Life By Asha Singh

As the summer season makes its grand entrance, people across the board are rekindling their health and fitness routines . Whether the goal is to shed those extra winter layers in time for summer or to hit the reset button on their overall well-being, it's evident that gyms are filling up once again.

With so much to offer local travellers, more and more South Africans are exploring our country’s very own hidden gems, resorts or off-the-beaten-track spots, creating lasting memories with friends and family along the way. We've hand-picked our top out-of-the-ordinary local spots that might delight you and your family.

The Walt Disney Company Africa and LIFT unveiled a co-branded celebratory aircraft livery to kick-off Disney’s biggest festive campaign to date in South Africa, “May Your Wishes Come True”. The livery features some of the most iconic and memorable characters from Disney, MARVEL and  Star Wars TM , including: Disney’s Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Moana, Black Panther, Grogu TM , Elsa, Spidey. A brand new character also makes an appearance, Asha, from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ upcoming “Wish", which releases in cinemas nationwide from 22 November. The Disney inspired plane (tail number ZS-GAS) will appear in South African skies and at airports from 20 October and service routes between Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban.   On board, customers can expect special Disney and LIFT surprises, as well as kiddies activity packs to make flying with little ones a breeze during the busy holiday season, with giveaways and more treats. The excitement won't stop there, because LIFT has addi...

From what to pack and how to squeeze it all in, to the benefits of roll-over folding and the 1-6 rule, Qatar Airways’ share packing secrets.   Serving more than 160 destinations around the world from its Doha hub, Hamad International Airport, Qatar Airways crew get to go lots of places, often. Here are some of their tips on practical packing.

Samara Karoo Reserve, near Graaff-Reinet in the Eastern Cape’s Great Karoo region and home to the Big Five, over  60 mammal species and 225 bird species, was recognised in the Top 15 Resorts in South Africa.

L eading hospitality group Africa Albida Tourism (AAT) walked away with five awards at the 28th edition of the Association of Zimbabwe Travel Agents (AZTA) awards, including Best Resort Hotel for its flagship property Victoria Falls Safari Lodge for the 25 th   year. The prestigious event took place on September 30 at the renowned Meikles Hotel, where Africa Albida Tourism received the awards for its exceptional contribution to the Zimbabwe travel industry.

On Monday 16 October, Zolani Mahola, "The One Who Sings", joined  LIFT  to treat travellers to a surprise Silent Disco performance in the sky. 

Have you even had a South African December holiday if you didn’t spend it at the coast? With the countdown to the holiday season feeling within reach, consider Sun International’s breathtakingly beautiful four-star rated Wild Coast Sun as the ultimate family destination.

A cclaimed experiential department store We Are EGG The Zone @ Rosebank in Johannesburg marked its first anniversary this past weekend with a vibrant celebration, attended by a long list of celebrities, fashion designers, influencers and key media.

The anticipation is building as the countdown begins for the much-awaited return of the   Silver   Spirit to the shores of Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands. Following our initial announcement, we are thrilled to share more details about this extraordinary cruise experience that awaits traveler's  from December 2023 through February 2024.

Visiting the Western Cape in spring is an unparalleled experience. As the province sheds its winter cloak, it comes to life with a burst of vibrant wildflowers, breathtaking scenery, and a mild and inviting climate. Spring always brings a burst of colour to the landscapes opening the opportunity to experience mother nature work her magic.   Less than an hour’s drive from the Mother City nestled in the Cape Winelands, Franschhoek is one of the premier wine-producing regions in the country known for its picturesque vineyards, wineries surrounded by stunning landscapes. With its surrounding breath-taking mountain ranges Franschhoek is an outdoor enthusiast’s playground, welcome the  spring wildflowers   with a short hike, work your way through dozens of winding trails - leading to views that will leave you in awe.   If sampling the finer things in life is more your style, then  one of the more than 45 wineries nestled in the valley,  should do the trick - rang...

Elevate your summer festivities with an exciting twist as we introduce the ultimate enhancement for  your Roku Japanese Gin cocktail. Bring your cocktails to life with these six exquisite garnishes that  will redefine your journey as a cocktail enthusiast. Roku Japanese Gin, with its harmonious blend of  botanicals, offers a canvas for creativity that deserves to be explored this summer.

De Hoop Nature Reserve, a World Heritage site and Marine Protected area in the Overberg region is  world renowned as one the best spots for land-based whale watching in South Africa. Every year,  between June and November some 40% of the world’s southern right whales come to these shores  to breed. According to marine conservation photographer, Jean Tresfon, Koppie Alleen in the De Hoop Nature  Reserve had the highest concentration of whales. He recently undertook the first official aerial  survey of southern right whale numbers for 2023 with Dr Els Vermeulen of the UP Mammal  Research Institute Whale Unit. “The first whale we spotted, in Hermanus just under the cliffs near the Old Harbour, was upside down  with a tiny calf on her chest. As we went on, we started to see more and more southern right whales,  with 346 whales (of which 172 were calves) counted between Struisbaai and Skipskop Point. But, as  expected we found the main concentrati...

Multi-award-winning airline, Qatar Airways, has triumphed in four categories at this year’s Business Traveller Awards at the Royal Garden Hotel in London. The national carrier of the State of Qatar continues to be recognised for its excellence on a global scale, being awarded Best Long-Haul Airline, Best Business Class, Best Middle Eastern Airline, and Best Inflight Food & Beverage by Business Traveller. The airline’s hub, Hamad International Airport (DOH) in Doha, Qatar, has also been named Best Airport in the Middle East, and the Second-Best Airport in the World.

Nestled within the breathtaking Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve, the Thaba Eco Hotel has always been an icon of excellence in the world of hospitality. But hold onto your hats, because they've just unveiled a transformation that's set to redefine luxury and sophistication in the industry! A Seamless Blend of Heritage and Modern Luxury For nearly two decades, Thaba Eco Hotel has been synonymous with hospitality excellence. Today, they're taking their commitment to the next level by introducing their newly refurbished Superior King Suites. These suites are the result of months of meticulous planning, design, and craftsmanship, all aimed at providing guests with an elevated and unforgettable experience. Picture this: The Superior King Suites have been carefully reimagined to seamlessly blend the allure of Thaba's heritage with contemporary opulence. Every detail, from custom-built furnishings to harmonious color palettes, has been chosen to evoke a sense of timeless eleganc...

If you’re an avid explorer, you’re likely familiar with terms like ‘coastineering’, ‘below the surface’, ‘canyoning’ or ‘kloofing’. If you aren't, these are some of the activities the City of Cape Town has to offer for the adventurous at heart. City dwellers from across the globe, visit the Southernmost tip of Africa to embark on new and daring activities that provide the adventurous with thrills and memories to last a lifetime. From secret passages that require hard hats and boots to explore, to oceanside mountain coasting with safety ropes, Cape Town is an adventurer’s bucket-list paradise. The yellow frame route Bring your selfie sticks! You might have to trek, hike or ride a train to get to them but for each location Cape Town’s yellow frames are set in, the way there is certainly worth the trudge. Each of Cape Town’s iconic frames offer viewers a unique and undisturbed view of the iconic Table Mountain. The unmissable landmarks are set in locations such as Radisson Blu Hotel W...

In a momentous development that underscores the strengthening of cultural and economic ties between nations, the Brazilian Tourism Board (EMBRATUR) has warmly welcomed the announcement of new direct flights linking Brazil with the African nation. This groundbreaking initiative is set to offer non-stop flights from key African destinations to the vibrant landscapes of Brazil, opening a new chapter in the evolving relationship between these two continents.