Don�t feel stuck in a rut when you�re staying in a city or town - in South Africa there�s plenty of urban adventure just around the corner. Indeed you�re missing out if you ignore the vibrant variety of multi-ethnic experiences waiting for you on your doorstep.
City Highlights
Bloemfontein: Due to its central location, South Africa`s judicial capital, Bloemfontein, is a popular conference and convention centre. Known as the "City of Roses" the city has many gracious historical buildings, with numerous reminders of the Anglo-Boer War, including the War Museum of the Boer Republics and the National Women`s Memorial. The city is also known for its National Museum and Sand du Plessis Theatre, where opera, ballet and orchestral concerts are performed.
Cape Town: Known affectionately as the "Mother City", Cape Town is, without doubt, one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Table Mountain provides a stunning backdrop for both the city and the Victoria and Alfred waterfront. An array of South Africa`s glorious flora greets visitors at the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, while visits to the former prison colony of Robben Island depart from the harbourfront.
Durban: With its ideal climate, golden beaches, warm sea suitable for surfing, and lively atmosphere, Durban has been dubbed South Africa`s "Sunshine Playground". The vibrant Victoria Street Market, with its Indian shops and stalls, the Oceanarium and Sea World, City Hall and other old buildings, make Durban a firm favourite amongst visitors.
East London: South Africa`s only river port, offers all the amenities for family fun, with its sweeping white beaches and numerous watersports options.
Johannesburg: A great city for shopping, eating out and nightlife, Johannesburg is the commercial heartbeat of South Africa. Visit Museum Africa, which offers a superb insight into the country`s history or the Johannesburg Art Gallery, to see exquisite South African and international works. The Johannesburg Stock Exchange has a public gallery, while on the city outskirts is "Gold Reef City", a re-creation of the city when it was a turn-of-the-century gold mining town.
Kimberley: "The City of Diamonds" and capital of the Northern Cape, Kimberley retains reminders of its heady, diamond-rush past with the Kimberley Mine Museum and Big Hole, the result of the diamond diggers` excavations.
Port Elizabeth: The Victorian houses in Donkin Street indicate the "Friendly City`s" British settler past. The city also boasts lovely beaches and family entertainment such as the Oceanarium and Snake Park. It is a good jumping off point for the Garden Route.
Pretoria: This is an attractive metropolis, with much to entice the visitor including museums and historic buildings, like the Union Buildings as well as the Kruger House Museum and Melrose House on the old Church Square, the imposing Voortrekker Monument and other attractions including an excellent zoo and botanical gardens. Pretoria is nicknamed "Jacaranda City" because of the purple-blossomed trees which bloom in late-September and October.
Festivals
Most cities have annual shows or fairs, offering entertainment of every kind, presenting the city�s special talents and drawing large crowds.
Many are beginning to offer informal music festivals on weekend afternoons or late into the evening. These vary from classical string ensembles to jazz groups or feature national and international singers.
The International Eisteddfod of South Africa is a music and dance festival, with elements of folk as well as classical traditions. It attracts high-quality competitors from all nine provinces and entries from as many as 30 other countries. The event lasts about 10 days and takes place in September in Roodepoort near Johannesburg.
The Standard Bank National Arts Festival held in Grahamstown in the first two weeks of July is described as "Africa�s Greatest Cultural Kaleidoscope".
Featuring dance, theatre, music, opera, fine art, film, craft-art (traditional skills) and cabaret, the festival attracts over 50,000 visitors annually.
Flea Markets and Shopping
Flea markets are to be found in all South Africa�s major cities, Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth to name but a few. They operate mainly during weekends, giving small traders the chance to sell a wide range of South African crafts and providing shoppers with the opportunity to pick up unusual souvenirs at cheap prices.
Visit the huge flea market at Bruma Lake near Eastgate shopping centre, a mere 15 minutes� drive from central Johannesburg.
Close to the flea markets are the sophisticated shopping centres and malls providing a totally different experience, but offering bargains just the same.
