Cape Town holidays

Enthusiastic surfers take to the waters in Cape Town year-round, and the waves are particularly impressive in winter. Muizenberg, only 30-minute away from the city centre, is one of the world's best learn-to-surf spots. You could even find a cheap surf-and-yoga holiday package where you can take surfing lessons in the morning and practise yoga poses in the evening.

Glen Beach and Dunes (near Noordhoek Beach) is renowned for its high, aggressive waves and world-class tubes, which are perfect for seasoned surfers looking for powerful, hollow waves. Boulders Beach, starred with a 3,000-strong African penguin colony, is another highlight - there's a boardwalk from the Visitor Centre where you can view the penguins without disturbing them.

Although Cape Town remains warm throughout the year, there can be cold and wet times between June and August when temperatures range from 7-18C.

It's during these months, the so-called 'off-season', when hotel and resort prices are at their cheapest. The most popular time for holiday breaks and all-inclusive packages is between December and February, which is the African summer.

The best time to have a holiday in Cape Town is actually during the shoulder seasons, September to October (spring) and April to May (autumn), when there are many crisp, clear days ideal for sightseeing and sunbathing. Prices for all-inclusive packages are cheaper during this time, too.

Enjoying a weekend break at Stellenbosch is a real treat for wine connoisseurs, as this is the place to try South Africa's most famous red-wine grape, Pinotage, which is a cross of Burgundy's Pinot Noir and the heat-tolerant Cinsault.

Top wineries at which to try Pinotage are Allée Bleue, Kanonkop, and Simonsig - even if you aren't into wine, the beauty of the valley will strike you, and fresh local olives and cheeses will tempt you.

For a grim, but fascinating insight into the history of the Apartheid period, visit Robben Island, the prison where Nelson Mandela served much of his 27-year sentence. Today, this island features a museum with guided tours to Mandela's cell and the Blue Stone quarry where inmates worked. To get to the island, take the ferries that depart from the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the Victoria & Alfred waterfront.

Table Mountain is Cape Town's crowning glory, and there are hundreds of hiking trails leading to the flat summit, with hikes taking about three hours. Alternatively, you can zip to the top via cable car in six minutes. Once you're at the top, give abseiling a try - getting a great view of Cape Town while hanging off the cliff is an experience you won't forget!