Cape Town has come out tops again in another award ranking… this time as one of the best vacation destination in the world.
Sporty, stylish, stunning, sociable… if Cape Town was a person, it would be that Hollywood starlet we all secretly envy.
Agree or disagree – this is how US News & World Report describes the Mother City in their new Best Places to Visit list, released on Tuesday, 28 June. A list on which Cape Town ranked in the number 11 spot.
“The Mother City is unlike any other destination in Africa,” the report states. “Separated from the rest of the continent by a ring of mountains, Cape Town stands as a glittering, metropolis juxtaposed with one of the world’s most breathtaking natural landscapes.
“But good looks aren’t the only thing Cape Town has going for it. You’ll fall in love with this city’s khaki-colored beaches, rolling vineyards, sizzling cuisine, thriving nightlife, and, of course, the spectacular Table Mountain.”
Cape Town narrowly misses the Top 10, ousted by big names like the Great Barrier Reef, Paris and Bora Bora, which places in first, second and third spots respectively.
But Cape Town did come 11th… out of 4,416 cities. Not too shabby.
“It may have taken an international soccer tournament to catch the world’s attention, but since Cape Town took the global stage, no amount of buzzing vuvuzelas can drown out its magnificence.”
“Cape Town is by far the most cosmopolitan city in South Africa, as it hosts a hodgepodge of cultures that contributes to the city’s eclectic music, food, and festival scenes. But to better appreciate Cape Town as it is now, it’s important to understand what the city has experienced.”
“Decades of racial and economic oppression invoked by apartheid has left a festering wound. Although many tourists only experience Cape Town’s gorgeous beaches and vibrant restaurant scene, those who visit Nelson Mandela’s jail cell on Robben Island or peruse the exhibits in The District Six Museum will see that there’s a somber undertone to this otherwise vibrant city.”
Check out the Top 10 here:
1. The Great Barrier Reef
2. Paris
3. Bora Bora
4. Florence
5. Tokyo
6. Cusco
7. London
8. Rome
9. New York City
10. Maui
Despite placing in the number 11 position, Cape Town is still the number one destination on the African continent, and number one in our hearts. Mostly, because of its diversity, culture, food and people.
11. Cape Town
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