“POV: first time in Europe as a 30-something-year-old – it was amazing!”
If I were to make a TikTok video about my recent trip to Serre Chevalier in France, this would be the title. It would rack up tons of views because it’s exactly the kind of content I’d love to watch myself. But let’s park the vlogging idea for now.
A few weeks ago, I got the opportunity of a lifetime to visit France as part of a South African delegation with Flow’s newest client, Club Med.
Now, I’m not well-travelled, especially overseas. I’ve explored South Africa and Africa, yes, but Europe? That was a whole new world for me.
To say I was excited when this opportunity presented itself is an understatement – I was ecstatic. I started my countdown on 1 January 2025. What a cool way to ring in the new year, knowing I would be experiencing the French Alps just six weeks later! I could definitely get used to this lifestyle.
The visa application, facilitated by Club Med, was a breeze. In less than a week, I had my three-month Schengen visa in hand. With my flight tickets and insurance sorted, I knew without a doubt this trip was happening.
When 4 February arrived, I was as excited as a little girl going on her first train ride. I literally cannot explain the butterflies dancing in my stomach – the feeling was just so intense.
I worked a half-day to ensure a smooth handover to the team, since I would be away for seven days. I then drove all the way to Randburg from Centurion to rent my skiing gear and rushed home to somehow squeeze everything into one suitcase.
Side note: In 2023, I went to Las Vegas and lost all my luggage – my bag went on its own holiday and only returned to me a month later. This resulted in me wearing Mickey Mouse pyjama bottoms and a colleague’s top in public. Look, I made it fashionable, but the fear of losing my luggage again was real. This time, I plastered my bags with name tags. See below :)
I arrived at the airport super early, treated myself to a late lunch and then chilled in the lounge while waiting to board.
In true South African fashion, there was a power cut in the airport, but even that couldn’t dampen my spirits.
Club Med graciously arranged priority boarding for us. Now, this was the life! We took an overnight flight and landed in Paris at 6.10am the next morning.
This was my first solo trip, and I felt pretty chuffed with myself for managing it all – finding my gates, sailing through border security with no hassles, and making it to my connecting flight to Lyon on time.
The flight to Lyon was just an hour long. After landing around 8am, I finally met the rest of the South African delegation – a fascinating mix of journalists, editors, influencers, fashion designers and even Miss South Africa contestants.
After landing in Lyon, we made our way to our shuttle, for a scenic three-hour ride to the southern Alps. The drive was a treat, winding through quaint villages and tunnels, each view more breathtaking than the last. Day one in the French Alps was pure magic.
The weather at Club Med Serre Chevalier Resort was cooler than I expected, and we were greeted with welcome champagne and spectacular mountain views.
For dinner, we embraced the “mountain blue” theme, and I made sure my outfit hit all the right notes. The cherry on top? When top fashion designer Gert-Johan Coetzee from our delegation stopped me to compliment my look, describing it as “chic and fashionable”. I mean, pinch me.
Waking up in the Alps the next morning felt like an out-of-body experience. Snowflakes drifted outside my window, and the mountains blanketed in white took my breath away.
Growing up in rural South Africa, I had only seen scenes like this on TV, watching The Bold and the Beautiful with my family. Ridge and Taylor’s snowy cabin at Big Bear seemed so far removed from my reality. Yet here I was, living it.
Day two was all about skiing. I’d tried it once at AfriSki in Lesotho back in 2022, so I thought I knew what to expect. But skiing in the Alps was a whole new challenge.
The boots were heavier than I remembered, and balancing on skis while gliding downhill felt like trying to control chaos.
With patient instructors from Club Med Alpes guiding me, I learned to trust myself on those slopes. Sure, I fell a few times, but there’s something magical about finding your balance after falling, commanding your skis to stop when you need them to.
Dinner that night was a winter glitter-themed affair that felt like something out of a movie.
We feasted on cheese fondue, carpaccio, salmon and macaroons, and prosecco flowed freely as we laughed and bonded as the South African delegation.
It was during dinner that I discovered designer Gert-Johan Coetzee has a ready-to-wear collection available online; that Bryoni Govender, who was part of our delegation, was Miss SA’s first princess; and that Minki van der Westhuizen has her own jewellery range.
Even though language was a barrier in France, I loved being asked where I was from. I would happily say South Africa, and people understood that this was Mandela’s home country – and the greatest rugby nation in the world!
The highlight? Salsa dancing with a Belgian gentleman – in heels, nogal! Who knew this girl from Ngcobo could hold her own on a dance floor in Europe?
Day three might have been one of the best days of my life. We toured Briançon, a town steeped in history, with its narrow streets winding between 14th-century buildings.
The aroma of fresh coffee filled the air as we explored, and every corner seemed to whisper stories of the past. I was overwhelmed with gratitude – how did I get here? I was a girl whose grandfather’s love for books sparked her passion for words, leading her into journalism and digital media, that’s how.
Other trip highlights included swimming laps in the indoor heated pool at Club Med Serre Chevalier and enjoying a complimentary one-hour spa massage.
The Alps were a dream come true. It’s a memory that will live rent-free in my mind for as long as I live. I am grateful to Club Med for this opportunity and can’t wait for the Club Med Africa resort set to open in July 2026!
Sharp.