Cape Town is one of the premier tourist destinations in the world. In fact it has been named the best destination in Africa and the Middle East and as recently as 2018 the ‘World’s Leading Festival and Events Destination’. When you combine this with stunning scenery, vibrant nightlife and an attractive exchange rate it is no wonder that this city at the foot of Africa continues to draw increasing numbers of tourists year in and year out.

However, those tourists are also beginning to realize that there is much more to this destination than stunning beaches and scenery, as well as excellent dining choices. Cape Town is filled with a history that, while often painful for many of its inhabitants due to Apartheid the years of hardship have left the city and its outlying area with some of the most fascinating tourist destinations in the world. Many of the experiences that can be enjoyed by the visitor can be found in the townships where communities were forced by Apartheid laws to make their homes.

For those interested in exploring the townships with their vibrant cultures a township tour in Cape Town is a must.

Here are some of the best.

1. Explore History and Culture in Langa

Langa is the oldest of Cape town’s townships and a tour will expose the visitor to how the residents coped during the Apartheid years. It also involves trips to projects that show how the residents are coping with modern day challenges such as a lack of basic amenities. There are also numerous cultural showcases that explore the incredibly vibrant culture that is still a mark of this fascinating township. Personal guides are available to provide extra insight.

2. Enjoying Traditional Cuisine.

There are a number of township experiences that will expose the visitor to some of the most vibrant cuisine on Earth. Spent a balmy summer’s evening in the Imizamo Yethu Township in Hout Bay only a short trip from the city center. Here the guest will enjoy dancing and singing with the locals – and also enjoy a great dining experience. For those who want to explore cooking a half day exploration of Kayamandi in Stellenbosch – home to some of South Africa’;s best vineyards. The walking tour provides the opportunity to visit the homes and kitchens of local residents. After buying ingredients at the ‘Spaza‘ (local small goods dealer) a pro chef will create a meal that will live in the memory. there are many who say that you can judge the mood and complexity of a culture as well as its hopes and fears through experiencing their cuisine – and this is a township tour that will prove that true.

3. The Sporting Life.

If you enjoy the ‘Beautiful Game’ you will be in good company in Langa – where you will find out why soccer is so beloved by South African’s. Play a quick game with the local youngsters and then set out on a walking tour where you will get a sense of the history of the township. Along the way you will meet some of the people who have played, and continue to play a pivotal role in township life. these inspirational personalities will provide an insight into why South Africa’s many cultures make the country into what it is today – what many call ‘The rainbow nation.’

South Africa has so much to offer and leaving the beaten track to explore what traditionally have not been tourist hot spots can be a tremendously rewarding experience – and one that will provide insight into the vibrant cultures of the country.

With so many beautiful places on earth, a list of the top five wonders of the world is unlikely to create a consensus. This is our top 5 wonders of the world which represents the best of what the world has to offer.

1. Great Wall of China (China)

Built between the 5th century B.C. and the 16th century, the Great Wall of China is a stone-and-earth fortification created to protect the borders of the Chinese Empire from invading Mongols. The Great Wall is actually a succession of multiple walls spanning approximately 4,000 miles, making it the world’s longest manmade structure.

2. Christ the Redeemer Statue (Rio de Janeiro)

The Art Deco-style Christ the Redeemer statue has been looming over the Brazilians from upon Corcovado mountain in an awe-inspiring state of eternal blessing since 1931. The 130-foot reinforced concrete-and-soapstone statue was designed by Heitor da Silva Costa and cost approximately $250,000 to build – much of the money was raised through donations. The statue has become an easily recognized icon for Rio and Brazil.

3. Machu Picchu (Peru)

Machu Picchu, an Incan city of sparkling granite precariously perched between 2 towering Andean peaks, is thought by scholars to have been a sacred archaeological center for the nearby Incan capital of Cusco. Built at the peak of the Incan Empire in the mid-1400s, this mountain citadel was later abandoned by the Incas. The site remained unknown except to locals until 1911, when it was rediscovered by archaeologist Hiram Bingham. The site can only be reached by foot, train or helicopter; most visitors visit by train from nearby Cusco.

4. Chichen Itza (Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico)

The genius and adaptability of Mayan culture can be seen in the splendid ruins of Chichen Itza. This powerful city, a trading center for cloth, slaves, honey and salt, flourished from approximately 800 to 1200, and acted as the political and economic hub of the Mayan civilization. The most familiar ruin at the site is El Caracol, a sophisticated astronomical observatory.

5. Taj Mahal (Agra, India)

A mausoleum commissioned for the wife of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, the Taj Mahal was built between 1632 and 1648. Considered the most perfect specimen of Muslim art in India, the white marble structure actually represents a number of architectural styles, including Persian, Islamic, Turkish and Indian. The Taj Mahal also encompasses formal gardens of raised pathways, sunken flower beds and a linear reflecting pool.