Table Mountain has made it onto the first shortlist for the new 7 Wonders of Nature.

It is possible that there will be changes between the currentprovisional winners and the eventual finally confirmed winners, but the confirmed winners will be announced early 2012.

The World Heritage Site of Table Mountain rises over 1,000m above Cape Town, and can be seen from 150 km out to sea. Its flattened peak makes it one of the most recognisable mountains in the world, and you simply can’t visit Cape Town without making a trip to the top.

One of 2 cable cars, each capable of holding up to 65 passengers, whisks you up the mountain to the top in less than 5 minutes. The 360 degree rotating floor adds to the excitement, giving everyone on board the opportunity to look out over the spectacular scenery, including the neighbouring Devil’s Peak, Lions Head and Signal Hill (whose name is taken from when flags were flown to warn ofapproaching ships, and from where the Noon Day Gun is fired at midday every day apart from Sundays), as well as views along the jagged peaks of the Twelve Apostles mountain range, and Robben Island out in the bay.

Many trails wind across the rocky flattened ‘tabletop’ summit, each leading to different viewpoints.

Not the most exciting blog ever to have been written, but it is a ‘need to know’ thing for anyone who is travelling to Cape Town over the next few weeks.

As happens every year, the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway will close for annual maintenance between July 18th and July 31st and the cableway will reopen for business on August 1st, weather permitting.

But don’t let that stop you going up Table Mountain … there are walking trails ….

15 on Orange Hotel is a relatively new hotel to Cape Town. It is a true icon of style, and is located in the upmarket suburb of Gardens at the foot of Table Mountain, literally just around the corner from the presigious Mount Nelson Hotel.

The location is ideal, as during the day, guests can comfortably walk to all the city’s attractions, including the National Museum, the Planetarium, and the Company Gardens. The vibrant V&A Waterfront is a slightly longer walk, true, but still manageable !

The hotel’s distinctive architecture and décor (including a purple pool table !) truly defies categorization and sets this hotel apart from the ordinary ‘run of the mill’ style hotels that you may expect to find in a city.

The 15 on Orange experience begins with an engineered stone red carpet reception set in crisp white Volakas marble.

Then marvel at the 7-storey high atrium, enjoy a cocktail in the Murano Bar and try to count the 20,000 murano crystal that rim the outer edge of the bar, or if you get bored with doing that, just chill and enjoy the 360 degree views of Table Mountain, Lion’s Head, Signal Hill and the city. Or even retire to the Judges Lounge, with its 700 law books complimenting the sophisticated ambience.

No detail is spared to ensure optimum comfort and luxury in your spacious suite. Suites are equipped with a host of first-class leisure and entertainment amenities including 2 flat screen televisions, a DVD player and satellite television channels.

Sandblasted glass doors lead into your sumptuous en-suite bathroom, which features a stylish, oversized bath set behind a sparkling Marmaran glass-encrusted wall, and a raindrop shower.

The Suntra Spa offers a range of speciality facial treatments as well as an extensive array of body massages, exfoliation treatments, wraps and grooming essentials.

The new Summit Lounge at the top of Table Mountain has recently opened, and just in time to welcome the warm summer months.

And can you think of a better way to enjoy a summer sunset other than at the top of such a fantastic place, with a cocktail in your hand ? Especially if the price to get you up to the top of the mountain is half price ?

The Table Mountain Cableway are running a Sunset Special, starting on Monday November 1. Visitors pay just R90 per person return every day after 6pm. Children under 18 years pay R45 per person return after 6pm only.

The offer runs until the end of February 2011.

The Cableway operates weather permitting. For information call (021) 424 8181 or visit http://tablemountain.net/

For anyone travelling to Cape Town between 23rd and 27th August, unfortunately the Table Mountain Cableway will be closed for annual maintenance over these dates.

You can still climb up the mountain though if you are feeling energetic !!

For families going to Cape Town between 1st May and the end of October, they can enjoy a special Family Rate if they want to go up Table Mountain.

The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway are offering a Family Winter Special ticket price for only R160 per adult return, which includes 2 children under 18 years travelling for free The special is valid to begin with only over weekends and public holidays and then every day of the following school holidays – June 10 to July 12 and September 24 to October 3.

A special kiddies holiday programme will also be running during the school holidays, including a Winter Treasure Trail, spot prizes, magic shows, face painting and craft activities. Children will be entertained and taken on guided walks by the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway characters – Ernie the Explorer, Dale the Dassie and the Yeti. Additional activities include story-telling of the Myths and Legends of Table Mountain.

The Table Mountain Café is joining in on the fun too, and will be offering a kiddies menu for just R30 per child, which includes a free cup of hot chocolate or fruit juice.

Children can also win a Table Mountain Aerial Cableway beanie and scarf every month. Entry forms are available on the back of the Winter Treasure Trail map, available from the ticket office.

The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company is offering a winter special to all families – two children under 18 years get a free return trip if accompanied by a full paying adult.

The Cableway’s Family Winter Special is valid weekends and public holidays from May 1 to September 15, and every day of the winter school holiday (June 26 to July 19).

Once at the top, children can enjoy a fun treasure hunt as well as win various spot prizes.

The Cableway’s ticket price is R145 return for an adult and is valid on return fares only.

The Table Mountain Cableway, part of the Table Mountain National Park in Cape Town, will extend its annual maintenance period this year.

The cableway will be closed from July 20 to August 16.

The lengthier maintenance work is to ensure that the cableway can remain open during the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup.

Weather permitting, the cableway will reopen on Monday August 17.

The Table Mountain Cableway in Cape Town will be closed for its Annual Maintenance from 14 July 2008 until the 03 August 2008. 

Visitors wanting to get to the top of the mountain at this time will have to do one of the popular hikes, many of which can be done without a guide.  Not surprisingly, it is a long slog to the top, and you should allow yourself plenty of time to get up and back down again – anything up to 6 hours if you also want to spend some time at the top.

The Cable Car will be running again from 04 th August.

The Cableway Restaurant on top of Table Mountain in Cape Town will be closed for refurbishments for three months from 14 April 2008.

During the closure, visitors can obtain refreshments from the Bistro at the Upper Cable Station.