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Cape Town Travel Guide

The ability to travel to far off places and experience different cultures and ways of living is a luxury available to only a limited group of the world's population. Traveling should be a learning experience and the best way to get this experience is to interact with the local community.

Many people believe, taking a flight and booking into a luxury resort or hotel is traveling. While you might see some of the attractions you won't experience the reality of the country or city if you don't experience some of the local ways.

Lots of accommodation venues are only focused on luxury and restaurants adapt their menus to offer international cuisine that are known to travelers. Cape Town has many luxury lodges, villas, hotels and apartments that provide superior accommodation as well as world renowned restaurants offering the best of the best.

While all of these are wonderful you should try to include some local experiences during your Cape Town travel time to get a real feel of the country and its people.

There are a few ways to do this. Staying in one of the many bed & breakfast venues in Cape Town will give you an opportunity to communicate with the owners and other guests. Use this chance to find out more about the area. Locals are the best advisors on great places to eat shop or visit that might not be focused on the tourist market, but are excellent experiences. Olympia Café in Kalk Bay is such a venue. Their main focus is on the excellent food they provide with no other pretences.

The local townships will give you an idea of how 90 percent of the country's people live. Slowly but surely township accommodation is becoming more and more available and a night or two in a township will allow you to become part of the different and vibrant culture of these areas. Some of the township areas are dangerous, but your hosts would definitely know where it is safe and where not. If you don't want to spend the night, there are township tours with knowledgeable guides that you can consider.

Another way to really experience a place is to walk. South Africa has a walking culture. Many people walk the streets to get to their jobs, schools or shopping areas. The weather is excellent, although during summer it can be very hot. If you plan to walk try to stay out of the sun between ten and four. It is always safer to be part of a group when you are walking and nighttime walking should be avoided if possible. In busy areas and places such as the waterfront it is fine, but avoid quiet streets after dark. The many parks, gardens, promenades and the botanical gardens are stunning areas for walks and all the exercise will allow you more opportunities to experience the excellent cuisine of the Cape without feeling guilty.

Make an effort to really talk to the people. The people in Cape Town are friendly and helpful and most will be able to speak English.

This post was written by: Franklin Manuel

Franklin Manuel is a professional blogger, web designer and front end web developer. Follow him on Twitter