peak of summer. Either way, it’s not cold and it’s perfect for a holiday. The advantage of this is that during the winter months there are lots of specials for accommodation in Cape Town, so be sure to contact us and ask about our winter specials.

Photo: Greg Cawood via News24.com

The photograph above was taken just yesterday in Cape Town!

Truth be told, the winter season should really be called something else; a more fitting name would be the ‘secret season’.

Here are two restaurants worth visiting during your stay in Cape Town:

Ginja Restaurant – Ginja is situated at 121 Castle Street in the Bo-Kaap and occupies the ground floor of an old building. Mike Basset owns the restaurant and his menu offers impressive dishes including the Double Lamb Cutlets with White Miso Gorgonzola Sauce and seasoned English Spinach, or the Venison Loin with Bitter Chocolate, crushed basil Potatoes and Shaved Vegetables. If that doesn’t make your mouth water, then I don’t know what will!

Haiku Restaurant – Located at 33 Church Street in Cape Town, Haiku gives you that New Yorken up-market feel and the mix of fine asian dining compliments it perfectly. The menu includes Chinese dim sum, wok and barbecue; Japanese robot grills and sushi, served tapas-style. Granite floors and walls, mouthwatering cocktails and the amazing menu make for a perfect evening out.

These are just two of the many restaurants which provide delicious menus and trendy atmospheres in Cape Town. Next time you’re staying in Cape Town, be sure to book yourself into one of these fine restaurants.

South African Cheese Festival

For those people interested in the finer things in life, then perhaps the 10th annual cheese festival will be for your liking. The festival will be taking place from today until May 2nd in Stellenbosch, at Sandringham. In 2010, the festival saw 31633 attendees and media speculates that this year will be even bigger. There are a limited number of tickets available and tickets are only available from Computicket and Checkers, so be sure to get yours now before it’s too late. Tickets cost R110 for the weekend or R90 for Friday and Monday. To book your tickets, click here.

Ministry of Sound

Returning to South Africa once again, MOS will be throwing an unforgettable party at none other than Trinity Nightclub, right here in Cape Town. Enjoy the banging beats of Jerome Isma-Ae, Nick E Louder and Tony Finger on the main dance floor, or Mezzanine, Warren Lissack, Deniel, Accssionn or Daimon on the 2nd dance floor – either way, you’ll be blown away by what these DJs play. The party takes place tomorrow 30th April at Trinity Nightclub at 22h00. Tickets are priced from R130 to R300 and are available on Web Tickets. There’s plenty of Cape Town accommodation in the area, so be sure to stay close by to avoid the busy roads.

Decorex 2011

Today saw the opening of another Decorex, right here in Cape Town at the ITICC. If you’re into interior design, then you’ll know how amazing this event is, if not, be sure to go through, you will not regret it! The event runs across the weekend, starting today and closing on Monday. Adults pay R60, Pensioners and Students gain entry for R50 and Children are just R5. If you’re a DStv subscriber, you can make use of the “buy 1, get 1 free” special on tickets.

Become a Platinum Member of the BIP Club for free by clicking here and enjoy hearing about accommodation specials and competitions first!

Cape Town’s soft white sands and blue crashing waves paint the perfect scenario for a relaxing break from life’s usual buzz. Being close to the beach will provide you with the perfect way to unwind.

Three of our properties, which cannot be missed are:

1. Glen Beach House – Positioned in the heart of Camps Bay, Glen Beach House has a full view of Camps Bay Beach. Make use of the stunning wooden decks and if you’re not keen on sea water, enjoy a leisurely swim in the heated swimming pool. If you would like to read about this beach villa in more detail, click here.

Glen Beach Villa

2. Central Drive – This modern 3 bedroom villa has a concierge as well as a gorgeous infinity pool for those warm evenings. Of course, during the day you’ll be on the beach, which is just a 2 minute walk from the villa. The villa is ultra modern, with floating staircases, koi ponds and surround sound throughout. This is the perfect trendy get away right on Cape Town’s platinum mile. More more detailed information, click here.

Central Drive

3. Sea and Rock Villa – This three level villa provides visitors with amazing views of the mountainside as well as a stunning seascape view. Saltwater pools, jacuzzis and zen garden finishes, this villa, which has 7 bedrooms, is the ultimate get away for a group of people looking for luxury and relaxation. Want a better idea, click here?

Sea and Rock Villa

Some tips when looking for suitable Cape Town accommodation include the following:

1. Plan ahead and book early – while Cape Town is fairly busy most of the year round, certain months of the year are especially busy, especially during the summer holidays in December and January. Prices are often a bit higher during this peak season, due to the influx of tourists who visit for holidays. Booking ahead will save you money by getting off-season rates, and it will also ensure that you can secure suitable accommodation ahead of time rather than at the last minute.
2. Find out the area where your business events will be conducted – most conferences and other corporate events are held in the city centre, although some companies are based elsewhere in the city or may book special venues away from the CBD. You will want to be situated within easy distance to your business event to allow for better convenience, so this may affect where you will be booking your accommodation in Cape Town.
3. Determine how you will get around the city – if you have your own transport or plan to hire a car, you will be able to navigate the city fairly easily. Public transport in Cape Town is not always reliable, although private taxis are easily sourced and offer fairly good rates for short distances. If you need to travel to another suburb or further, it may prove rather pricey however.
4. Staying safe and issue free – to ensure that your trip goes off smoothly with minimal issues, keep a few basic safety considerations in mind when traveling in the Cape. Crime is not a very huge issue, and aside from petty crime such as car break-ins, camera snatchings and other opportunistic crime, which means that leaving valuables in plain sight is not advised. Keep these locked in your hotel or guesthouse safe rather. If you are self-driving, make sure to follow the rules of the road. Keep left, and drive at the speed limit. Drinking and driving is also taken very seriously in South Africa with regular roadblocks so don’t ever drink if you have had more than two drinks. If you follow these safety tips, you will be able to arrive safely at your Cape Town accommodation after your daily business activities.

Convenience – when arriving at a guesthouse or B&B, there are often far more rigid rules such as arrival times each evening and even things like housekeeping. Self-catering Cape Town accommodation is far simple, and all you really need to do once you have your keys is lock up and go whenever you leave your villa or apartment.

Flexibility – with no set dinner or breakfast times, and the chance to wake up whenever you wish and come and go how you wish, self-catering allows for far more flexibility. This is especially helpful when you are traveling with children or if you are down on business and are working random hours of the day.

Luxury – don’t assume that just because it’s self-catering, you won’t be able to enjoy all the luxury of a top-class accommodation venue! Many self-catering accommodation units that you may consider are extremely top-rate, with all the facilities you could ever need from entertainment systems, fully equipped state-of-the-art kitchen appliances, sparkling pools, garden service, cleaning service and anything else you may require for a relaxed holiday in Cape Town.

Entertainment – another benefit of self-catered accommodation over catered is that you will be able to entertain your guests during your stay – provided you do not leave a mess of course. This is great for hosting sun downers on your balcony or by the pool, or for dinner parties in your stunning villa.

Affordability – many travellers assume that guesthouses or B&B’s offer a more affordable accommodation option, but when you think about it, renting out an entire house works out a lot cheaper if you are sharing with family or friends. Catered accommodation in Cape Town works on a per person per night sharing rate however, making the self-catering option excellent value for money.

1. Choose your accommodation carefully

There is little point in booking a luxury apartment in the city when you have a two year old and a five year old to consider. Children need space to run and play, and being cooped up in a smart apartment that has no garden and only the most mandatory of balconies is a sure-fire way to ensure chaos and temper tantrums. Instead, consider Cape Town villas that have gardens, swimming pools and plenty of space. These can be found in most areas of the city, from Camps Bay to Constantia or the Northern Suburbs.

2. Choose the best time of year to travel

As it is situated in the Northern Hemisphere, Cape Town has summer between November and February, autumn between March and May, winter from June to August and spring from September to October. Generally, summers are the busiest time to visit as school holidays run during this time. Beaches are packed, but the weather is beautiful. Winter on the other hand is often cold and wet, despite many days of sunshine in between. Spring and autumn offer a good balance, with less rain in autumn – something you will need to consider when planning a holiday with children who need plenty of outdoor time on their Cape Town holidays.

3. Choose activities that everyone can enjoy

The best thing about Cape Town is that you can enjoy a wide range of activities that the whole family can try. The V&A Waterfront is home to the Two Oceans Aquarium, Mineral World Scratch Patch and many other great things for the whole family to enjoy, while Butterfly World, World of Birds and Spier Cheetah Outreach offer educational yet fun activities that kids and adults will enjoy. There are also many child-friendly restaurants to cater to all tastes, ensuring that mom, dad and kids can all enjoy the perfect Cape Town family holiday.

Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

Situated on Rhodes Drive, nestled along the slopes of Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens is truly one of the most beautiful gardens in Southern Africa. Here you can explore a number of paths, each leading to an entire ecosystem. There is a fynbos garden and beautiful rose gardens; an ancient bath and rolling green lawns – with the backdrop of the mountain offering the perfect Cape nature photographic opportunity amidst the green, fragrant plant life. The gardens also host a restaurant, shop and live open-air concerts during the summer season (November to March). Entrance is fairly cheap, and tickets are valid for the whole day.

Boulders Beach

One of the most beloved Cape Town beaches, Boulders Beach is situated in Simons Town. This beach is different from any other you may find in Cape Town, and for one very big reason – this is where a large colony of African penguins can be found. The birds are protected, and the beach has reserve status – that means no visitors can disturb the birds or their eggs, and regulations are fairly strict. Nevertheless, the swimming at Boulders is excellent and the rocky coves and clean white sand back it an excellent beach for bathing too. Just be sure to look before you lay your towel down, as penguin nests are often found where you least expect them

Silvermine Nature Reserve

Located deep within the winding paths around the mountain, Silvermine is one of the most beautiful reserves in the Cape. Here, a large reservoir can be found, surrounded by towering pine trees and other indigenous forests. There are great picnic areas, and plenty of viewing points. Abseiling and other activities are also on offer throughout the reserve. The size of the reserve and the remote, untouched feeling make it seem as though you are deep within an ancient forest in the heart of the mountain. A must for Cape nature lovers!

Table Mountain National Park

One of the first things that any visitor wants to see as soon as they arrive is Table Mountain. The imposing mountain is a landmark of note, and some may even say that it is the very heart of Cape Town. A visit to Table Mountain National Park will soon give you an even deeper appreciation for this natural monument – showcasing the flora and fauna that the mountain houses, as well as the spectacular views that can be enjoyed from each point, whether it is from the Cable Station or Cape Point. As an added bonus, access to the mountain is easy from most Cape villas, whether you are based in Camps Bay or Constantia.

Cape Winelands

For those who enjoy the beauty of the countryside, with long open roads flanked by vibrant green fields and pastures, and colourful wild flowers, a trip into the Cape Winelands will not disappoint. Here you can visit some of the Cape’s top award-winning wine estates, which are set on breathtaking grounds that span as far as the eye can see over vineyards, lakes, natural trees and flowering plants. This is what Cape nature is all about – beautiful scenery that makes you appreciate being outside in the gorgeous Cape weather.