Heavenly hotel
Les Cascades de Bantry Bay (lescascades.co.za) is an elegant boutique lodge in the foothills of Table Mountain. But the real pull is rooms that have their own private deck from which to watch the ocean. Doubles from £294.
Breakfast bar
Try Greens (+27(0)21 794 7843) in leafy Constantia for a casual breakfast or brunch — the French toast with berries is divine.
Lunch hangout
Emily’s restaurant (emily-s.com)
at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
is the best place to eat proper African food, including game and local specialities such as bobotie, a delicious savoury mince dish, or grilled ostrich. The relaxed setting is on the waterfront overlooked by Table Mountain.
Dining haven
La Colombe at the Uitsig Winery in Constantia (constantia-uitsig.com) is a must for wine buffs. Drinking South African wine and eating assured French cuisine right
beside the famous vineyards is
the perfect combination.
Post-match drinks
A sundowner on top of Table Mountain would be my choice. But non-hikers might like to try the Leopard Room at the chic Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa (12apostleshotel.com). There you can drown your sorrows or celebrate with 72 types of vodka and 46 ports, while trying to focus on the amazing views of Table Mountain on one side and the ocean on the other. Unless, that is, you’re too busy trying to spot members of the Ghanaian World Cup squad, who are, apparently, staying there.
Looking for cocktails? Check out the Planet Bar at the venerable Mount Nelson hotel (mountnelson.co.za), the Cocktail Bar at the recently opened Taj Cape Town (tajhotels.com/capetown), and the Cape Grace hotel (capegrace.com), which is set right on the waterfront and has its own quay.
The Twelve Apostles, Mount Nelson, Taj and Cape Grace are BA Prestige Collection hotels. To book, call +44 (0)844 493 0753 or visit ba.com/thecollection.
Match of the day
If you haven’t got semifinal tickets for Green Point Stadium, you can still catch the game in one of the many parks, where fans can watch football in sheltered arenas, eat South African food and even catch local comedy performances. The main fan park, Grand Parade (the square opposite City Hall), will accommodate about 25,000 people, with an overflow along Darling Street catering for an additional 15,000. Fan parks will also be set up at the Bellville Velodrome and Athlone and Philippi stadia, with smaller viewing areas open to communities in Khayelitsha, Nomzamo, Atlantis and Maynardville.
Thrills for all the family
The Two Oceans Aquarium in the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront (aquarium.co.za) is not to be missed. You’ll be mesmerised by the Jaws family swimming around in the shark room.
When the football’s not on
Steel yourself for a tandem parachute jump 10,000ft above Table Mountain, Table Bay and Robben Island: unforgettable, indescribable and utterly magical
— particularly if you somersault out of the plane as you go. Your horror-stricken face will be videotaped by an accompanying cameraman. Bookings are taken by the Tourist Office at the V&A Waterfront (bookcapetown.com/things-to-do/tandem-skydiving).
Best beach
You’ll be spoilt for choice in Cape Town, but I recommend Bloubergstrand, which has one of the most beautiful and photographed views of Table Mountain across the sweeping
bay. Families and adrenaline junkies alike will love Blouberg beach,
with its surfing and kitesurfing.
In season, it’s also a great whalewatching viewpoint.
Visit our other World Cup guides to Jo'burg and Durban for more inspirational ideas.
