Cape Town

• Best use: Give Cape Town one clear reason to go out: a Cape Malay meal, the mountain when operating, contemporary African art, or breakfast and rest.
• Default: Book Bo-Kaap Kombuis for a meal, with a short public-street look before it if daylight and conditions suit. You do not need to add the Waterfront afterward.
• Big mistake: Replacing a closed cableway with a supposedly weatherproof Peninsula or whale trip. These are different journeys with their own weather and return risks.
• What to skip: Hermanus in a four-hour window, an improvised mountain hike, and a vendor booking based only on repeated recommendations or an unverified crew discount.

Getting back before pickup

Set your accommodation as the start and end of the outing. Check both journeys, waiting and any connections before leaving. Set a leave-by alarm that gets you back with time for rest and preparation before your required crew pickup. Cut the extra stop if the return becomes uncertain.

• Ride booking: Compare the actual available vehicle and fare, match the plate and driver, and follow the current designated pickup instructions. Keep a backup method of payment and a saved destination.
• Walking: Plan short daytime connections deliberately. Avoid extending a meal into an unfamiliar late walk; arrange the return while still inside the venue.
• Money: Pay in ZAR, check included service and decline an unwanted home-currency conversion. Keep a small cash backup. Use a staffed bank or mall setting if you need an ATM and check charges before accepting.