Houses of Parliament This guided tour of Parliament includes historical background and a synopsis on how Parliament works. Here you can witness debates by decision makers from the public galleries, or attend a hearing or a committee meeting. website: Houses of Parliament     Castle of Good Hope The Castle of Good Hope is the oldest building in South Africa. It is also the only remaining outpost of the old Dutch East Indian Company still managed and run as a military base. As South Africa’s oldest building, it is a symbol of the birth of Western civilisation on the subcontinent. The castle was completed in 1679 – its purpose, to protect the new settlement from possible attack. Back then, the ocean used to crash against the two south facing walls, effectively making this castle a functional fort.     Company Gardens One of Jan van Riebeeck's first tasks after coming ashore at Table Bay in April 1652, was to create a vegetable garden; one which would feed the Cape's first permanent European settlement. This humble patch of ground flourishes to this day and remains one of South Africa's most attractive and botanically interesting city parks.     District Six Museum The aim of the District Six Museum is to ensure that the history of forced removals lives on in the minds of all South Africans. The museum is curator of, and manages a collection of historical materials, fine prints and paintings, artifacts, photographic images, books and audio-visual recordings, most of which were donated by the ex-residents of District Six. Website: www.districtsix.co.za     V & A Waterfront One of Cape Town’s biggest tourist attractions. Much of its charm comes from the fact that, surrounded by a huge, authentically styled entertainment venue with pubs, restaurants, speciality shops, craft markets, theatres and movies, lies a busy commercial harbour. Website: www.waterfront.co.za     Robben Island About 12 kilometres north of Cape Town, Robben Island has over the years become synonymous with the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa. Now a World Heritage Site, it has come to symbolise, not only for South Africa, but also for the entire world, the triumph of the human spirit over enormous hardship and adversity. Website: www.robben-island.org.za     Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Table Mountain - a World Heritage Site - is a sandstone plateau towering over the Cape Flats. The top is approximately 3km wide, and at its highest point, Maclears Beacon, rises to 1085m above sea-level. Over the centuries it has become one of South Africa's most famous landmarks. The summit can be reached by trails or via cable-car. The latter was recently redesigned and revamped and boasts a revolving floor for panoramic viewing. Website: www.tablemountain.co.za     Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens Beautifully situated on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, these world-renowned gardens are dedicated to the preservation of the indigenous plants of Southern Africa. Some 6 000 different species are grown here, including ancient cycads and many species of Protea, Erica, Pelargoniums and Ferns. Website: www.kirstenbosch.co.za     Cape Point One of the Cape's main attractions is undoubtedly the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve at Cape Point. Noted for its floral diversity, the reserve presents a spectacular coastline, with Cape Point boasting the highest sea cliffs in South Africa. From this lofty vantage point, you can witness the meeting of the two oceans. Website: www.capepoint.co.za