Editor’s Note IT’S Women’s Month and this issue of IOL Travel is aligned with the celebratory mood as we unpack solo travel with suggestions of the places that are safe to visit as well as tips on what you should be mindful of. Since Covid-19 struck, I’ve mostly done couple’s weekends away. That said, I’ve done my fair share of solo trips as well as girls’ trips. There is something so liberating about being out in the world, being adventurous and not having to worry about pleasing anyone but yourself. If you feel like dining at a specific spot, agreeing to an activity that gets the adrenaline going or simply want to be pampered with a spa treatment, you can do just that without having to cajole someone else or your entire family into agreeing to join. In this issue, we interview two women who share their travel experiences. One of them is now a mother with a toddler who hasn’t let having a family and a career to become a setback in her love for travel. Now it simply evolved into more of a family experience. And our other interview is with a marketing professional who, in wanting to venture into the tourism industry, started her own luxury bespoke tour company. The best part of it is that she learned how to do it all from researching on the internet instead of turning to people she knew in that sector for advice. Talk about impressive. Of course, if Julia Roberts has taught us anything, it is to have your Eat Pray Love experience your way. We hope that this edition inspires you to grab your passport and explore with unbridled passion and adventure in your heart. Happy reading!
Debashine
In this issue Going solo: The safest countries for the solo female traveller A fine vintage Culture vultures 5 safety tips for solo female travellers 10 destinations to visit if you are a solo traveller Cover image | Tobias Bjørkli/Pexels Page 2 | Michael Block/Pexels Page 3 | Nina Uhlíková/Pexels
CONTACT US PUBLISHER Vasantha Angamuthu vasantha@africannewsagency.com ACTING EXECUTIVE LIFESTYLE EDITOR/TRAVEL Debashine Thangevelo debashine.thangevelo@inl.co.za DESIGN Tanya Fynn tanya.fynn@inl.co.za
PRODUCTION Renata Ford renata.ford@inl.co.za BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Keshni Odayan keshni.odayan@iol.co.za SALES Charl Reineke charl.reineke@iol.co.za ENQUIRIES info@anapublishing.com
