Linger Longer, in the suburb of Sandton–French style food with South African flavours, fantastic place to eat (not for the budget conscious though!), in the elegant dining rooms or on the shady terrace. We had a selection of mouthwatering starters (porcini, enormous oysters, scallops, crocodile curry, langoustines, and more) which barely left room for the delicious main course and delicate desserts!

The sommelier can tell you all you need to know about South African wines. Book to avoid disappointment.

www.dining-out.co.za/member_details-MemberID-1694.html

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The Apartheid Museum is not to be missed - you need at least three hours to get round and take in all the information. The museum is experiential - as you walk around you ‘live’ the experiences: walk through cages, past cells, around one of the riot tanks they used in Soweto.

The information is presented on panels, on TV screens transmitting key speeches and reports of events under apartheid, there are audio recordings, memory boxes, videos and audio tapes. There is an attempt to trace the origins of racism and apartheid back to the first settlers, but it is the lived history of apartheid and the bloodshed of the first years of liberation which leave the deepest impression and remind us that the torture techniques and tools of repression used in South Africa under apartheid are still being used today.

I left with many questions and a heavy heart, but full of admiration for those who resisted and their descendants who are trying to rebuild a country where the commonality of human experience is more important than difference.

www.apartheidmuseum.org/

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La Colombeat Constantia Uitsig wine estate is now 50% owned by a black empowerment co-operative. The French style food at La Colombe was of a high standard – 'jalousie de langoustines' anyone? - with excellent service on a garden terrace by the vineyards. There is another restaurant (The Constantia Uitsig) overlooking the vineyards and a more informal restaurant (the River Café) in the courtyard behind the wine shop – noisy when we were there because of ‘the ladies who lunch’.

www.constantiauitsig.co.za/constantia_uitsig/uitsig.html

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Blues at Camps Bay. Cool seafood restaurant with terrace and panoramic windows overlooking the beach. Great food in a relaxed environment. Apparently it gets very busy here in season, so booking is recommended.

www.blues.co.za/blues/index.html

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The Cape of Good Hope is part of Table Mountain National Park and apart from the views from the lighthouse on the point overlooking the Indian Ocean at the place where it meets the Atlantic Ocean, there are lots of good, well-marked hiking trails (maps from the Park office at the foot of the lighthouse) in the park with plenty of wildlife to see (dassies, ostriches, springboks, birds etc).

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This is a great trip round a historic centre. We travelled over on the old prison boats. Former inmates of the prison guide you round and bring home what life was really like for them, and the horrors of apartheid. There is also a bus tour of the island, including a stop outside the house of Robert Sobukwe, leader of the Pan African Congress. He was kept here in isolation following his release from prison because the authorities were so afraid of the popular support for this man who broke from the ANC and advocated the use of arms in the struggle.

Be warned you need to book tickets in advance – best to go to the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V&A Waterfront to do this at least one day before you want to visit. We tried phoning to book but were told there was a 2 week wait! When we went along we got tickets for the next day! They are about to bring new bigger boats into service because of the demand, so it may get easier.

While you are waiting why not go to see the small museum at Jetty One (free entry), listen to audio recording of former prisoners, their families, lawyers and prison employees in the bleak waiting room where they had to wait for boats.

www.robben-island.org.za/

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We stayed at the Hout Bay Hideaway in October 2007. The Jaguars are gone, but Martin and Sue, who now own the Hideaway, have kept the same format and added cooked breakfast on request. They were warm, welcoming and more than helpful - assisting us in advance with planning our trip, advising us about what to do and where to go, organising our transport…

The accommodation is comfortable and the garden, with its terraces on different levels, relaxing and peaceful. The area is safe and we went for walks and runs along Chapman’s Peak Drive from the door. There are plenty of places to eat nearby, and the Hideaway is an ideal base for exploring the area around Cape Town without having to sit in the city traffic jams. Highly recommended.

www.houtbay-hideaway.com/

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