Many scars still remain from the years of apartheid – including widespread poverty and one of the highest rates of crime in the world. What the visitor will find in South Africa, however, is a warm and friendly people, some of the world’s most dramatic scenery, a wealth of wildlife – and some incredibly good food that can be enjoyed along with the top-rated wines of the Cape region. Cape Town, with its trademark Table Mountain towering over the city, attracts the largest number of visitors. The city centre features a range of historic buildings in a mix of architectural styles, as well as a number of highly-regarded museums and galleries. Durban is highly popular with tourists looking for beaches and seaside activity. It boasts balmy weather throughout the year, making it the perfect destination for travellers in search of this type of holiday paradise. Five-star hotels and luxury apartments line the promenade along Durban’s beachfront, from which there are spectacular views of the Indian Ocean. Johannesburg is the country’s commercial and social hub, and is a vibrant place that reflects the diverse cultures that make up the city. Many of the current residents are the descendents of workers who came to the area in droves in the late 1800s, seeking to make their fortunes during the gold rush. The sedate and lovely city of Pretoria is known as the ‘jacaranda city’ owing to the profuse purple blossoms of the jacaranda trees that line many of its streets. The city has an interesting history, and visitors touring Pretoria will see many buildings that played a part in its history, as well as monuments of significance and a number of interesting museums. Kimberley is noted for its diamond mines; and the fascinating history of the development of the diamond industry can be seen in the exhibits that are on display at the Big Hole and at the colonial village located here. The city features many stately homes and municipal buildings set along pleasantly-shady streets – all towered over by the modern architecture of the centre. | 
