ALWAYS PACK SOME PALS
And if they don’t fit in your suitcase, then indie artist Nic Preen has the perfect Plan B
HOW OFTEN DO YOU TRAVEL?
I travel regularly, wherever and as often as I can. It’s mostly for work but it often doesn’t feel like it — it’s one of the biggest reasons I chose to make a career out of music.
YOUR EARLIEST MEMORY OF TRAVELLING ABROAD?
In 2003 (I was 10) my parents took my siblings and me to the US. We went to Disneyland to meet Mickey Mouse. We actually ended up meeting 10 different Mickey Mouses and rode on a Star Warsthemed spaceship that took us through a battle beyond the stars. I remember coming home and telling my classmates I’d gone to America and space.
WHAT DO YOU NEED FOR A PERFECT HOLIDAY?
Good food, warm oceans and green mountains. I do also enjoy packing a few friends and family, but if they don’t fit, a good book is a great substitute.
FAVOURITE HOLIDAY DESTINATION?
I’ve sailed around the Greek islands a few times and it never gets old. The landscapes look like your parents’ old screen savers and the cities are rich with history. And don’t get me started on the lack of modern architecture. It’s a very romantic holiday and I feel like the people make both their food and their children with a lot of love.
BEST HOLIDAY EVER?
I was invited to the Primavera Pro music festival in Barcelona last year, and saw many of my favourites: Arcade Fire, Van Morrison, Kevin Morby, Bon Iver … it was surreal.
MOST RELAXING DESTINATION?
Langebaan. My parents live there and there’s nothing quite like lying on Mom and Dad’s couch, drinking their favourite beverages from the fridge/cabinet.
FAVOURITE RESTAURANT?
Wolfgat in Paternoster, My favourite chef, Ryan Andersen, often works alongside the Chef Kobus van der Merwe there. They forage their cuisine from the coastline and the set menu is as much a superb dining experience as it is a lesson in oceanic foods.
FAVOURITE CITY?
Tough question since there are so many. I’m going to stick with Berlin. I was there for only three days but it seemed to have every possible thing you could ask from a city. Beautiful buildings, vegetation, people and live music.
MOST ADVENTUROUS TRAVEL EXPERIENCE?
The first time I travelled abroad on my own was probably my most adventurous. I went to London. I ended up looking for surf in Cornwall and boarding train after train to end up on a pretty miserable, cold and wet beach with no waves.
I did end up making some friends at a hostel though, who introduced me to a lot of new music. As much fun as it is travelling with friends, I think it’s important to travel alone at times. You’ll be surprised at how much you grow as a person.
FAVOURITE HOTEL?
Hotel Grande Bretagne in Athens. It’s much too expensive for me to stay in but I’ve read a lot about it and once visited the lobby, where I enjoyed a lovely ice water that was about the price of a flight home.
It looks on to a beautiful square full of tourists and birds and a fountain that I was told to stop wetting my hair in. It’s a very distant dream to one day stay there but I know I will. I’ll get two ice waters!
BEST PIECE OF TRAVEL ADVICE?
Rather go than say no. I also like to carry tissues. You’ll be surprised how often you need to use them for something.
Another great tip is when you feel like having a sleep on any form of public transport, always wrap your bag around your leg.
WHAT’S YOUR ONE TRAVEL ESSENTIAL?
A change of underwear, shirt and socks.
WHERE NEXT?
I just got back from recording my debut solo album in Mozambique. I will be doing a national tour followed by a European tour, specifically London.
Preen performs at the Backsberg Wine Estate in Paarl today at 4pm. Booking via Webtickets.