Diversity Rules Magazine

8 | Diversity Rules Magazine | Aug 2023 Pride Journeys South Africa By Joey Amato Joey Amato is the founder and publisher of Pride Journeys, an LGBTQ travel website and syndicated column. For more LGBTQ travel ideas, please visit www. pridejourneys.com. I first visited South Africa six years ago with a group of friends. It was one of the most incredible jour- neys I had ever been on, and I knew I wanted to re- turn. I fell in love with Cape Town and of course, all the animals we saw while on safari, so when the op- portunity came to visit the country again, I knew I couldn't pass it up. Cape Town is one of my favorite ci es in the world. Words can't describe how beau ful the city is espe- cially when you venture outside the city center and explore the beau ful scenic overlooks surrounding the Cape of Good Hope offering stunning views of the Atlan c and Indian oceans. I stayed at the Capital 15 on Orange, a modern bou- que hotel located just outside of the city center which boasts a grand lobby, a fully equipped fitness center, and a wonderful restaurant. Most hotels in South Africa include breakfast so be sure to research those op ons before you book. The breakfast buffet at the Capital 15 was one of the best I've ever had. It will help you save a bit of money even though at the moment, the exchange rate is quite favorable for American tourists. My favorite aspect of Capital 15 was the room. I've stayed in many hotel rooms over the years, and this one comes close to the top of my list. The room features a king-size bed with luxury linens, an enor- mous bathroom with a walk-in shower and a sepa- rate soaking tub as well as unobstructed views of Table Mountain, one of Cape Town's most famous landmarks. Speaking of a rac ons, the Victoria & Alfred water- front is a must-see des na on. Somehow, I skipped this on my last visit to Cape Town, but I quickly real- ized why it should be on top of everyone's list. The area contains dozens of restaurants, shops, and en- tertainment op ons and is the perfect place to grab lunch or dinner while gazing out into the harbor. This is also the launching point of our Cape Town helicopter tour. I had never flown in a helicopter be- fore, so I was a bit nervous, but the team at NAC He- licopters made the process simple and kept us safe while we viewed the city from the sky. For being a travel journalist, I have a strange fear of flying, so being thousands of feet in the air is a bit unnerving, but the views were incredible. South Africa is known for its incredible wines. If you are looking to visit some vineyards while in Cape Town, Jeep Tours Cape Town offers tours of the Stellenbosch region, just a quick 45 minutes from the city. We had the opportu- nity to stop by three beau- ful vineyards and sample some of their world-class wines including Chenin Blanc and Pinotage, the sig- nature grape of the region. Jeep Tours Cape Town have personal rela onships with each vineyard they visit and therefore have access to private spots not available to the public. The woman-owned business can cus- tomize trips from a small party to a large group and if you would like to just visit LGBTQ vineyards or those which employ LGBTQ winemakers, they can make that happen as well. Gay culture is plen ful in Cape Town. Almost every- where you visit will be welcoming to LGBTQ tourists, but if you are looking to grab a cocktail at LGBTQ- specific spots, try Café Manha an and Beefcakes, where the servers are shirtless and offer guests the opportunity to take shots off their scan ly clad bod- ies…or so I've heard!

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