I recently ventured onto a long-haul flight following a

two-year break, and to be honest, after a few sleepless

nights. I haven’t yet worked out if it was excitement or

anxiety that kept me up ahead of the trip because I just

didn’t know what to expect. I realise now that while travel

has changed post-Covid, it remains as thrilling as always.

   The trip to New York and Boston was invaluable. There is nothing

like meeting people face to face; it creates an undefinable magic. The journey itself reminded me of everything I appreciate about travel. Quiet time for focused work, watching otherwise unwatchable movies on a plane, meeting fascinating strangers. And being reminded how much I miss my family – even if away for only a few days – then arriving at a destination that promises experiences for the photo album (or Instagram feed, for some of you). I loved being on the streets of a vibrant city, tasting new dishes (I tried out a new carb – freekeh), going for a run to get a feel for the place, and even being jostled by impatient New Yorkers getting onto the subway. Special.

YOU DESERVE IT

International travel has a way of reminding us how amazing our own country is. How interesting that the Times Square billboard, which featured SA music artist Sio recently as a Spotify EQUAL ambassador for Africa, also featured Wits University’s centenary celebrations. You’ll read in Vitality Traveller how artists like Jeremy Loops, Black Coffee and of course, Trevor Noah, have cemented their names overseas, but remain grounded to the tip of Africa. I love the Last Word (page 52) on how local destinations might just trump some experiences that exist internationally. There is certainly nothing you can find outside SA like a bunny chow from Durban (page 40). Our art scene and vineyards in the Cape (page 23) have international visitors seeking the Zeitz MOCAA and our cap classique just as we might seek the Louvre and cava (the Spanish sparkling wine that’s also not allowed to be marketed as Champagne).

   We’re also close enough to spectacular regional destinations, which give us the Zambezi or Victoria Falls, and the spectacular beaches of Mauritius four to five hours away (depending on where you fly from). Add on a few more hours of flight time and you could be in one of our most popular foreign destinations, like Dubai or the UK, but for me, the summer is going to be about keeping it local and proudly South African.

   Finally, this edition of the Vitality Traveller should inspire you to be healthier. It features wellness travel; our new sports obsession, Padel; and a workout you can take with you from our partner, JEFF Fitness. Done right, it should earn you 300 Vitality points.

   I hope you have exciting getaway plans for 2023, especially our members who know that Vitality Travel is more rewarding when you stay active, drive safely and spend responsibly.

I recently ventured onto a

long-haul flight following a

two-year break, and to be

honest, after a few sleepless

nights. I haven’t yet worked

out if it was excitement or

anxiety that kept me up ahead

of the trip because I just didn’t

know what to expect. I realise now that while travel

has changed post-Covid, it remains as thrilling as always.

   The trip to New York and Boston was invaluable. There is nothing like meeting people face to face; it creates an undefinable magic. The journey itself reminded me of everything I appreciate about travel. Quiet time for focused work, watching otherwise unwatchable movies on a plane, meeting fascinating strangers. And being reminded how much I miss my family – even if away for only a few days – then arriving at a destination that promises experiences for the photo album (or Instagram feed, for some of you). I loved being on the streets of a vibrant city, tasting new dishes (I tried out a new carb – freekeh), going for a run to get a feel for the place, and even being jostled by impatient New Yorkers getting onto the subway. Special.

YOU DESERVE IT

International travel has a way of reminding us how amazing our own country is. How interesting that the Times Square billboard, which featured SA music artist Sio recently as a Spotify EQUAL ambassador for Africa, also featured Wits University’s centenary celebrations. You’ll read in Vitality Traveller how artists like Jeremy Loops, Black Coffee and of course, Trevor Noah, have cemented their names overseas, but remain grounded to the tip of Africa. I love the Last Word (page 52) on how local destinations might just trump some experiences that exist internationally. There is certainly nothing you can find outside SA like a bunny chow from Durban (page 40). Our art scene and vineyards in the Cape (page 23) have international visitors seeking the Zeitz MOCAA and our cap classique just as we might seek the Louvre and cava (the Spanish sparkling wine that’s also not allowed to be marketed as Champagne).

   We’re also close enough to spectacular regional destinations, which give us the Zambezi or Victoria Falls, and the spectacular beaches of Mauritius four to five hours away (depending on where you fly from). Add on a few more hours of flight time and you could be in one of our most popular foreign destinations, like Dubai or the UK, but for me, the summer is going to be about keeping it local and proudly South African.

   Finally, this edition of the Vitality Traveller should inspire you to be healthier. It features wellness travel; our new sports obsession, Padel; and a workout you can take with you from our partner, JEFF Fitness. Done right, it should earn you 300 Vitality points.

   I hope you have exciting getaway plans for 2023, especially our members who know that Vitality Travel is more rewarding when you stay active, drive safely and spend responsibly.

Jabulile (“Jabu”) is a freelance creative who has worked in copywriting, editing, magazine publishing and digital strategic planning. Her versatility as a storyteller is showcased in articles for the likes of Nataal, Mail & Guardian, Maverick Life, House & Garden and Art.co.za. Jabu’s taste for exploration and novel experiences enables her to write incisively about everything from art and fashion to adventure travel, so she was a natural choice to send snorkelling with seals for this issue.

Cayleigh is a copywriter, author and a co-founder of Letterhead, the “one-stop words shop”. She’s also a Durban transplant to Cape Town, and this issue allowed her to discover – and revisit – some of the best flavours that her hometown’s restaurants have to offer. An alumna of the magazine industry and the world of retail copywriting, she’s retained a love for research and writing on diverse topics, with a special interest in the mundane and obscure. Expect to find her reading and writing fiction.

While editing his third edition of Vitality Traveller, Dylan realised that he was missing a trick. Because while he’s commissioned stories on Amsterdam, New York City and the Maldives, he hasn’t been anywhere more exciting than East London. So, for this issue he chatted to Dion Chang about the art of business travel, Lauren Ho about her life as a luxury adventurer and Thithi Nteta about her carry-on essentials. He’s now confident that he has the tools to finally leave his desk and go anywhere.

Jabulile (“Jabu”) is a freelance creative who has worked in copywriting, editing, magazine publishing and digital strategic planning. Her versatility as a storyteller is showcased in articles for the likes of Nataal, Mail & Guardian, Maverick Life, House & Garden and Art.co.za. Jabu’s taste for exploration and novel experiences enables her to write incisively about everything from art and fashion to adventure travel, so she was a natural choice to send snorkelling with seals for this issue.

Cayleigh is a copywriter, author and a co-founder of Letterhead, the “one-stop words shop”. She’s also a Durban transplant to Cape Town, and this issue allowed her to discover – and revisit – some of the best flavours that her hometown’s restaurants have to offer. An alumna of the magazine industry and the world of retail copywriting, she’s retained a love for research and writing on diverse topics, with a special interest in the mundane and obscure. Expect to find her reading and writing fiction.

While editing his third edition of Vitality Traveller, Dylan realised that he was missing a trick. Because while he’s commissioned stories on Amsterdam, New York City and the Maldives, he hasn’t been anywhere more exciting than East London. So, for this issue he chatted to Dion Chang about the art of business travel, Lauren Ho about her life as a luxury adventurer and Thithi Nteta about her carry-on essentials. He’s now confident that he has the tools to finally leave his desk and go anywhere.