The Best Off-The-Beaten Track Experiences in Cape Town
Richard Holt
CEO, Concepts Collections
For the most unique, authentic and rewarding experiences, you often have to veer off the paths well-trodden and discover the spots that haven’t yet made it onto the guidebooks. And that’s where DMCs like Concepts Collection can really come on top.
Experts in events and destination management and local to Cape Town, Concepts Collection is a company committed to bringing some of the most engaging and immersive group experiences across Southern Africa – experiences that go way beyond the normal tourist path, stir emotions, offer fresh insights and connect to the real heart and soul of a destination.
English by birth, their CEO Richard first arrived in South Africa in the late 1990’s as part of a business consulting team but soon fell in love with the country and moved in search of a new adventure, founding Concepts Collection in 2004.
So, in the city he now considers home we’ve asked Richard to share some off the beaten track experiences for those who wish to dive deeper into the very essence of this most beautiful yet complex city.
MEET THE LOCALS
As an extensive traveller myself I find that connecting with the authenticity of the local people and communities always leaves the biggest impression and lasting memories and this is something we always try to weave into our client experiences.
In Cape Town - the best place to do this is at the Oranjezicht City Farm Market on a Saturday or Sunday morning, when the full spectrum of Cape Town life arrives for shopping, coffee, breakfast and catch up. Originally started as a not-for-profit project supporting urban farming and sustainability, it is now an artisanal food market under a tent at the oceans edge next to the city’s famous Waterfront district. With 80 traders now serve up an array of delicious food, food, and more food, within a few minutes you will be eating, drinking and chatting away with locals like long lost friends.
ROOM WITH A VIEW
My favourite “hidden gem hotel” for smaller groups is the Dorp Hotel high on the slopes of Signal Hill overlooking the city and Table Mountain. Quirky, eccentric and downright bizarre in places, it’s an unforgettable experience and our clients seeking something different absolutely love it. With 40 unique rooms spread out in a village style layout of secret gardens, balconies and terraces it has the best views out over the city and every time I visit it feels like coming home. My words can’t do it real justice, so check it out online.
LET’S GET PHYSICAL
As an outdoor city with a healthy mindset, adrenaline and adventure activities are the norm amongst locals and always a big hit with our groups. Hiking up and around and abseiling down the world’s second largest granite outcrop is always a memorable day out. Paarl Rock towers over the Cape Winelands but is very much off the tourist radar, however once experienced and photographed it’s never forgotten and always talked about over a lazy winelands lunch.
ART ON THE STREETS
Cape Town is a hugely creative city with a thriving African and international art scene in its many forms. There a huge number of art galleries across the city and Southern Guild at the Waterfront district is one I always visit to see the latest celebration of African artists - but for a real art experience and to meet the artists, I always take to the streets. Cape Town is home to some of the world’s best and brightest street artists, beginning in the 1990’s as a political protest as opposition grew against the apartheid regime. Increasingly angry and emotional paintings appeared on the walls of Cape Town’s notorious District Six and since then graffiti art has taken on a new expression adjoining the walls of many inner-city districts and telling the stories of an emerging nation. We take our groups to meet and walkabout with street artists and characters like Mak1one, to hear the real stories behind the art and to meet the local communities.
GASTRONOMIC DELIGHT
Everyone who visits Cape Town leaves remembering the quality, value and dining experience of our amazing restaurants and food choices. From fine dining to casual eateries and food from across the globe we are lucky, lucky. Here are a few of my top recommendations. The Pot Luck Club from the stable of chef Luke Dale Roberts, is fine dining but with a twist, with small plates the order of the day. A real buzzy vibe, excellent wine list and stunning views out over old industrial Cape Town and the harbour on one side and Table Mountain on the other it’s a top spot for group dining or exclusive use. The Chefs warehouse at Tintswalo Atlantic is celebratory fine dining with probably the best ocean front location in the world. Long lazy group lunches with views out over the Constantia wine route and ocean beyond at Constantia Glen wine estate are loved by our clients. Overall, my current favourite is a lunch restaurant Table Seven in industrial Salt River, where smaller groups sit at the chefs table whilst Luke Wonnacott prepares his choices of the day in front of you. Its proper Cape Town.
ALL AT SEA
As one of the world’s great ocean cities, there are so many group experiences to create on the water from learning to surf, kayaking with penguins, powerboating to the seal colonies and shark cage diving amongst others. However, one deeper-dive experience that is totally hidden from view, is underwater snorkelling and diving in the vast kelp forests off the coast around Boulders Beach, Africa’s largest penguin colony. Accompanied by a marine biologist and photographer to capture the full environmental story, it’s a colourful, eerie and totally surprising adventure amongst the kelp and marine life.
WINE ROUTE LESS TRAVELLED
No visit to Cape Town is complete without some time spent in our spectacular winelands. With dramatic scenery, fabulous wine, world class restaurants and boutique hotels, most groups head straight to the famous and more glamorous Stellenbosch and Franschhoek wine routes. For those wanting something more authentic and real I personally I love the lesser known Swartland and Paardeberg wine regions 50 minutes North and East of the city. It is away from the tourist buses and crowds and characterised by small independent wine farms and rebellious and maverick wine makers transforming our industry and making some of the world's best Syrah, Chenin Blanc and white blends. Our experiences take you into the lives and homes of these winemakers and give our groups a real alternative view of our wine country.
COFFEE CURIOSITY
Capetonians have a burgeoning obsession with the coffee bean and scene, with Truth Coffee recently being voted best coffee shop in the world by the British Telegraph. Described as a scene from a Tim Burton film, it is certainly worth a visit for great coffee and breakfast.
With an independently owned coffee shop on almost every street corner it’s a key part of Cape Town life. My 3 favourite java joints are: The Expresso Lab in the Old Biscuit Mill complex, the Hans & Lloyd coffee roastery in Newlands village and my local, Chardonnay Deli in Constantia. Great coffee and conversation guaranteed in each – along with fabulous home-made delicacies.
Concepts Collection will be partnering with us as we head to Cape Town in June for our much-anticipated Q2 event. So, join us there and find out more about Concepts Collection, network with 100 of the Top Luxury Brands and see some of Cape Town’s hidden gems for yourself! Click here for more details.