As South Africa prepares to host the 2010 Soccer World Cup, the country and its major cities are  also becoming more popular with travelers. Cape Town is a sprawling metropolis, spread out over 948 square miles, that is perhaps most closely linked to apartheid and its aftermath. Nearby is Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela and many others were held prisoner for fighting against the racist practices of the previous government. And it was in Cape Town that Mandela, after being released from Robben Island, made his famous speech on the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront that would mark the end of apartheid and signify the beginning of change for this city.

While South Africa has made great strides in the post-apartheid era, a word of caution is necessary. Cape Town has a high crime rate, in large part due to an unemployment rate hovering around 40%. While this should not deter travelers from visiting this amazing destination, precautions should be taken to ensure a safe stay.

Additional reporting by Michael Tulipan