Interview with Rocky Racco, TTI Travel CEO, and his wife Janine
What was the purpose of your trip?
We chose Cape Town as an exotic locale to experience together. It was a special trip to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. Our moda operandi has always been to enjoy cultural experiences and the location lent itself to this, with the extensive wine region being of particular interest.
Tell us about your itinerary.
The itinerary which we customised with our travel advisor included tours to Cape Peninsula, the winelands region and Cape Town itself.
The Peninsula provided a look into the serene and mythical meeting place of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.
Having visited the wine-making regions in Southern France and Italy, our palettes were expanded by visiting Stellbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl, all historical towns. The tastings were a welcome treat of refreshing nectar after an afternoon spent in the sun.
Our city tour provided a comprehensive orientation of the rich culture that exists amongst the people and the architecture.
Most memorable moment?
Several memorable moments come to mind as there were exceptionally well lead tours and ample time to explore on our own.
The beauty of South Africa is undeniable; from seeing seals, penguins and baboons all in their natural habitats to travelling along the coast and countryside to delicious wineries. It was a unique experience to spend time in a quaint town like Stellenbosch as it offered a feel for the local way of life.
A remarkable sight was Table Mountain with its tablecloth cover of clouds. We came across an African fabric store where we chose Shwe Shwe fabrics to create a personalized pair of pyjama pants for each of our daughters and ourselves.
With the country having as much history as it does, we visited “The Slave Lodge” which served as housing for the slaves of the Dutch East India Company and subsequently as the first post office, library and Supreme Court. The building itself is the second oldest in the country, dating back to 1679. Currently, it is a museum housing collections of ceramics, toys, silver, textiles and other artifacts. South Africa remains forever touched by Apartheid.
What surprised you most about the trip?
The sun personified all of the people we were lucky to meet; with its warmth, light and generosity, it was an ever present symbol. Cape Town is a trendy city that has a young and cosmopolitan vibe, different from other cities like Johannesburg.
