Cape escape: South Africa's Cape Town, while doubling for several countries in a handful of upcoming films, is an increasingly popular destination for adventure, luxe comfort and R&R.(travel)

Since apartheid ended in 1994, Cape Town, South Africa, has turned itself into an essential stop on the itinerary of adventurous jetsetters. Its setting is pure drama, with Table Mountain's sandstone flattop anchoring the city and cliffs rimming the Atlantic coastline lending it a tropical, craggy feel.

In the last 10 years, every aspect of this geographically anointed city has flourished--from the waterfront revival to a hip furniture and design scene to a Winelands region so jaw-droppingly beautiful that it alone is worth the 22 hours of flying time from L.A. With its ugly history behind it, Cape Town has become the darling of travelers who wanted Africa with sushi and lattes. The creature comforts of home are never far away.

"I lived in Camps Bay because of the gorgeous beach," explains Andrew Niccol, who directed Lions Gate's "Lord of War" about an arms dealer (Nicolas Cage) who hopscotches between Sierra Leone, Liberia, Lebanon, Somalia, Sudan, Indonesia, Germany, the Caribbean and the United States--all of which Cape Town and its environs stood in for.

Indeed, thanks to its malleable locations, clement weather and good value for money, film-friendly Cape Town, with a long track record in commercial production, is nirvana for location …