At Red Carnation Hotels, we are passionate about the extraordinary culture, heritage and experiences that make every destination unique. In Cape Town, inspiration is found not only in its dramatic landscapes and vibrant neighbourhoods, but in the powerful stories of the people who have shaped the city’s past and present. This International Women’s Day, we celebrate her journey. Not only how far women have come, but how travel continues to open doors, build confidence and create moments of belonging along the way. Throughout history, women’s journeys have not always been simple. Travel once required permission, accompaniment and explanation. Yet women continued to move forward, exploring the world around them with resilience, courage and curiosity. Every step widened what was possible for those who followed. Today, travel continues to hold meaning in many different ways. Women travel to discover, to reconnect, to learn from new cultures and sometimes simply to pause and breathe. Inspired by this spirit, we have created a Women’s Trail of Cape Town. A thoughtfully curated journey through the city celebrating nature, heritage, creativity and the remarkable women whose stories continue to shape the Cape. The Women’s Trail Itinerary Begin the Day: Fynbos Trails at the Twelve Apostles Celebrating women’s connection with nature Begin the trail at the Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa, where mountains meet the Atlantic Ocean along one of the most spectacular stretches of coastline in South Africa. Behind the hotel lies a network of fynbos hiking trails within Table Mountain National Park. These paths wind through one of the richest floral kingdoms on earth, revealing the extraordinary biodiversity of the Cape. Walking here offers a powerful reminder of how travel can reconnect us with the natural world. For many women, journeys like this represent freedom, reflection and the opportunity to experience new perspectives. Distance to next stop: 12 kmTravel time by car: 20 minutes Discovering the Cape: Jeep Adventures with Lizanne Celebrating women guiding the way Continue the journey with Lizanne, one of Cape Town’s inspiring female guides and the founder of Jeep Tours Cape Town. Her custom jeep adventures introduce visitors to breathtaking viewpoints and lesser known corners of the city. Along the way, Lizanne shares stories about the landscapes, communities and cultures that shape the Cape. Exploring the city through the knowledge of a local female guide offers a powerful reminder that travel is often made richer by the people who share their stories. Distance to next stop: 4 kmTravel time by car: 10 minutes Courage and Community: Bo-Kaap Celebrating the women of Cape Malay culture The trail continues in the vibrant neighbourhood of Bo-Kaap, one of Cape Town’s most historic communities. Founded by freed slaves in the eighteenth century, Bo-Kaap remains the cultural heart of Cape Malay heritage. Many traditions that define the neighbourhood today have been preserved and passed down through generations of women, particularly through food, storytelling and family life. A guided walking tour through the colourful streets reveals the deep history of the area while highlighting the resilience of the community that continues to thrive here. Distance to next stop: 500 metresWalking time: 5 minutes Sharing Traditions: A Cape Malay Cooking Experience Celebrating culinary heritage Following the walking tour, visitors are welcomed into a local home for a Cape Malay cooking experience hosted by a local woman. Here, traditional dishes are prepared together, from fragrant curries to handmade rotis. Cooking becomes more than a meal. It becomes a cultural exchange where stories, traditions and family recipes are shared. For many women throughout history, food has been a powerful way to preserve culture and bring communities together. Distance to next stop: 1.2 kmWalking time: 15 minutes Voices of Resilience: Iziko Slave Lodge Honouring the women who shaped Cape history Continue the trail to the Iziko Slave Lodge, one of Cape Town’s most important historical sites. Built in the seventeenth century, the lodge once housed enslaved people brought to the Cape by the Dutch East India Company. Among the many stories preserved here are those of enslaved women whose strength and resilience helped shape the cultural identity of the region. The museum now honours these lives through powerful exhibitions that recognise the courage and endurance of those who lived here. Distance to next stop: 300 metresWalking time: 4 minutes A Creative Pause: Company’s Garden Celebrating women in art and literature Just a short walk away lies Company’s Garden, one of Cape Town’s most historic public spaces. For centuries this garden has been a meeting place for artists, writers and activists. Nearby stands the South African National Gallery, where visitors can discover works by pioneering female artists who have helped shape the country’s creative identity. Surrounded by historic buildings and mountain views, the garden provides a peaceful moment of reflection within the trail. Distance to next stop: 2 kmTravel time by car: 8 minutes A Powerful Legacy: District Six Museum Honouring resilience during apartheid Continue to the District Six Museum, which tells the story of a once vibrant community that was forcibly removed during the apartheid era. Among the many voices remembered here are those of women who fought to preserve their families, culture and identity during this period of displacement. Their stories offer a powerful reminder of resilience and the strength of communities in the face of injustice. Distance to next stop: 3 kmTravel time by car: 10 minutes Reflection and Freedom: Robben Island Honouring women in the struggle for equality From the V&A Waterfront, visitors may take the ferry to Robben Island, one of South Africa’s most significant historical landmarks. While the island is widely known for the imprisonment of Nelson Mandela, the struggle for freedom was shaped by many courageous women. Activists such as Albertina Sisulu, Lillian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela played vital roles in the anti-apartheid movement. A visit to Robben Island offers an opportunity to reflect on the wider movement for equality and the women who helped lead it. Ferry travel time: approximately 30 minutes each way Distance to next stop: 12 kmTravel time by car: 25 minutes Sunset: The Leopard Bar at The Twelve Apostles A moment to pause and reflect As the afternoon softens into evening, return to The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa and take a seat at The Leopard Bar, one of Cape Town’s most spectacular sunset spots. Here the mountains drop dramatically into the Atlantic Ocean, and the horizon glows gold as the sun dips beneath the sea. Signature cocktails crafted by the hotel’s mixologists accompany the view, alongside an impressive selection of South African wines, craft beers and rare whiskies. The atmosphere is relaxed yet vibrant, with laid back live music setting the tone each evening. Between July and December, the ocean beyond the terrace becomes a stage for another natural spectacle as southern right whales pass along the coastline, often visible directly from the bar. Watching the light fade across the Atlantic offers a powerful moment to reflect on the journey through Cape Town’s landscapes, cultures and stories. Distance to next stop: within the hotel. Evening: Dining at the Twelve Apostles A celebration of Cape flavours Conclude the trail at The Azure Restaurant, the award winning dining destination at The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa, voted South Africa’s Best Hotel Restaurant at the 2020 World Culinary Awards. With sweeping views across the ocean and Table Mountain National Park, Azure offers a refined yet welcoming setting to end the day’s journey. Executive Chef Christo Pretorius brings together international inspiration and the rich culinary traditions of the Cape. The menu celebrates local produce and sustainably sourced seafood, showcasing regional delicacies such as oysters, crayfish, langoustines, mussels and squid. In an elegant dining room of plush leather seating and crisp white tablecloths, guests experience a menu that reflects the abundance of the Cape’s waters and vineyards. Each dish tells a story of the region’s landscapes and ingredients, bringing the journey through Cape Town full circle. As the evening unfolds and the sound of the ocean drifts through the windows, dinner at Azure becomes the perfect finale to a day of discovery. A Journey to Remember Through this journey across Cape Town, travellers discover a city shaped by remarkable women, powerful landscapes and resilient communities. The Women’s Trail of Cape Town reflects the spirit of Celebrate Her Journey, an ethos at Red Carnation Hotels that recognises the many ways women experience travel and the meaningful stories that shape every destination. For guests staying at The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa, the trail offers a thoughtful way to explore Cape Town through moments of nature, history and cultural discovery. And as the sun sets over the Atlantic and the day draws to a close, the hope is that each traveller leaves inspired by the journeys they have encountered and the many paths still waiting to be explored. At Red Carnation Hotels, celebrating women and their journeys is woven deeply into the fabric of the company. Founder Beatrice Tollman believed that hospitality should always be an expression of generosity, warmth and care. Her vision shaped a family business that continues to place people, connection and thoughtful service at its heart. Today that legacy continues through the Tollman family, with Vicki Tollman working alongside her niece Ella Tollman to guide the future of Red Carnation Hotels across destinations including Cape Town. In many ways, the Women’s Trail of Cape Town reflects this same spirit. It is a journey through stories of courage, discovery and independence, and a reminder that every journey taken has the power to inspire another. Celebrate Her Journey The Women’s Trail was created as part of our Celebrate Her Journey philosophy at Red Carnation Hotels. It reflects our belief that travel can be empowering, inspiring and deeply personal. By highlighting the stories of remarkable women alongside the places that define each destination, these trails invite travellers to explore with curiosity and perspective, discovering not only the history and culture of the city or island, but also the journeys that continue to shape it.
