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Travel by numbers: Cape Town

With the Fifa World Cup a year away and the Lions already in town, Santhie Goundar sizes up this South African star

Saturday 13 June 2009 00:00 BST
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8

The world ranking of South Africa's wine industry by volume of production. Wine-making began properly here in the 17th century when Governor van der Stel created Groot Constantia, an estate set at the foot of Table Mountain, the wines of which were highly acclaimed in the 18th century. These days Groot Constantia boasts a museum and also holds wine tours costing R25 (£1.90) per person. grootconstantia.co.za

13.2

The current exchange rate of South African rand to sterling, roughly in line with where the currencies stood before the credit crunch (£1 would buy you 13.4 rand back in January 2008). Travelex has a short-term deal, coinciding with the British Lions' tour of South Africa, charging 0 per cent commission on purchases of £300-worth of rand using their "Cash Passport" system. The deal is available from Heathrow, Gatwick and Glasgow airports from 18 June to 4 July. travelex.co.uk

2

The number of hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (one hour ahead of British Summer Time), that visitors will be when they arrive in Cape Town. For arrivals from the UK, it means that jet-lag won't be a problem. Trailfinders is offering four nights in a three-star hotel in Cape Town, including flights from London Heathrow via Doha on Qatar Airways, for £479, provided you book before 14 July. trailfinders.com

1883

The year that South Africa's Western Province rugby team was formed. They play home matches at Newlands Rugby Stadium, situated in the southern suburbs of Cape Town, and today take on the British & Irish Lions in the latest instalment of their South African tour. Kick-off is at 2pm. lionsrugby.com

27

The number of years Nelson Mandela spent in prison, 18 of them on Robben Island, which lies near Cape Town. Now a UN World Heritage Site, the island offers tours by ex-prisoners. Four daily ferries operate from the mainland. Tickets cost R180 (£13.60). robben-island.org.za

0

The number of times football's World Cup has been held on the African continent. That's all set to change in a year's time, when the Fifa World Cup begins on 11 June in Johannesburg. The second match of the tournament will be held later that day in the revamped Green Point Stadium in Cape Town. fifa.com

5,500

The price in rand (£417) for a night in a Marina Room at Cape Town's One & Only Resort, assuming you travel before 31 August. The latest venture from South African hotel magnate Sol Kerzner, this luxury property opened on 3 April and features 131 rooms and suites, along with new restaurants from Nobuyuki "Nobu" Matsuhisa and Gordon Ramsay. oneandonlyresorts.com

1,085

The height in metres of Table Mountain, which looms above Cape Town. There are over 500 hiking routes on the mountain itself, but a popular journey to the top is via the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway. The floor of each spherical cable car revolves so passengers can soak up the views; once you reach the top you can stroll around the summit itself. A return ticket costs R145 (£11). tablemountain.net

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