Cape Town - Sal Expedition unknown expanses of the Atlantic: world history exposed

At the foot of the imposing Table Mountain lies Cape Town, a lively metropolis and one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The charming blend of Victorian villas on Long Street and modern skyscrapers in the financial district are what give the city its unique character. The popular Victoria & Alfred Waterfront with its boutiques, cafes and excellent restaurants will make visitors’ hearts soar. A cable-car ride to the plateau of Table Mountain promises to be an exciting experience and offers a magnificent view over the city and peninsula. This stretches as far as the Cape of Good Hope, where idyllic beach resorts meet unspoilt nature, making Cape Town an even more unforgettable destination.

Get right up close to German history on a visit to the former colony of German South West Africa in what it is now Namibia. At the edge of the Namib desert, you will discover the traces left by the German imperial era in Luderitz, a colourful town with beautifully preserved art nouveau buildings. The German names on many of the streets and shops provide a hint of the past at first glance. The town was named after a businessman from Bremen, Adolf Lüderitz, who suspected that there were great mineral resources to be found in the region. And he was right: there were diamonds, which provided the riches for the nearby abandoned town of Kolmanskop, where magnificent stone houses were built in the German style. Find your own jewels on a stroll around Luderitz – perhaps in the form of the Church on the Rock, built in 1911.

Sea, desert and culture combined: Walvis Bay deserves its nickname, the “pearl of Namibia”, and is a fascinating stop on your route along the African coast. The original settlement of the Indigenous population was used as a territory by numerous colonial powers until it was handed back to Namibia in 1994. Life here today is governed mainly by the seabirds in the lagoon: countless pelicans and flamingoes flock to the calm waters and are a sight to behold. With luck, you might also see some dolphins and seals. The proximity to the Namib desert with its majestic dunes provides a unique backdrop. A true highlight for nature lovers and those with a thirst for adventure.

St Helena, with its fascinating mix of unspoilt nature and historical relics, is famous for being Napoleon’s place of exile – he spent his last years on the island at Longwood House. Prepare to be surprised by the beautiful scenery, with deep-green vegetation, tropical red and yellow-bellied birds and the breathtaking cliffs of Sandy Bay. When out hiking you will see how the climate and vegetation zones can change radically within just a few kilometres. The path of knowledge will take you and your experts in the footsteps of Bonaparte, who was exiled here in 1815. There was no question of escaping back then and you won’t have any thoughts of escape now either, since the island has so much to offer in terms of history and natural beauty.

A sea full of contrasts awaits you on Cape Verde. This is best represented on Santiago, the largest island in the archipelago: green valleys, impressive mountains and desert-like regions are special highlights, as well as colonial architecture and African zest for life. Santiago is the cultural and historical hub of the group of islands, and its modern capital Praia offers a mix of traditional culture and colonial heritage. Music is everywhere here – especially the Batuque and Funana rhythms, which are deeply rooted in the culture of the island. Celebrations and dances reveal the locals’ zest for life and warmth. The city of Cidade Velha was the first European colonial settlement in the tropics and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This combination of natural diversity, cultural significance and districts with urban flair ensures a real wealth of contrasts.