VIEW THE MAP >> Starting Point | Tips for Walkers | Advice on Street Kids | Feedback ost visitors join the daily scheduled tours. Private personalised tours are popular with guests who have special interests in the city, prefer smaller groups or who require the tour in a foreign (not English) language. Inbound operators and school groups are invited to contact us for group rates. Daily scheduled guided tours depart from the Visitor Information Centre. This is the most popular way of doing the walk. Private personalise tours are designed for smaller groups who may wish to walk at their own pace, adapt the emphasis of the route to suit their interests or who prefer the tour to be conducted in other languages such as German, French, Dutch or Italian. Special tours for school groups have become increasingly popular. These bring the history of Cape Town and indeed South Africa, to life. Details for inbound groups available on request info@footstepstofreedom.co.za. HOW TO GET TO THE STARTING POINT The Footsteps to Freedom walking tour starts and ends at the centrally located Burg St. Visitor Information Centre, a five-minute walk from the railway station and International Convention Centre (ICC). (You simply have to visit either the Burg St. or Waterfront Visitor Information Centres – they are superb facilities run by super-friendly, efficient staff!) Starting point - Visitor Information Centre Cnr Castle and Burg Strs, Cape Town 8001 Local Tel: 021 426 4260 Local Fax: 021 426 4266 Email: info@cape-town.org Website: www.cape-town.org Cape Town International Convention Centre (ICC) and Foreshore Hotels A short walk away from the ICC – the Footsteps to Freedom guided tour is the ideal way for conference-goers to find their feet in term of the history, geography and culture of Cape Town. Walk up Long Street, turn left into Hans Strijdom Ave, walk through Thibault Square, up St George's Mall, turn right into Strand Street and left into Burg Street (it really is easier than it sounds). From the railway station Walk up Strand Street towards Signal Hill and past the Cape Town Holiday Inn. The Visitor Information Centre is in The Pinnacle Building on the corner of Burg and Castle Streets. From the Waterfront Waterfront shuttle busses provide a regular service to the railway station. They depart from Dock Rd, near Ferrymans. Cape Town Explorer Hop off at the Visitor Information Centre in Burg St and hop back on after your tour. Private cabs These are metered taxis, which operate from designated taxi ranks. Municipal buses Golden Arrow provides a regular bus service from Sea Point and Camps Bay. Tickets are bought on the bus, ask the driver for the bus stop closest to the Visitor Information Centre in Burg Street. Local taxis These tearaway minibus taxis are cheap and frequent and can be hailed from anywhere on the street. << back to top TIPS FOR WALKERS Wear comfortable walking shoes. If you do not have a comfy pair of walkers – Lemkus Sports in lower St George's Mall is a good place for sport shoes or hiking boots. Footsteps to Freedom guided walks depart daily – irrespective of weather conditions. Summer days can be hot – wearing a hat is a good idea, and do not forget your bottle of water and sun protection cream. Pick 'n Pay Family Supermarket is conveniently located across the road from the Visitor Information Centre. Cape Town has a Mediterranean climate and winter days can be cool and wet. Along the Trail a number of Trail Partners offer warm and cosy coffee stops, and the many galleries in Church St are an ideal place to browse for local art, under cover. Safety in Cape Town has improved greatly thanks to the efforts of the Central City Improvement District. However, as in any big city, care should be taken, so rather walk in groups, do not wear expensive jewellery in the city, and be vigilant at cash machines. << back to top ADVICE ON STREET KIDS You could come across children begging in the streets. By and large these kids can all be at school – but choose to leave school for the streets since begging from tourists can be lucrative. Giving money directly to street children creates a cycle of dependence and condemns them to a life on the streets. Money is often used to purchase glue (for sniffing), drugs and alcohol. If you feel inclined to give them money, rather support one of the many charities working with homeless children. Footsteps to Freedom supports Street Universe and Ons Plek. Street Universe Tel: 021 422 5258 E-mail: friends@streetuniverse.org.za Website: www.streetuniverse.org.za Street Universe is developing long-term solutions for street kids. Donations can be made at Le Petit Paris in Greenmarket Square or at the Visitor Information Centre. Ons Plek Tel: 021 448 6529 E-mail: onsplek@new.co.za Ons Plek (Our Place) is a home for female street children, donations for Ons Plek can be made at the District Six Museum bookstore. Ask at the bookstore counter for the yellow Ons Plek donation tin. << back to top FEEDBACK We constantly evaluate the Footsteps to Freedom walking tour so that we can improve our guests’ experience. Please contact us with your feedback, tell us what you enjoyed about the tour and where we can improve. << back to top