The Botanical Garden or 'Botanique' is steeped in history. From the Middle Ages this green oasis was the garden of the former 'commanderij van Pitzemburg', order of knights. After its abolition, in the nineteenth century the garden was turned into an English landscape garden for members of the elitist Société Royale d'Horticulture. After the First World War it opened to the public as a municipal park. In the middle of the Botanical Garden is a statue of the celebrated scientist Rembert Dodoens. In the sixteenth century he wrote a highly acclaimed herbal called the 'Cruydenboek'. These days the Botanical Garden is a quiet and very pleasant park where you can enjoy the plant life while the children let off steam in the playground.

Hop on the Antwerp Diamond double-decker bus and visit Antwerp’s best-known hotspots. It’s a first timers’ ideal introduction to the city. Daily departures from April until November, the other months only at the weekend.

Simon’s Town, or Simonstown as it has come to be called, has an interesting history and many famous buildings. There are many activities to keep you busy, such as boat charters, sea kayaking, deep sea fishing or whale watching. However, this quaint little town is most famous for being home to a colony of South African Penguins. Boulder’s Beach, a few kilometres south of town, is the one and only place in the world where you can swim with penguins!