Self Catering Holidays in Cape Town
by AlterSage
Cape Town is the "Mother City" of South Africa and has stood the test of time as a tourist hotspot by embracing diversity and technological advances. Arguably the best way to experience this dynamic city is to enjoy the freedom of a hassle-free self-catering holiday.
Real Flexibility
Self catering accommodation is a wonderful mix of independence and security. You can be sure that the place where you are staying is as good as it gets but you don't have to follow anyone else's rules and you're free to come and go as you like. You can go where you like, when you like but still enjoy living in the lap of luxury.
Before You Start
The first thing to do when you decide to take a self catering holiday is to figure out what you want to get out of your trip. Do you just need a place to lay your head at night or do you have a weakness for absolute luxury? Do you need pampering and ocean air or do you like the culture and atmosphere of an historic setting? Once you have decided these vital aspects you are ready to look for something that fits.
It really pays to do your research. Many people just book the cheapest accommodation that they find and hope for the best. You can save a lot of time and money by finding out the details of what you are getting and then comparing that to what you want. Very often, cheap accommodation has lower security and you my end up paying for your attempted thriftiness by having to replace items that get stolen! By the same token, just because you are paying a fortune, it doesn't mean that you are getting the best quality. Get as much detail as you can about the accommodation you are planning to stay in - photographs of the place are a good start. The best way to find a great place to stay in Cape Town is "through the grapevine". Get the opinion of a good agent, or even a well-travelled friend, good advice can be invaluable when you are looking for a reputable place to stay on any holiday.
A good self catering service will be up to date with technology and will definitely have a website that shows you what they can offer. Simple searches on the web will provide hundreds of choices and you should always weigh your options and take your own personal tastes and preferences into account.
What's Available?
Many different types and styles of self catering accommodation are available so you can be sure that you will find one that fits your needs. If you have a large group of people then you should consider booking an entire house with an appropriate number of bedrooms. Smaller family homes and apartments are readily available throughout the year, although you should book well in advance for Cape Town's summer season.
Location is a vital point to consider. You should be close to the places that you want to visit but you should have the freedom to go to other places you hear about during your stay. That said, there are definitely more than enough options to satisfy even the most demanding itinerary.
Go for a lovely wilderness setting if you are looking for a real escape from the world. There are plenty of nature reserves, pristine forests and big, empty beaches. If you are a real culture-vulture, you may want to explore the riches of the city itself or take some time out in the 'arty' areas like Houtbay Observatory and Kalkbay. Great food is available almost anywhere and the restaurants serve a vast range of international cuisine.
Getting Around
The public transport system in Cape Town can seem more than a little confusing to anyone who didn't grow up here. If you need transport of any sort, your self catering accommodation agent will be more than happy to give advice and put you in touch with the right people.
Probably the easiest way to get around is to hire a car from an agent. Make sure you invest in a roadmap too as areas like central Cape Town and Sea Point are riddled with one-way streets.
The other alternative is to hire a taxi-cab to ferry you through parts unknown. This option can be expensive but it is worth it for larger groups or for when you aren't sure where to go. Plenty of planned tours are available though tour companies. Your agent will be happy to help you to find a tour to suit you.
In the Central Business District and the surrounding areas, it is also a good idea to try out the Rikki service. This is a modified mini-bus which functions like an informal taxicab within a given area. Basically you get picked up from wherever you happen to be and they will drop you off at your chosen destination while they are on route, dropping off and collecting other passengers along the way.
