Well, where do you start? Cape Town has to be one of the most foot-friendly cities in the world, encapsulated as it is at the foot of the magnificent Table Mountain. Everything is close enough to allow large sections to be covered on foot, which is one of the best ways to experience the unique mix of characters that make the city great.

St George’s Mall is a great place to start, lined as it is with stalls selling everything from your name on a grain of rice, (price depends on number of characters, apparently) to some amazingly bright artwork, with plenty of clothing bargains to be had as well. For those looking for more substantial mementos, there are many fine jewelers and gold merchants just itching to satisfy your need for need for base elements…

Long Street is also well known, more for the nightlife, but also worth checking out in the day, as there are many quirky shops catering to your every whim. From 60’s deco and furniture to the largest bead shop in the southern hemisphere, there will be at least one shop worthy of a double take. If you are into fish and chips, stop by Favela’s fisheries, one of the oldest eateries on the street. Try the chip roll, and be hungry…

Mr. Pickwick’s is also a Long Street institution, known as much for it’s eclectic music as its food, and excellent milkshakes. (Tin roof with Kahlua, anyone?) And it would be wrong not to mention Mama Africa, a restaurant serving truly African cuisine in a vibrant setting, complete with live entertainment, a purple snake as a bar counter, and a sign declaring “We serve tourists”. Which wouldn’t be so bad, were it not for the picture of a camera-toting, pith helmet-wearing character taking a bath in a large cauldron, closely attended to by a spear-wielding savage…

There are so many places to see you might get sore feet, and be prepared to be “bartered’ with, but there are few things as rewarding as a stroll through the city… you might just find that moment that makes a holiday.