| One of the three official capitals of South Africa, | | | | the apartheid regime, who ensured that it was by |
| Cape Town is a city that embodies South Africa | | | | demolishing black housing and displacing 60,000 |
| like few others. There is a lot to see and do here, | | | | black residents. |
| a lot of history but crucially no fear of modernity. | | | | It is, therefore, clear that history plays a large |
| It would be reasonable to say that it looks | | | | part, but the city is not simply devoted to |
| towards the past (literally, in the case of Robben | | | | solemnly remembering the wrongs of the past, |
| Island which is not far off the coast of Cape | | | | nor dealing with the problems of the present. To |
| Town) while also being directed firmly towards | | | | look at certain areas of the city it would be hard |
| the future of the nation of South Africa. After all, | | | | to know that it had played such a part in such a |
| you cannot know where you are going unless you | | | | history. The gorgeous and distinctive housing in |
| know a certain amount about where you have | | | | Cape Malay Bo-Kaap is a major reason why |
| been. And aside from all of that, it is a fascinating, | | | | visitors on a holiday to the country will seek out |
| intriguing city which is well worth visiting for those | | | | this part of Cape Town. Then again, there is |
| planning holidays to the continent. | | | | plenty of evidence of the city's modern day |
| One of the major developments of tourism, | | | | relevance for those who are interested in its |
| wherever it may be in the world, is the increase | | | | future as well as its past. |
| in the importance of "living history". The city | | | | The city is home to many of South Africa's |
| provides plenty of this, having been the scene of | | | | modern-day foreign embassies, including the Dutch |
| much of what marked South Africa out during | | | | embassy - reinforcing that motif of past, present |
| and in the aftermath of the apartheid era. It was | | | | and future - as well as many newer commercial |
| here, for example, that in 1990 Nelson Mandela | | | | buildings. In addition, the Cape Town stadium (built |
| made his first speech after his release from | | | | on the site of the old Green Point Stadium) will |
| prison, an early step in a path that would take him | | | | play host to a few games in the World Cup in |
| on to become, symbolically, the first black | | | | Summer 2010, including matches featuring Spain, |
| President of South Africa - fittingly, as his | | | | Italy, France and, importantly, England and Holland. |
| imprisonment was endured on the | | | | Whenever you choose to visit South Africa, the |
| aforementioned Robben Island. Cape Town is also | | | | attraction of this stunning city cannot be stressed |
| where you can find District Six, an area of the | | | | enough. It is one of those places that is worth |
| city that was designated a Whites Only area by | | | | travelling to if you are in any position to get there. |