Condé Nast Traveler has announced its 27th Readers’ Choice Awards, reflecting the favourite travel destinations of its 76,600 readers.
Cape Town was ranked 4th favourite travel destination in the world, following Florence in top spot, Charleston in South Carolina in second place, and Budapest in third position. Cape Town beat San Miguel de Allende in Mexico, Prague, Rome, Siem Reap in Cambodia, Barcelona, and Sante Fe in New Mexico.
The accolade for Cape Town is as follows: ‘Cape Town is the best city in the world for blending urban culture with the great outdoors: They’re literally a five-minute drive from each other.
There’s an exploding food scene, with vegetables, wine, and cheese coming from the gorgeous Cape Winelands; and then there’s the top of Table Mountain which, on the right day, can feel as pristine and empty as when the Dutch first pitched up in the early 17th century.
Eat at Luke Dale-Roberts’ The Test Kitchen; go to sunbathe and people-gawk at Clifton 2nd Beach; surf, if you dare, at Muizenberg (sharks!), and climb Lion’s Head for crazy 360-degree views of the city’.
In the Best Hotels in Africa category, seven Cape Town hotels made the Top 10 list, with the One&Only Cape Town at the number one slot, followed by Ellerman House at number 2, the Belmond Mount Nelson at number 3, the Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa at number 4, Cape Cadogan at number 5, the Cape Grace at number 9, and the Table Bay Hotel at number 10.
The Saxon Boutique Hotel in Johannesburg made the 7th spot on the hotel list.
In the Top 20 Safari Lodges and Best Resorts in South Africa Londolozi Sabi Sand won Top Safari Camp , followed by Singita Sabi Sand, Lion Sands Sabi Sand, Bushmanskloof Wilderness Reserve, and Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve.