Drop the name "Cape Town" into any conversation and you're likely to be met with a barrage of stories, all of which will be different except that they glow with memorable experiences. This is because Cape Town is so diverse, from the scenery to the local culture and attractions that every visitor will find something different here among Cape Town's many accolades from travellers. The city was also named the Third Best City in the World by the leading travel magazine in the United States last year.
The main areas of Cape Town include the City Bowl, Atlantic Seaboard, Southern Suburbs, Northern Suburbs, Cape Peninsula, Cape Flats and Blouberg. The city and surrounds present a collage of different scenery. Visitors can experience the urban cosmopolitan feel of the Metropole, relax and savour the gastronomic treats on offer in the pastoral setting of the Cape Winelands or explore endless beaches along both sides of the Peninsula. Holidays in Cape Town have the ability to leave a lasting impression on any visitor, no matter what their fancy.Probably the best time to visit Cape Town for a holiday is in the summer between December and February, when the weather is at its finest. This season is dry and hot, with temperatures often reaching well into the 30's and dense blue skies creating a true holiday feeling. This season is extremely busy due to the influx of excited visitors to the city. A quieter period for those seeking peaceful Cape Town getaways is either autumn or spring, when the weather is still very pleasant but the city is out of its main tourist season.
Attractions in the city
The City Bowl and nearby Atlantic Seaboard provide visitors seeking holidays in Cape Town a modern, chic and first-world setting, surrounded by the clear waters of the Atlantic Ocean. This area offers historical interest with the many museums nearby such as the Natural History Museum, the District Six Museum and the Holocaust Museum. Little markets such as the Church Street Antique Market and Green Market Square add a distinctly African charm to the downtown area.
Similarly, Long Street and Kloof Street in the CBD have many boutique stores, restaurants and cafés and the nearby National Art Gallery will thrill all art enthusiasts. Shopping is a major attraction in Cape Town and malls such as the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront offer modern and label trends within easy reach from the city. Table Mountain, Cape Town's most famous landmark, is accessible by a high-tech cable car from the city centre and is a 'must-do' activity for any visitors to the city.
The Atlantic Seaboard
The Atlantic Seaboard includes the elite suburbs of Bantry Bay, Camps Bay and Llandudno. These are the playgrounds of the elite and wealthy. Bantry Bay is a scenic and quiet suburb, allowing for easy access to the attractions of the city centre. Camps Bay is set amongst ultra-trendy architecture mixed with a vibrant night life, offering fun on the pristine beaches coupled with night time excitement in exclusive clubs and bars and some of the best restaurants in the Western Province. Llandudno Beach is notable as it is tucked away amongst massive granite boulders and offers brilliant swimming and sun-bathing experience whilst providing a relaxed, tranquil and secluded setting close to the city.
Hotels in the area include the impressive and world-famous 12 Apostles Hotel just outside of Camps bay, the uber-modern Les Cascades guest house in Bantry bay and 26 Sunset Avenue in Llandudno, a quiet gem tucked away in the beautiful scenery of Llandudno. These hotels offer very easy access to a number of Cape Town attractions, Newlands Forest and of course, the Greenpoint Stadium, Cape Town's very own superstructure for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
The South Peninsula
The South Peninsula is a mixture of heritage and sea-side charm. The area stretches from the Atlantic Seaboard through to False Bay. The old-English seaside town and surfer's paradise of Muizenberg is part of the Peninsula, as is Simon's Town, famous for its naval base and Boulder's Beach, a protected area where beachgoers can swim with the resident colony of African penguins.
The breathtaking scenery of Cape Point, the southernmost part of the Cape Peninsula allows for superb views of the two oceans and of the surrounding panorama of jagged and dramatic mountains.
The Cape Peninsula is perfect for peaceful and relaxing holidays in Cape Town. There are many well-priced restaurants in the area which create fun and well-loved seafood dishes from the fresh catches made in False Bay.
The Colona Castle Manor House in Lakeside offers old-world charm mixed with modern excellence in service and is an excellent choice of accommodation for those looking to relax in the South Peninsula. The Steenberg Hotel is situated inland in Tokai, surrounded by the beautiful Tokai forest plantation, and is five minutes drive from the Constantia Wine Route.
The Winelands
The Constantia Wine Route is not the only one in Cape Town. The Wine Routes in the Cape Winelands (in the Boland area) are world famous and consistently produce some of the best wines in the world. The Winelands includes the historic towns of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. There is also a variety of luxurious accommodation options set amongst the mountainous and fertile terrain of the area, are a mere hour's drive from Cape Town's city centre.
The Lanzerac Hotel and Spa offers guests accommodation in Stellenbosch in a 300-year-old Cape Dutch mansion with Spa facilities. These are also offered at Le Franschhoek Hotel and Spa, set in the culinary capital of South Africa. Franschhoek Country House and Villa Suites are also located in Franschhoek and provide an elegant escape into the world of food and wine.
Holidays in Cape Town and getaways to the surrounding areas have something to offer everyone. Families can enjoy safe and clean beaches on the Atlantic Seaboard and Peninsula coastline as well as exciting attractions such as shopping malls and theme parks. Conversely, active and adventure-seeking individuals can enjoy the vibrant nightlife and diverse cultures of the historic Cape. Those seeking a peaceful refuge can relax and be pampered at one of the many spa resorts. Business travellers have easy access to state-of-the-art conference venues and accommodation whilst wine lovers can enjoy quaffing some of the world's finest wines in breathtaking scenery and towns which live for viticulture. Cape Town getaways are a world-class opportunity for fun and relaxation with attractions to suit everyone.
All Information About The Car Rental Services
Whenever you plan a long trip the very first thing which comes to your mind is about your transportation. This means you would be concerned about the vehicle in the unknown country which would help you reach places. The tourist places all over the world have the different car rental services which would make your trip very comfortable and easy. These car rental services provide you the facility of hiring a car for the number of days you require it and then returning it to the concerned car rental company.
If you are traveling to South Africa, a major tourist area, then it is extremely important for you to hire a car because South Africa being a very large country in itself, you would require a car which would easily take you to various places within a short period of time. The car rental companies provide the car rental services by renting out cars to the people who are looking to travel to a specific area and need" one-way" or a "two-way" transport. This renting of a car ranges from a few hours to even a few weeks giving the maximum benefits to the tourist. There are situations under which the renting can go up to months as well but that is obviously in extreme cases where the locations to be visited are at very large distances.
There are large numbers of car rental services available over the internet; the need is only to carry out a proper survey about them. Make sure you book your car earlier than your travel date which would probably get you some discounts. You should also check the cost before making the booking along with considering the conditions of the car and the suitability of the car in terms of the places you’ll be driving to.
With the help of the internet you can book your car within minutes along with getting the detailed description of the variety of the car rental services available all over the world. These car rental services have contributed a lot to the tourism industry of the world as a whole.
Cape Town Car Hire - Aroundabout Cars
Cape Town Car Rentals And Hotel Accomodation
Cape Town and the entire Western Cape Province for that matter constitutes a great tourist destination. Cape Town’s culture is influenced by a number of countries, mainly Britain, France and Holland. Currently home to artists and performers from every field, it has a history that is going back more than 350 years. Tourists can marvel at the great natural beauties, can visit a large number of museums and cultural hot spots.
Before you head out to Cape Town to spend your vacation, you should browse the internet for a while to make sure that you don’t miss out on any of the sought after tourist attractions. A rental car is the perfect completion to a holiday in Cape Town as there is a lot of ground to cover if you want to check out many of the great tourist attractions. Cape Town hotels are also something you should look into, to make sure that you find the one that suits you best.
Car hire in Cape Town is truly blossoming business, so anyone interested will have a great variety of options and companies to choose from. Companies that offer car hire Cape Town include well known international and domestic brands such as, Hertz, Europa, Avis, and many, many more. I am not naming a particular car hire Cape Town company that you should choose because this is not an advertisement, it is merely a how to guide, designed to help you make the most out of your travel vacation to Cape Town. Each car hire Cape Town have distinctive features that make them stand out from the rest, so everyone has a favorite. Avis, for example, offers full insurance, and this is a great advantage, but their prices are a bit high. Other car hire Cape Town companies offer lower prices, but their offer includes less cars, or of lower quality then Avis and other high priced companies.
After choosing from the great variety of Cape Town hotels and it comes time to choose a car hire Cape Town company, there are a few aspects that you should consider before making the final choice. The minimum requirements you should have are a comprehensive insurance, including insurance for theft and collision damage. Other than that, any other requests you may have regarding car model, mileage, and other aspects are completely up to you, and might end up being deciding factors when you choose the car hire Cape Town company from which you will rent your vacation car from.
In regards to Cape Town hotels, there is surely one for everyone. No matter how picky you might be in regards to view, pricing, level of luxury, security, and so on, you will most likely find your favorite amongst the wide variety of Cape Town hotels. Have fun in Cape Town!
Car Hire
Renting a vehicle
Reputable car and truck hire firms operate in all the major cities and some larger towns. Because their rates vary widely, it is advisable to shop around before hiring. Some firms which use older cars offer budget rates considerably lower than those of the large international companies.
When you hire a car you are taking charge of a large capital investment that is highly vulnerable to damage or theft; it would be foolhardy, therefore, not to accept the insurance that is usually offered with the rental contract at extra cost. Not taking out the insurance may also result in your having to pay a much higher deposit.
Normal hiring rates usually include limited coverage of passenger liability and third party liability and loss or damage by fire. Extra charges are made for cover of theft and damage by collision. You will, however, remain responsible for payment of between 10 and 20 per cent of the cost of replacement or repair. Additional personal accident insurance is usually also available at the time of hiring.
Hiring rates include the cost of maintenance, oil and windscreen breakage, but not petrol. Motor cars are delivered with full petrol tanks and the customer is charged for refilling on return of the vehicle. The rates are generally quoted for each day of use, as well as for each kilometre travelled.
You are required to pay a cash deposit when hiring a motor car. Although generally only bank guaranteed cheques are accepted, a recognised credit card may also be used.
You must have a valid unendorsed driver's licence and be at least 25 years old (some firms set a lower age limit of 23 when payment is made by credit card).
One-way rentals to and from airports are usually offered by the larger companies. Some
firms also provide one-way rentals between cities.
Top Car Rental Tips - Save Money and be Safe
Need to hire a car for your next trip? Renting a car can give you freedom and flexibility but also costs a lot or mean more trouble than pleasure if certain factors are not followed. For a hassle-free trip, read practical tips on saving money, understanding your rental agreement and avoiding problems with your car rental.
Prior and during Booking
Think carefully about what kind of vehicle you'll need. If you're traveling with children or with a lot of luggage, you may want to rent a station wagon. If it's just for you and another person, rather go for a smaller model which uses less petrol.
Surf the Internet and compare rates from various suppliers in the calm of your home. You can go direct with reliable car rental companies or often better, use a car rental broker working with trustworthy car rental companies. Some car hire broker use what is called “Dynamic pricing”. Everyday they compare the rates of the market and adapt pricing accordingly to offer best rates and often a “Best Price guaranty”. However if you get a good offer, book immediately as rates may change at any stage. Always make sure you compare apples to apples as some offers do not show inclusions and exclusions and you may end up paying much more than you think. Always ask for all details and extra applicable costs of the offer. Some car hire companies offer one free extra driver, some even more. Some charge extra for additional insurance options. The list can be long, insist on a detailed offer showing all charges and services.
Rates are typically cheaper on weekends. If you are flexibility with your rental needs, opt for weekend rental. You can save often around 20%
Weekly rates are usually even cheaper and can give you a saving of 30%, sometimes even more.
Choose the right insurance option. When renting a car, you usually have a collision damage waiver (CDW) and a loss damage waiver (LDW). The first covers you in the event of a collision, the second covers any loss to the rental company. If you're paying the car with a credit card, you may be covered for damages associated with an accident. Check with your card company to make sure what is included and what not. Check always very carefully the Excess amounts for any insurance as sometimes they may be very high and be used as security with your credit card at the time of starting your rental. Some rental companies or car rental brokers offer “refundable excess” or “without excess” options. Often it is only a small additional charge but may be worth the possibility of very high excess charges in case of any damages. Also check if Windscreen and any other insurance are included.
Book early. It's not just a cliché; early bookings pay off and prove to be cheaper than last minute reservations. Rates depend on the amount of vehicles the company has available, so sooner is better. Reserve your car at least a week in advance.
Most rental cars have manual transmissions -- although automatic cars can be found, the price difference is often huge. If you can, always choose manual cars as it is cheaper. Remember also that in some countries driving happens on the other side of the road than where you come from
You may want to take advantage of getting miles credited to your frequent flyer program when using a car rental but enquire prior as car rental companies often charge a small fee when you request frequent flyer miles for your rental.
Consider upgrades to larger vehicles. Sometimes rental companies will offer free upgrades. It is usually done as the category you booked is in high demand. It may seem like a great deal for you. If you really need a larger vehicle then take the upgrade. But if you don't need more space, rather stay with the smaller vehicle as petrol consumption will cost you less than with the upgrade.
Avoid airport pickups. Usually pickups at airports are more expensive due to taxes and fees. If possible choose a nearby location to save on those charges. There can be a difference of 10% depending on the location. If your first drive will be from an airport to a hotel for the night, perhaps rather take a shuttle to the hotel? Doing this may save you the price of a day's rental too.
If you have kids, bring your own child safety seat. Depending on the rental company and location it may be a high extra charge worth taking the child seat with you.
Do you need unlimited mileage or perhaps only 200 km per day? Establish your exact needs prior booking but be aware, extra mileage may cost you a fortune if you exceed the initial package so unlimited mileage options may be cheaper in the end.
Avoid extra day charge. Most rental companies charge per 24 hours. If possible choose to drop your car at the same time or just before the pickup time.
Read the terms and conditions carefully before confirming your reservation and ask about restrictions or possible extra charges. Is there a penalty for cancellation or no-shows? What is the minimum or maximum age restrictions. Are there extra fees if over or under aged, or worse may you even be refused the car at pick-up.
If you return the car at another place than picking it up, it is worth enquiring if a one-way fee applies in your case. When renting more than one week, often one-way fees are waived. Should you travel across boarders they usually always apply and may be very high.
Most car rental companies do not allow their cars on ferries and you are not covered by the insurance. You may consider taking up a separate insurance or rather rent a car at one side and another car on the other side. Also check about restrictions if you cross any boarder with your rented car.
A very good option for medium to long term needs in Europe is to lease a car . You get a brand-new car, all inclusive, can take it on the Ferry, go to most European countries (only few exclusion in the East of Europe) and the rate is really interesting when staying longer.
Make sure you order any needed extras, such as a ski rack, car seat or GPS system at the time of booking as often they are not available at pick-up or will cost you more
Always ask how a company handles accidents, breakdowns or any other unfortunate happenings. If you are traveling to a remote area you want to make sure there is help at hand in form of an extensive network of agencies in the area and usually you get this only from a reputable car rental company
Check the final rate against the advertised one. The rate you see advertised may be without taxes, airport surcharges, additional driver fees, insurance, drop-off charges and any other. You may end up paying more than what you expected. Also, the advertised rate may be valid in one area but not the other depending on seasons and high demand or for a car size that you would find unsuitable.
Most of the major car brokers have become more transparent about rates, exclusions and extras, and they now usually show you the total cost of your rental, before finalizing the booking payment. Booking with Auto International will protect you from any unexpected surprises and you can always cancel you rental, 48 prior pick-up and get full reimbursement
Travel Tips For Those Using Car Hire Services
Quality Car Hire in Cape Town and South Africa from AroundAbout Cars
Tuesday, 20 May 2008 - Thomas Pretty
Car hire can be expensive when you are travelling, hence getting the best deal possible is always advisable. To achieve a bargain when you are utilising car hire services there are certain strategies that you can employ that will result in more affordable pricing. It is hoped that this article will be able to highlight some of these strategies that will enable you to hire a car at the cheapest price. One piece of advice to is to hire the least expensive model in the range. This is advisable for a number of reasons; naturally, it will be cheaper than the other cars in the range so the benefits are immediate. Also, by hiring the least expensive model you leave yourself open to upgrades. If you arrive at the car hire desk and find that the car you have reserved is not actually available, the majority of companies will be happy to give you a car further up the range free of charge. Even if your car is available, it is normally possible to get an upgrade at the desk for a much cheaper price than when initially booking, just remember to negotiate. Most car hire companies allow customers to add other drivers to the rental package; unfortunately this usually means an added premium. It is worth checking local laws and regulations however as in some locations married couples can gain an additional driver at no extra cost. Do not wait for the representative to enquire about your personal situation, tell them you are married on arrival to ensure they are fully aware. Another way to avoid additional driver fees and gain better deals more generally is to join the company's frequent user programme. The benefits of these schemes are immense, even for those who rarely use car hire services. often it can be cheaper to pay the joining fee in addition to the rental package rather than adding extras that all come at a premium. This is a great way to reduce the cost, and if you do use the company's services regularly, it should be a prerequisite of your hire process. With great savings, you would be mad not to. Another benefit of joining the loyalty club is that your transition from desk to car should be greatly improved. Many frequent user packages mean you can skip the cues and pick up the keys in no time. Added to this, the paperwork is reduced as the company already has your details, so going through the rigours of filling in forms is completely removed from the hire equation. It also means that you are spared the usual marketing spiel from representatives as the company know what car you will need and will be able to supply it without the upselling that is usually endured. If you are using large companies it is worth remembering at the time of booking that they are normally constructed along a franchise basis. Hence it is sometimes possible to get better deals by going direct to the franchise, rather than the headquarters. It is often possible to gain a discount or added features for less if you deal directly with the franchise manager, as they have the power to strike a deal with customers. A lot of car hire companies offer added insurance policies to customers, whether you need this insurance is worth considering. While some insurance policies offered can be extremely useful it is usually worth studying your own insurance details to see if you will be covered when using the hire car. In addition if you pay with your credit card, it is also worth checking with the card company if any insurance is applicable when using a hire car. Hopefully this article has given the traveller and hire car user ways to make their rental package cheaper. As evermore people hunt for great deals, be sure to use these tips to make you trip that much more affordable.
Start your driving tour of South Africa with Cape Town Car Hire from Aroundaboutcars
This holiday season, many people will be traveling on the roads in order to see family and friends. There will be traffic, incidents on the road, and many unhappy families waiting to get to their destination. Don''t be one of these families. Buy a GPS navigation system and by-pass the crowded highways by plotting a course ahead of time that will allow you to use side roads and lesser known highways.
Do you find looking at maps frustrating? Most people do, which is why they take the highway most of the time when traveling. This is what causes the highways to become congested during the holiday season. With a GPS unit, you will be able to search hundreds of colored maps that show you the streets and roads that you want to see. You will be able to enter in street names and get alternate routes that will get you to your destination faster.
You will not longer have to wrestle with maps that do not fold correctly when you use a GPS system. If you make a wrong turn, you will be alerted and a new route will be created. No turnarounds needed, no backtracking, you will be able to find your way even after making a wrong turn. You should be spending time with your family during the holidays, not spending hours trying to figure out where you went wrong.
GPS units are available with hundreds of maps, downloadable maps, points of interest which include restaurants, ATM machines, gas stations, hotels, and much more. You will be able to plan out your entire trip - restroom breaks, gas stations, and all - without having to rely on out-of-date maps and misinformation. Even if you misspell a street name, the GPS system will correct the mistake.
With a color monitor, easy to push buttons, and easy to read menus, you will never have to sit in traffic again. Many units have alerts that will let you know of upcoming traffic, weather, and other issues that may slow you down. Alternate routes will become available.
Some units even have turn-by-turn voice directions that will make driving even easier. You can concentrate on the road while listening to the directions given.
This year, make your holiday travel plans easy by investing in a GPS navigation system. You will arrive at your destination without all the stress from driving. You can save the route and use it again when you leave. The GPS system will reverse it for you. Save time, money, and the frustration of holiday driving by using a GPS unit. They are available in many different styles and models.
If you are also into hiking and camping, you can purchase a handheld model that can be mounted to your car. You can also mount a PDA or palm GPS. There are many possibilities for using a GPS that will make your life easier, especially during the holiday driving season. Keep your family safe by getting to your destination faster and easier this year with a GPS navigation system.
Don''t get lost this holiday season, visit the SuperGPSStore.com and buy a new GPS system. We offer a variety of GPS units ranging from Automotive GPS receivers to Fish Finder GPS''s. Come check us out. When you make an order be sure to use our discounted shipping coupon code: freeongps1.
Source: http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Hitting+the+Road+for+the+Holidays+with+a+GPS+System-a01073798673
Visit Aroundabout Cars for Cape Town Car Hire
his article originally appeared in Volume 3, Number 4 of Driver/Education, in December 1993.
In South Africa, a driver's licence isn't difficult to obtain. No formal training is required and few drivers take any. A learner's permit can be obtained at age 17 on completion of a knowledge test. A full driver's licence can be obtained at age 18 by passing a road test. No waiting period is required between the learner's permit and the road test once the applicant is 18 years old.
Training is offered by several groups. Private driving schools, under the auspices of the South African Institute of Driving instructors, cater to the individual learner driver. Groups such as the Institute of Advanced Motorists, BMW of South Africa, and the AA Foundation provide more advanced training.
The School Driver Education Program (SDEP), which provides theory as well as behind-the-wheel training, was introduced at a Capetown high school in 1984. Since then it has escalated into a national program offered at almost 700 schools throughout the republic. (See another Drivers.com article entitled" South Africa takes steps to combat fatalities".)
The rapid growth in SDEPs was spurred by growth in traffic, a potent mix of third and first world road users, and huge problems caused by unschooled drivers entering the traffic system. Many of the new drivers entered with little knowledge about their vehicles or the conventions and procedures that provide for an orderly flow of traffic. The SDEPs are aimed at diffusing more sophisticated traffic and driving knowledge through the road user population.
"We are ensuring a generation of safer road users who will pass on their abilities," says safety researcher Pieter Venter of Potchefstroom Christian University's Centre for Education in Traffic Safety, which acts as a research and training resource for the school programs.
Curriculum
Currently SDEPs provide 17 hours of classroom education and six hours or 100 km behind-the-wheel instruction. The curriculum includes a basic introduction that alerts pupils to factors such as the road-worthiness of the car, stopping distances, and basic vehicle control. The behind-the-wheel time covers motoring techniques such as gear changing and following distances. Driving theory includes the IPDE decision-making system, and the influence of factors such as alcohol, drugs and emotions.
The programs are offered after school hours (7:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.) but Venter
hopes they will soon be recognized as a regular part of the school curriculum
and that the theory portion will be included in the school day. 
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