Kayaking with seals and dolphins. Enjoy culture and gastronomy by the water. Enjoy the delicacies of the “wine tram”. Why Cape Town is simply irresistible…

In terms of appearance, Cape Town will take the edge of any beauty pageant – a city enveloped by pristine waters, adorned with fynbos flowers and with the mighty Table Mountain kissing the clouds at its centre.

In recent years, the eclectic city has expanded its appeal with world-class galleries, designer hotels and boutique wineries.

Add to that the resumption of direct flights from London and South Africa’s trendiest city, and the prospect of a break is irresistible. Here’s how you can explore it.

A mountain of culture and a beautiful promenade

There is something strange in the water. Below my kayak, the leaves of seaweed sway in a ballet dance, the sun beats down on my hat, and a few meters from my small vessel, what looks like an upside down tree breaks through the surface of the sea.

It moves slowly and then falls on its side so I can see that it is actually a giant seal. I paddle forward to get a better view. He opens one eye and examines me aimlessly before returning to his all-important quest for relaxation.

With Atlantic Outlook Adventures (outlookatlantic.com) I find myself on the reflective waters of Granger Bay and see Cape Town’s attractions from the sea.

We’ve seen penguins, dolphins and sunfish before, and looking back to land I see the city’s iconic Table Mountain center towering above it all.

If you trade your sneakers for sneakers, you can climb one of the many paths that wind up the mountain. Or perhaps take the leisurely cable car to the top, from £10 one way (tablemountain.net) to look out over this bay and its picturesque surroundings – including the ferry to the famous Robben Island (robben-island.org). Sa) where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for almost two decades; the glistening Atlantic Ocean; and the winding Cape coast, lapped by foaming waves.

Fortunately, however, you don’t have to sweat to get your culture on in Cape Town. From bohemian Langstraat to the surfboards and seafood restaurants of upscale Kampsbaai, an undeniable energy buzzes through the streets.

And nowhere is this more evident than at the V&A Waterfront (waterfront.co.za) – a cool waterfront cultural hub where restaurants, boutiques and bars attract locals and tourists alike.

Here, Watershed’s Craft and Design Market is an easy place to spend an afternoon, with over 150 stalls selling wares from local creatives, from forward-thinking beauty brands to artisan chocolatiers and biltong makers.

You can take a ferry to the famous Robben Island (above), where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for nearly two decades.

Those looking to shop even more under the radar should head to the lively enclave of Upper Cape – a patchwork of brightly painted Cape Dutch and Cape Georgian houses where you can find some of the city’s best street food, from Salomie (a curry) will find. roti wrap) to the region’s famous milk tarts and biscuit desserts.

Back on the waterfront, effortlessly polished One&Only Cape Town is the place to stay. As soon as I walk through the doors, I marvel at the epic view of Table Mountain framed by a huge glass wall behind the central bar.

The hotel blends seamlessly into the waterfront itself, with a wide, clear canal winding through the city center where fitness enthusiasts paddle from their paddle boards and swim in the clear water. There’s also a spa and a tranquil swimming pool with striped sunbeds, where the only peace disturbed is a family of otters dropping by for a drink.

The rooms are equally impressive, awash in soft textures, a stucco palette and expansive mountain views. You don’t even have to leave the building to enjoy Cape Town’s best treats. The hotel’s Nobu Restaurant showcases the world-renowned Japanese-Peruvian fusion of Michelin-starred master chef Nobu Matsuhisa.

Lizzie (not pictured) spots spotted penguins, dolphins and sunfish while kayaking off the coast of Cape Town

Every February, the hotel hosts a wine festival where the country’s most exciting and experimental winemakers gather to showcase their latest products, while head sommelier Luvo Ntezo is named the best in the world.

Cape Town has many scenic spots to enjoy breathtaking views over dinner. During my stay at Harbor House (harbourhouse.co.za) on the waterfront, I watch yachts gently bob along the quay as I scoop up amber Inverroche oysters. I also enjoy 180-degree sea views while munching on braai bread — the much better South African equivalent of a grilled cheese sandwich — at Salt & Sage (saltandsage.co.za) in Bantry Bay.

Finally, I grin at the African penguin colony at Boulders Beach, near Simonstad, while The Beach Hut’s (die-strand-hut-roomys-winkel.besigheid.site) salted caramel ice cream runs sticky on my wrist.

Drink it up: Lizzie was “blown away” by the epic view framed by a large glass wall behind the central bar at the effortlessly polished One & Only Cape Town (above)

One of the locals: Lizzie grins at the African penguin colony in Cape Town

Finding good food in Cape Town comes as no surprise, but I’m much more surprised when I come across diamonds. Shimansky (shimansky.co.za) is one of South Africa’s most respected jewellers, sourcing ethically mined diamonds with a 100% no-conflict guarantee.

I have the opportunity to put on jumpsuits to handle and polish a very small diamond myself, and walk through the museum and showroom in the Clock Tower District to marvel at the jewels in their case, learn how to to be cut and graded, and the fascinating history of the shiny stones.

Cool down in the Cotswolds of South Africa

Think of Franschhoek as the Cotswolds of the Western Cape: pretty box of chocolate filled with boutique makers and well-chosen mini-brewers and surrounded by beautiful scenery.

Just under an hour’s drive from Cape Town, it’s the ideal combination for a city break – a place to slow down and enjoy the ancient vineyards, wildflower meadows and Cape Dutch architecture.

Franschhoek translates to ‘French Corner’ and commemorates the Huguenots who found land here in the 17th century while fleeing persecution in France. It’s also the smaller, slightly more sophisticated sister of Stellenbosch, the Cape’s other famous wine region.

Elegant Mont Rochelle, owned by Sir Richard Branson, is one of the most delightful places to stay here. With 26 rooms in three chic buildings, it sits atop a hill overlooking the charming town and was built as a 19th-century farmhouse.

Lizzie says the elegant Mont Rochelle (above), owned by Sir Richard Branson, is one of the most beautiful places in Franschhoek

Upon my arrival, the Cape Doctor – as the locals call the strong winds in the province – is blowing at full speed and the glowing agapanthus cradles the fur of the farm’s limp house cat, Blom.

The location is nothing short of idyllic and there is a lot of fun to be had in the area, especially in the form of the historic wine tram that winds through the meadows and vineyards and stops at wine farms for leisurely tastings.

In the 19th century, this line brought meat and fresh produce to all the farms in the area. Now it is possible to visit six in a day, but we only make it to two. The most impressive is the Grande Provence Heritage Wine Estate (grandeprovence.co.za), named one of the top 100 wineries in the world.

There is a delicious restaurant where we feast on Franschhoek trout and sous vide lamb while critically tasting the exquisite GP MCC Brut, Angels Tears Rosé and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Franschhoek’s historic wine tram winds its way through the meadows and vineyards, stopping at wine farms for leisurely tastings

Back on Mont Rochelle, head winemaker Michael Langenhoven explains how everything on the farm is picked by hand and 15,000 tonnes of grapes are used every week to produce Semillon, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. The juice is already fermenting for the sparkling wine they plan to produce next year.

As we finish our glasses, the moon emerges—a clean, polished slab that looks perfect on the mountaintop.

We take that as our cue to pop into the cozy Country Kitchen restaurant for tofu gnocchi and devilish chocolate cake.

We raise another glass to these winelands and the farmers who first plied their trade here hundreds of years ago.