The Cape of Good Hope. Subject of seafaring lore passed from one generation to the next. Graveyard of hundreds of ships - some of the finest of their day - who succumbed to her violent and hungry waters.

A soothing contrast to its treacherous coast, the calm harbors of the Cape welcomed seasick and exhausted sailors transporting valuable cargoes to the far reaches of the Old World. At the southern tip of Africa, they found rest and nourishment before continuing their missions.

Centuries later, its tranquil waters still beckon those who come by sea or by air to enjoy its lovely, sheltered beaches and its temperate climate. Others come in search of majestic whales, endearing colonies of miniature penguins or colonies of baboons, its excellent restaurants and lively nightlife.

Cape Town - the hub of the Cape and the oldest city in South Africa - combines the cultural attractions of a prospering, vibrant city with an old-world charm and graciousness. Many clients prefer to visit in the African spring (August-December) when lush flora erupts in riots of color and the turquoise waters off the Cape are filled with whales and dolphins. Whale cognoscenti from all over the world come to the South African coast to watch humpback and southern white whales frolic just off its beaches.

Cape Towners like to brag that their home is the most open-minded, sophisticated, lively and diverse city in Africa.

And we do not beg to differ.

Its forward-looking people have made their city into a thriving mecca for the arts and indigenous cultures. From high-end boutiques to sidewalk vendors fresh from remote tribal villages, Cape Town offers museum-quality artifacts from all over Africa - both traditional and modern - to collectors from all over the world.

From the brightly painted houses of the Asian Bo Kaap quarter to the opulent wine-estates of the hills, from the ever-growing music scene to street performers along the waterfront, from unique Cape Malay cuisine to the world-renowned culinary establishments, from relaxing on sandy beaches to strolling in its unequalled botanical gardens to hiking Table Mountain, the Cape offers something for everybody.

There is no shortage of "creature comforts" in the Cape. Hotels range from the nineteenth-century Mount Nelson, where High Tea is served daily, to cozy and intimate guesthouses. Food is delicious and local wine is respected and plentiful.