What to do when it’s wintery in Cape Town. Winter is here, and as we shiver and dig out our thickest winter woollies, our instinct is to hibernate under the duvet on the couch and binge watch series until September.
But did you know that seasonal depression is a thing?
It’s a fact that dull grey skies, incessant rain and gloomy days can impact very negatively on our moods and state of mind.
The easiest and cheapest hack for beating the winter blues and fighting off a frozen body is to get up and move around
Go for a walk, put on a waterproof and Wellington boots and go and jump in puddles. A change of scenery and doing anything that gets your blood circulating will immediately make you feel warmer and happier.
Make walking fun with WOOF
If you have been thinking about getting a dog, this is a good time to make it happen. Not only will you get lots of puppy licks and love, but you will also stay warm and fit walking your new friend on the beaches, mountains and forests of Cape Town. The WOOF PROJECT is an NPO that takes healthy dogs from animal shelters and brings them to public places for adoption into a loving home. They will be at the V&A Waterfront every day until the 28th of July 2019. The adoption process is fast and efficient, you complete a brief application, a same-day home check is done, and your new friend is ready to go.
Every dog is microchipped, vaccinated and sterilized and WOOF Project also includes a Name Your Price Adoption Fee – and the guarantee that the adoption is a ‘perfect match’, for life. Read more here: www.waterfront.co.za/events/woof-project
Nothing beats a good laugh
The Cape Town Comedy Club at the Pumphouse at the V&A Waterfront is a unique winter warmer and a great way to spend a cold Cape Town evening. They have an excellent line up this month that includes much loved local talent like Nick Rabinovitz, Justin Moore and Mel Jones to name a few. 67 minutes of laughter on Mandela Day sees a line up of top SA comedians and really, at the Comedy Club, the laughter never stops. See the full line up here: www.capetowncomedy.com/whats-on/
The Comedy Club has a host of crazy specials like Midweek Madness and Keep Calm its Half Price Sunday.
Hot treats high in the sky
The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway will be closing for annual maintenance on the 25th July and re-opening on the 18th August 2019. You still have a few weeks to take a ride to the top, check their website for the many special deals and locals rates, then enjoy a bracing walk with the best views, followed by comfort food on top of Table Mountain. They have a variety of special hot beverage and cake deals, a tasty chef’s special dish of the day or you can pre-book A Very High Tea on a Thursday afternoon between 2 and 4h30pm, pre-book at functions@tablemountain.net.
Dress up warmly and” Take back the night”
On the last Friday of the month, the V&A Waterfront hosts Goodnight Fridays, this month it’s on the 26th July 2019. Music and DJ’s, art and design installations and of course food and drink specials, spread out all over the Waterfront between 5 and 10pm. Pick up your map, get warm as you walk to the various attractions and celebrate winter in the city. Read more here: www.ctbig6.co.za/va-waterfront-good-night-fridays-2019/
Time in nature is food for the soul
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is a natural wonder on our doorstep after a visit here, your soul will be so full it will be needing an afternoon nap. Walk the paths, smell the fresh air, pick up the scents of the fynbos, delight in the art of nature when you see what is flowering in winter. Walk the Boomslang, that fabulous Canopy Walk high above the treetops. Enjoy the views, take some silly snaps, get inspired to buy some plants and add some colour to your garden or balcony. Make sure you stop to browse in the recently upgraded gift shop, it is filled with locally made clothing, gifts, sweet treats, curios, cushions, ornaments and other lovely things. Or you could even warm up next to a fireplace at moyo Kirstenbosch and have a hearty meal. Moyo Kirstenbosch has a #WinterWonders kids activity programme that runs until 8 July 2019. Read more here: www.ctbig6.co.za/kirstenbosch-winter-special-winter-wonders/
Get Creative
At Zeitz MOCAA every Wednesday in July is AFRICA WEDNESDAY– open studio for families between 10 am and 1 pm. Children under 18 enter for free. Booking is essential, Click here to secure your place. Read more here: www.zeitzmocaa.museum
Talking grapes, red wine and a fireplace
At Groot Constantia, the Visitors Route Experience ticket includes a wine tasting, a Spiegel glass, entrance to the museum and a free audio tour that will have you in stitches. Called “Deep Routes and Trade Routes”, this geo-specific audio tour is easy and free to download on your phone, and as you walk through the vineyards, the geo-located audio guide educates and entertains you. Each grape varietal has its own distinctive voice and personality. A great way to get warm by moving around, and afterwards, buy a bottle of your favourite red, find a fireplace and order something warming from Simon’s or Jonkershuis, the on-site restaurants.
@CTBig6 are committed to keeping you warm and entertained this winter. Did we leave anything out?
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ONE DESTINATION, SIX UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCES
There is no one way to explore all of the Cape Town Big 6, and much of what makes each of them so special is the variety of things to see and do at each. So if possible, take your time to explore each of the city’s most visited tourist attractions in as much depth as possible – as any local will tell you, you can spend a lifetime at each of the Big 6 and still not tire of them. Find the 3 and 4 day itineraries and tips here.