Johannesburg - Janez Vermeiren co-presents The Man Cave with Lunga Shabalala on SABC3. The second season of the testosterone-charged show starts later this month.
First holiday memory?
Sailing my late grandfather’s yacht along the Dalmatian Coast in Croatia.
Favourite place in SA?
It’s always Cape Town in summer. I’m born and raised there and grew up climbing mountains and going to the beach. I have travelled to more than 100 countries and I have yet to find a city as beautiful as this.
Best holiday?
Thailand. It was the first place I went to on my own after I matriculated. It was a boy’s trip with three of my best friends. We had the most incredible time. You get the perfect mix of culture, sun and beach. If you are looking for an idyllic holiday destination, it would be Thailand.
What have you learned from your travels?
Always make copies of your important documents and split your credit cards and cash. Don’t act like a tourist or you will be a target. Pack your bags as lightly as possible because you always end up buying more than you expected.
Ideal travelling companion?
My dad, purely because he has so much knowledge.
Beach bum, culture vulture or adrenalin junkie?
The adventure stuff I do for the show (Man Cave). I’m not an adrenalin junkie. I will do it to entertain but not for pleasure. I’m afraid of heights. When I go on holiday, I like to just kick back and enjoy the historical marvels. I always make sure I get to a museum or temple.
Greatest travel luxury?
Comfortable shoes – trainers. One thing I always do when I land in a new city is make sure I have my running shoes. It helps in that you don’t have to pay to go to a gym and you can orientate yourself to the city while running off the jetlag.
Holiday reading?
Red Notice: How I Became Putin’s No 1 Enemy by Bill Browder. For me, there needs to be a good biography or a great historical novel. The whole fantasy thing doesn’t work for me. There is another book that is special to me – Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts – when I was in India.
Where has seduced you?
Easter Island, off the coast of Chile… in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. It leaves a lasting impression on you.
Worst travel experience?
Having my wallet and passport stolen the day before leaving Cuba. It resulted in me having to sell my Ray-Ban sunglasses to pay the airport tax. After a three-day journey home, I was a broken man.
Best hotel?
Too many to recall but I’m generally a fan of boutique hotels. In Cusco (Peru) we stayed in an incredible monastery that had been converted into a hotel.
Favourite walk, swim, ride or drive?
Nothing beats an early morning ride along Chapman’s Peak.
Best meal abroad?
I’m a sucker for Thai cuisine. Overall, I enjoy the street food. I love Indian food when I go to the markets.
Favourite city?
Vancouver. It reminds me a lot of Cape Town as it’s very cosmopolitan. In the summer you can enjoy hikes on the mountains and in winter you can go skiing.
Where to next?
First is India. Next stop after that is Bali for a friend’s wedding. After that I have three other destinations in Europe.
Saturday Star