The year 2020 has been a challenging year for us all. But life does go on and many people are starting to live life beyond the four walls of their homes.

I was recently invited to experience the #warmheart of beautiful Stellenbosch as part of the innovative #SupportStellenbosch campaign (more about that in a moment), and what I found truly warmed my heart and soul. People were out once again, enjoying themselves in restaurants, hotels and at wine estates.

International visitors may start trickling in soon, but the road to recovery is long and that is why locals need to support the hard-hit wine and hospitality industries that were dealt a severe blow during the nationwide lockdown.

With so many travel plans postponed or cancelled due to the global pandemic, virtual travel became a much-needed temporary replacement. But let’s face it – there is nothing quite like immersing yourself in another culture, meeting the local people, trying exotic cuisines and seeing the sights with your own eyes. I often find myself thinking back on past travel experiences and one destination regularly pops into my head – Reunion Island.