The next stop on our 5 Healthy Days tour is Cape Town – the second most populous city in South Africa, after Johannesburg.
Cape Town is a fascinating multicultural destination. This city is alive with arts and culture, with unique restaurants and sights around every corner, and this year The New York Times named it the best place in the world to visit.
Its history of apartheid is still apparent to those who visit Robben Island, a former penitentiary island six miles from the city. The prison is known for the many famous political prisoners that were held for years, including the late Nelson Mandela.
It’s a place where you can refresh your mind, body and soul while soaking in the history. So let’s get started on your healthy journey to South Africa’s Cape Town.
Day 1
Breakfast: Start your day right with a traditional English breakfast or Swiss Bircher muesli (oats, nuts, seasonal fruit and yogurt) at Borage Bistro.
Workout: If you go to Cape Point, a section of Table Mountain National Park, you’ll be privy to awesome scenery, fantastic walks, often deserted beaches and approximately 250 species of birds.
Lunch: There’s a café at the top of the mountain – enjoy some chicken curry while still enjoying the view.
Mind/body balance: With all of the walking you’re doing, yoga and stretching is exactly what you need. Drop in a class at Yoga Factor studio.
Must-see attraction: Table Mountain National Park is one of the most popular tourist spots in Cape Town, and for good reason. The views are phenomenal, not only from the top of the mountain, but also in the revolving car on cableway ride that takes you to the top. In addition to the views, there are shops for you to peruse up there too.
Dinner: Dine at the top rated Rust en Vrede restaurant. Try their home smoked Scottish salmon or pan roasted monkfish to end your day on a high, yet healthy note.
Day 2
Breakfast: Fill up on some hearty eggs with fresh tomato, toast and jam at Gardener’s Cottage.
Workout: Head to De Waal Park for a scenic jog. We recommend including Peter Gabriel’s Biko on your playlist for this run (if you don’t know the song, it’s the story of South African prisoner of conscience Stephen Biko).
Lunch: Take a seat and dine on a gorgonzola and butternut salad with greens, pumpkin seeds and pears for lunch at Café Mozart.
Mind/body balance: Reboot for the second half of your day by dining on butternut ravioli filled with pumpkinseeds and tenderstem broccoli at Aubergine.
Must-see attraction: Go to Newlands Brewery for a tour and to learn about large-scale beer making. Just don’t get too crazy with the samples!
Dinner: The Savoy Cabbage restaurant is one of Cape Town’s best restaurants, preparing meals with fresh and seasonal ingredients. Most of the produce here is organic and free range. Dine on smoked paprika mushroom stroganoff with roasted coconut basmati rice.
Day 3
Breakfast: Kick start your busy day at Melissa’s with the coddled eggs dish, which is a bit spicy with spinach and spring onions.
Workout: Have fun and get moving in a Zumba class at Dance4Fitness studio.
Lunch: Stop in for lunch at O’Ways Teacafé (pronounced ‘always’) – try the steamed har gou w brussel sprouts, green beans and goji berries dish.
Must-see attraction: Take a ferry over the water to Robben Island. This used to be a prison until about 1996, but it is now a Unesco World Heritage site, preserved as a memorial to Nelson Mandela and others who spent many years incarcerated here.
Mind/body balance: Be sure to visit the Nelson Mandela Gateway museum on Robben Island. Here you will have the opportunity to learn about this country’s struggle for equality.
Dinner: Enjoy fusion-style dishes at Myoga. We recommend the whitefish grilled with lemon butter dish.
Day 4
Breakfast: Start your day at vida e caffè at Kirstenbosch with their granola or muesli yogurt dishes.
Workout: Enjoy the views during your run through Arderne Gardens.
Lunch: Refuel at Kirstenbosch Tea Room with the open health sandwich.
Mind/body balance: Take a trip to the Angsana Spa for a calming bath treatment.
Must-see attraction: Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is touted as the most beautiful garden in Africa, lush with unique plant life, protected mountainside supporting natural forest and a wide array of animals and birds.
Dinner: Unwind at moyo kirstenbosch with the Mozambique peri peri prawns.
Day 5
Breakfast: Get your most important meal of the day at Dear Me – you’ll have an amazing, energy-filled day after you dine on their superfood raw chia seed porridge with goji berries.
Workout: Take a hike out at Cape Point, where you’ll likely catch a glimpse of baboons.
Lunch: Stop in to Café Roux and try their power salad, which is complete with organic quinoa, sprouts, broccoli, feta and toasted seeds with rocket, baby spinach and a mint dressing. Add even more protein with free-range Cajun chicken on top.
Mind/body balance: Check out the Castle of Good Hope – it is Cape Town’s oldest surviving building!
Must-see attraction: Go to the District Six Museum, which pays tribute to communities forcibly removed from their homes in District Six during apartheid.
Dinner: Dinner and a show! Head to The Baxter Theatre Centre to view their latest performances and dine on some of their varieties of curries or vegetable bakes from their well-known buffet dinner.
