Our blog post has moved

We have moved our blog post and invite you to view all the latest happenings and up to date news from the Cape Point Route here. http://www.capepointroute.co.za/blog/

Feel free to contact us at any time for news, information or booking details for anything on the Cape Peninsula, Cape Town, South Africa

Tel: +27 (0)21 782 9356
Email: info@capepointroute.co.za
Website: www.capepointroute.co.za

Navy Festival - Beat the traffic - take the train !

If you thought I was joking about the traffic to Simon's Town during the SA Navy Festival - look at these images found on www.saairforce.co.za of the traffic coming into Simon's Town on festival day.

Click HERE for details of the Navy Birthday Festival in Simon's Town.

So BEAT the traffic and take the train. See also update regarding later train schedule on the Southern Line (Cape Town - Simon's Town).

If you don't want to drive and you don't want to take the train and you still want to go to the festival, Cape Point Route recommends STAYING in Simon's Town and walking and exploring with no parking hassles. Contact Cape Point Route if you are looking for last minute accommodation in Simon's Town for the Navy birthday festival 01 - 03 April 2011. Tel: 021 782 9356

Don't forget to find Just Nuisance statue on Jubilee Square and pay tribute to the famous Great Dane whose birthday on the 01 April!

Images:

1. Traffic on Main Road - navy Festival 2010 taken by Allan Roy and posted on www.saairforce.co.za

2. traffic of Navy Festival 2010 on Main Road - posted by Monique on www.saairforce.co.za

3. Right of Entry parade - Navy Festival Simon's Town. Courtesy of SA Navy

4. Ships and submarines open to the public at the Navy Festival - picture courtesy of SA Navy

Later Trains for Southerners

Great news for Commuters to the Cape Point Route- the train times have been extended with later service hours on the Cape Town - Simon's Town line. Please see press release below.

Monday 28 March 2011 sees the introduction of an extended commuter train service between Cape Town and Simon’s Town. The existing afternoon services have been supplemented with three additional trains departing from Cape Town Station.

South bound commuters now have the flexibility of twenty-one trains leaving the city between 16:10 and 21:10. Twenty of these afternoon trains stop at Retreat, eighteen stop at Fish Hoek and nine operate as far as Simon’s Town. The trains will stop at all stations en route.

The pilot is one of several collaborative initiatives between public transport partners Metrorail, the Provincial Ministry of Transport & Public Works and the City of Cape Town’s Directorate for Transport, Roads & Storm Water to improve public transport provision.

Metrorail’s Regional Manager Lindelo Matya said: ‘We are confident that the extended hours will find favour with our existing customers’. He added: ‘The convenience and affordability of the later service is aimed at attracting new markets from within the CBD.’

The City of Cape Town will extend the operational hours of security guards at 10 park-and-rides along the Southern rail line, to coincide with Metrorail’s extended operational hours. These park & ride facilities include Simon’s Town, Fish Hoek, Muizenberg, Lakeside, Retreat, Heathfield, Diep River, Plumstead, Kenilworth and Claremont.

“The benefits of the security guards at park-and-rides and the extended commuter train service include reducing congestion and the pollution associated with motor vehicles, reducing the public’s dependency on private vehicles, reducing time spent traveling each day, as well as a significant saving in travelling costs”, said Councillor Elizabeth Thompson, Mayoral Committee Member for Transport, Roads and Major Projects. “Accordingly the City of Cape Town will provide security guards at ten park-and-rides along this line until 30 minutes after the last train has left the particular station” said Cllr. Thompson.

The MEC for Transport and Public Works, Robin Carlisle assured commuters that they have put measures in place to make it safe for commuters to use this service. “I urge all motorists to make full use of these extended services. Those who work late now have the opportunity to use safe, reliable and affordable train services that suit their unique work schedules. We have put in place strong safety and security measures to safeguard the park and ride facilities and ensure that the safety of commuters is not at risk during train tips”. “The re-introduction of the extended services for Simon’s Town is our first attempt to revive the late night train service that was once a common feature of our public transport system in the past.”

The extended rail operational hours now provide Capetonians the option of working flexi-hours, whilst still using public transport. The City’s Sustainable Transport Section continues to encourage large employers to explore the notion of flexi-hours, an idea supported by Metrorail and the Cape Regional Chamber. The later trains provide an opportunity for some employees to vary their working hours and revise their shifts, reducing hour peak demand on public transport. Students too can remain on campus later while assured of a train home.

This extended service is a pilot project that will run for six months. The successes and challenges of this pilot project will be monitored and evaluated, as it will inform the decision to permanently reinstate evening trains or not. The success of this pilot could see similar services introduced on other lines in the city.

Detailed information is available from the City’s Transport Information Centre on 0800 65 64 63, transport.info@capetown.gov.za or on www.capetown.gov.za. The rail time tables are available on www.capemetrorail.co.za

Cape Point Route offers a wide range of Accommodation, Activities, Attractions, Restaurants, Venues, Shops, Tours and Packages on the CAPE PENINSULA, CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA

SA Navy Festival - 01 - 03 April 2011

The South African Navy Festival has a new name for 2011 and will now be called the “SA Navy Birthday Festival”. The SA Navy was established on the 1st April 1922. Next year's festival will coincide with the SA Navy's 90th birthday.

The South African Navy will open its doors to the people of South Africa to come and explore the navy culture and environment at the East Dockyard in Simon’s Town.

Entrance to the festival is free and gates will open daily from 10am until 6pm. There will be various events in the main arena and around the dockyard that both young and old will find entertaining. It is recommended to stay in Simon’s Town due to traffic or get there early. Contact Cape Point Route for accommodation availability. Tel" 021 782 9356

Here are some of the standard attractions to look forward to during the festival:
• Ships and Submarines open to the public
• Tug Rides
• Flea Market
• Entertainment for children and a Tea Garden
• Please note that the popular tea garden and children’s entertainment will move to the I.C.E. workshop next to the pump house

The following events will take place in the Arena area:
• Gun Run Display
• Navy Band performance
• Fire Fighting Display Competition
• Dog Display by the SA Navy’s Dog Unit
• Mast Display
• SA Navy Precision Drill
• The Sea Cadets Precision Drill
• Izivunguvungu Youth Band.


There will be Various Live and Static Displays such as:
• Ship boarding display by the Maritime Reaction Squadron
• Lynx & Oryx Helicopters Display
• Live Canon Firing
• South African Navy Diving Display
• Tug ‘ballet’
• Silver Falcons
• Coca Cola SA Navy Talent Show
• Coca Cola SA Navy 5-a-side Soccer Tournament
• Diver’s Exhibition and Divers Tank
• Submarine Museum SAS Assegaai – Adults R20 and Children R10
• SANAD Gun Display

Major Events: SA Navy Birthday Festival 01 – 03 April 2011

01 April: 09:00 Right of Entry parade through Simon’s Town
01 April: 20:00 Dry Dock Concert at East Dockyard (free entry)
02 April: 09:30 – 10:00 Unveiling of SS Mendi Plaque, Jubilee Square
02 April: 17:45 Navy Choir performance in SAS Simonsberg Cinema Hall (free entry)
02 April: 10:00 Night Gunnery Shoot from Lower North Gun Battery
03 April: 08:00 – 09:00 Navy Remembrance Parade, Fleet Command HQ
03 April: 17:20 – 18:00 Retreat Ceremony, East Dockyard, Arena area

BRING YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS TO EXPERIENCE SOME NAVY CULTURE.
Enquiries: Sub-Lieutenant Leverne Benjamin Telephone: (021) 787 4620

LOGISTICS: Getting to Simon’s Town

Take the train! The Simon’s Town Line is OPEN and you will beat the traffic!

Or take the train to Kalk Bay and Catch the Water Taxi to Simon's Town

DRIVING: OPTION A:
M3 highway – at the t-junction at the end of the highway turn left to Main Road (M4)
Continue along the M4, through Fish Hoek (bearing left at the traffic circle) until you reach Simon’s Town
(please note that the M4 between St James and Kalk Bay is southbound traffic only)

DRIVING OPTION B:
M3 highway – at the t-junction at the end of the highway turn left to Main Road (M4)
Turn right at Boyes Drive (near Westlake arms) for the scenic drive above Muizenberg.
Turn right onto Main Road when you reach the T-junction with the M4 and continue as above.

DRIVING OPTION C:
M3 highway – at the t-junction at the end of the highway turn right.
Bear left at the Ou Kaapse Weg (M64) turnoff, travel over the mountain and past shopping mall on your right once you are over the other side. Travel through 2 sets of traffic lights, then climb over the hill on the Glencairn Expressway.
At the T-junction with Main Road (M4) turn right in direction of Simon’s Town.

DRIVING OPTION D:
M3 highway – at the t-junction at the end of the highway turn right.
Bear left at the Ou Kaapse Weg (M64) turnoff, travel over the mountain and past shopping mall on your right once you are over the other side.
At the 2nd set of traffic lights – turn RIGHT onto Kommetjie road (M65) and follow the road, Before you reach Kommetjie , turn left after Ocean View.
Follow the road through Scarborough and continue for approximately 3km.
At the Red Hill/Scarborough/Cape Point intersection – turn left at the Red Hill sign (M66) – recognisable by the art and craft stall.
Traverse the mountain (amazing views) and when you reach the T- junction on the other side (M4), turn right to Simon’s Town.

Let Cape Point Route book your accommodation for the South African Navy Birthday Festival in Simon's Town.

IMAGES:
All images taken by Dean Wingrin at SA Navy Festival 2010 as found on www.flyafrica.info
1. SA Navy parade in Simon's Town
2. A busy Naval dockyard in Simon's Town
3. SAAF Super Lynx arriving in Simon's Tow
4. Canon firing at the gun run in Simon's Town
5. Submarines: S103 in front of S102

Cape Point Route - about us

You are probably reading this because you have received Cape Point Route’s first newsletter. That means you have enquired or booked services on the Cape Point Route. You could be a friend, colleague or supplier to the Cape Point Route and requested news and information. If you have found this by chance then welcome and we hope you will subscribe to our newsletter to receive regular news from us.

Who Are We?
Cape Point Route was started by Barbara Elshove-Schmidt and Sally Grierson – Capetonians who have always cherished Cape Town but especially the Cape Peninsula as it has been our backyard and our playground. We are passionate about where we live, work and play and we invite you to explore our daily reality and discover the Cape Point Route – “Cape Town’s Playground.

What is the Cape Point Route?
The Cape Point Route is an area of natural beauty, diverse cultures and unique attractions and activities. The choices are endless and can be overwhelming with so many options available. We have the inside edge, and have pretty much been there and done that in the area. Ask us to help you plan your holiday, book your accommodation or simply ask our advice on what to do...anything from kids to animals, history to culture, adrenalin activities to leisurely lunches.

Where is the Cape Point Route?
The Cape Point Route is the stretch of land at the south-western tip of Africa that extends beyond Cape Town city Centre. We incorporate the Cape Town suburbs of Hout Bay, Noordhoek, Kommetjie, Scarborough, the Cape of Good Hope, Simon’s Town, Fish Hoek, Kalk Bay, St James and Muizenberg.

Why visit the Cape Point Route?
This is a place where you can surf before breakfast, pop into a fine art cafe for lunch, have cocktails with penguins and hot chocolate while watching whales. Try sunrise kayaking, midday mountain biking or moonlight hiking. Stay in luxury at a deluxe accommodation establishment, find a cosy B&B or guesthouse or bring family or friends for a self-catering holiday away from home. We’ve got it, you just need to choose it or let us know what you want....and that’s why you need to visit the Cape Point Route.

What’s up?
Don’t delay – book today. Cape Town is HOT and happening at this time of year so book now to avoid missing out on the action. Check our events page on Facebook to find out what’s on.

Some mini previews:
• 13 March 2011: Pick ‘n Pay Cape Argus Cycle Tour
• 25 – 26 March 2011: Cape Town International Jazz Festival
• 1 – 3 April 2011: South African Navy Festival
• 27 March – 11 April 2011: Western Cape School Holidays
• 22 April – 25 April 2011: Easter Weekend
• 23 April 2011: Two Oceans Marathon

IMAGES:
Cape Point Route team as cover girls in our annual brochure from 2007 - 2011

Getaway with a Group of Friends this Easter

We all get by with a little help from our friends and travelling is no exception - holidays are more fun with your buddies. Cape Point Route can help find a relaxing spot for a girls’ weekend, a boys’ weekend, golf breaks, beach breaks, a wine-tasting soiree or a wild energetic weekend. Learn a new skill, celebrate a birthday, book spa treatments or chill out with a good book! So let loose and have a good time.

If you are planning to go away with a group of friends, why not contact Cape Point Route to find your accommodation. Let us know how many people and what you plan on doing. We can source a big house or a villa or a self catering cottage depending on the group size and where you’d like to be situated on the Cape Point Route – choose a town, choose mountain or sea and let us know your budget range then let us find your group getaway so you can plan the fun stuff!

We can help with suggestions of things to do as a group or check out some of the activities available on the Cape Point Route to get some ideas.
We look forward to helping you find a group getaway to share with your friends.

Click here for more information or to send a request. We've got it, you choose it and let us sort out the details for you this Easter.

Check out all the Easter Events on our Facebook Page.

Cape Point Route offers a wide range of Accommodation, Activities, Attractions, Restaurants, Venues, Shops, Tours and Packages on the Cape Peninsula, Cape Town, South Africa.

We have Hout Bay Accommodation, Noordhoek Accommodation, Kommetjie Accommodation, Scarborough Accommodation, Cape of Good Hope Accommodation, Simon’s Town Accommodation, Fish Hoek Accommodation, Kalk Bay Accommodation, St James Accommodation and Muizenberg Accommodation.

Click here for more romantic escapes and family breakson the Cape Point Route this Easter.

Images:
Hiking in Cape Point Nature Reserve, girls weekend away - Janis Kennedy
Cycling on the Cape Point Route - Daytrippers
Shooting pool at Villa St James - boys weekend away - Grant Johnson

Just the Two of You this Easter

Dreaming of a bed with a view, breakfast made for two and time to hang out with your loved one? Spend Easter with just the Two of You in a special getaway on the Cape Point Route – a choice of decadent B&B’s or cozy lodges or coastal hotels.

Easter on the Cape Point Route provides the perfect opportunity for couples to spend time together and get away from the daily grind. For most wanting a retreat, it’s all about the setting.

Find accommodation on the False Bay Coastline and the coastal villages of Muizenberg, St James, Kalk Bay, Clovelly, Fish Hoek or Simon’s Town – each town offers it’s own piece of character and blessed with ocean views and with mountains as their backdrop.

On the Atlantic Seaboard, search the towns of Scarborough, Kommetjie, Noordhoek and Hout Bay for a couples getaway which could be next to the coast or tucked into a mountain setting.

On either side you will be close to activities, attractions and restaurants. The accommodation choices range from bed and breakfast spots to owner run guesthouses and stylish hotels.

The choice is vast, the options are endless so why not contact Cape Point Route and let us know what you want for your couple’s retreat and we will help match your needs to the right establishment. Romantic packages also available Tel: 021 782 9356

Click Here for Cape Point Route Events

Images:
1. Olifantsbos beach in Cape Point Nature Reserve (courtesy of friends)
2. Meal with a view - image courtesy of Cape Point
3. Sunset horse-riding 0 image courtesy of Cape Town Tourism
4. Bed with a view - courtesy of guesthouse in Kommetjie