All Ashore

How to spend your time in Cape Town, South Africa

IT COULD BE ARGUED THAT CAPE TOWN IS ONE OF THE MOST SPECTACULAR cities on earth. Even if you’re here for work, it fools you into feeling like you’re on vacation. Here, locals seem to live by a different clock. There’s less pressure, less stress, and more life. The goal here isn’t just to live, it’s to live well. So, here’s my guide to make the most of one day in the sun. Premium Vistas

Awake before sunrise, and, in darkness, arrive at the base of Lion’s Head. It’s the mountain of lioness proportions in between Table Mountain and Signal Hill. The trek itself to its peak takes around an hour, yet the reward from the top — where the sun slowly protrudes over the top of Table Mountain, reflecting off the sea that surrounds you — is truly one of this planet’s most memorable sights.

It may be a little out of town, but the drive to Gansbaai is easily worth your time. Yet you’re not here to meet the locals; instead, it’s all about their neighbors. A short boat ride out to sea lives the largest group of great white sharks anywhere in the world. Hire a boat, don your wetsuit, and jump inside a thick steel cage. What initially sounds terrifying is actually a surprisingly serene experience. They’re graceful, almost peaceful, while conjuring a deep respect from all who witness them face-to-face.

Delicious Dining

One of the clear winners when dining in Cape Town is Chef Luke Dale-Roberts’ Test Kitchen. The real test is actually whether you can get a table, because the restaurant itself is about more than just the food — it’s an experience. Split between two dining rooms, the light and the dark, all diners experience both. Wine pairing matches the tasting menu, which mixes contemporary dishes with surprising ingredients such as liquoricecured Wagyu biltong. Book well ahead!

History Lesson

While Cape Town isn’t historically known for its jazz music, in this case it’s the jazz club itself that ’ s historic. The Crypt is based beneath St. George’s Cathedral, where, in 1989, the legendary Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu led a mass demonstration to protest apartheid. It’s a symbol of democracy across South Africa, which makes the club’s mere existence ( intermingled with a fascinating exhibit detailing the cathedral’s role in the human rights struggle) all the more extraordinary. missed.• Cape Town is a city not to be