If hiring a car, when parking it, even in public car parks, be prepared to pay both for parking and for someone to "mind" your car. Once parked, 9 times out of 10 you will be approached by someone who will offer to keep an eye on your car for a small fee. A couple of Rand is an acceptable payment.

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Greenmarket is an open-air market in central Cape Town. It sells handicrafts, leather goods and T-shirts. All reasonabe prices.

Burg Street, Central Cape Town, every day except Sunday.

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There are various walks up and back down from the Botanical Gardens at Kirstenbosch (the gardens are worth a visit on their own). The routes up from here have the advantage of being in shade. Walking up Table Mountain is a tick most tourists want. But be warned it is steep, and, in summer, hot. Any walk up the mountain requires reasonable fitness.

Always, keep to signposted paths, take plenty of water (about two litres per person), food, wear appropriate footwear, and a hat. Don't leave your base without sunscreen and a jumper as it can be cool on the top, especially if the Table has a cloth on (a roll of cloud that perches on top of the mountain and gives the appearance of a table cloth). Also, take money for the cable car if you can't face the walk down. Make sure someone knows where you are going and what route you intend to take.

Buses run regularly to Kirstenbosch from Adderley Street. If driving take M5

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With its back drop of the Twelve Apostles mountains, and views of Lions Head, the sandy sweep of Camps Bay is very popular. It gets very crowded at weekends. Try visiting at the end of day, during the week. Find a spot in one of the seafront bars and watch the sun disappear below the horizon, with a chilled glass of South African white wine.

From central Cape Town take the M6 around the bay, or drive in the direction of Lions Head; Camps Bay is just on the other side. Follow the road down, among some of Cape Town's prime real estate

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Indulge in afternoon tea at the Mount Nelson Hotel. Sandwiches, endless cups of tea, fabulous cakes (as much as you can eat). Served in a lovely lounge or on the shady terrace. Tea is served every afternoon. It is useful to book.

Mount Nelson Hotel, 76 Orange St.
Tel: 23 1000.

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Cape Town is cosmpolitan and sophisticated, however the drive from the airport will remind you that there is another very different side to the city. Township tours give you a glimpse of the townships which is both humbling and inspiring, a world away from the smart tourism of central Cape Town, but the everyday experience of millions of black South Africans. The tours provide a historic background, and opportunities to see and support community projects.

There are several companies that will take groups on township tours, as it is not advisable to visit them without a guide. The Tourist Information Office in town has information on most of them.

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