The sound of waves whispered through the cool air-conditioned office, a faint echo of home, like the thread tethering me to Cape Verde. Behind my polished oak desk, glossy brochures promised luxury—Maldives, Santorini, Dubai. Yet, my eyes always wandered to the photograph of Sal’s golden shores, kissed by the Atlantic.
As founder of WanderLux Travel, I crafted opulent escapes—Michelin-star dining, private jets, infinity pools. But my heart belonged to something deeper. Every time I described sandy beaches, I thought of barefoot childhood days on Praia de Santa Maria, my grandmother singing Cesária Évora melodies. Her music taught me that true luxury isn’t just wealth—it’s belonging.
This belief inspired “Return to Roots,” a bespoke package for travelers seeking more than indulgence. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie warns of “the danger of a single story,” and I wanted Cape Verde to be more than a beach paradise. It had stories beyond its shorelines, a pulse beneath its postcard views.
One of my first clients, Eleanor, a London lawyer, sought an escape from 2 a.m. emails. When I suggested Cape Verde, she hesitated. I spoke of its Creole culture, morna music, and cachupa shared under starlit skies. She trusted me.
Weeks later, Eleanor’s email overflowed with gratitude. She had danced with fishermen, learned to cook with a local family, and fallen asleep to the rhythm of the sea. “This wasn’t just a holiday; it was a return to humanity,” she wrote. Her transformation echoed Anthony Bourdain’s words: “Travel isn’t always pretty… but it changes you.”
For me, this was more than selling trips. True luxury isn’t golden cutlery and exclusivity—it’s the richness of knowing where you come from and letting it nourish your soul. Clients didn’t just return raving about beaches; they spoke of feeling seen, connected, as if they had found a piece of themselves.
Living in London sharpened my understanding of this contrast. Here, luxury meant exclusivity. In Cape Verde, it meant community, shared meals, stories passed through generations, music lingering like an old friend. Distance made me realize I wasn’t just offering travel—I was bridging worlds.
Cape Verde is more than nostalgia; it’s my mission. Too often, it’s reduced to a sun-soaked retreat. But it’s more. It’s where my roots dig deep, where traditions hum beneath modernity. When I sell Cape Verde, I don’t just sell a destination; I offer a story, my story, interwoven with theirs.
WanderLux Travel reflects my inspirations. Adichie’s caution against a single story drives my narratives. Bourdain’s philosophy shapes my approach to transformative experiences. Even my brand aesthetic—deep blue logos, flowing handwritten script—nods to Cape Verde. The blue mirrors the ocean, the script a tribute to my grandmother’s letters sent across the seas.
Cape Verde is my guiding lighthouse. Every luxury package I sell—whether a Bali retreat or a Kenyan safari—always circles back to my roots, to the home that shaped my sense of wonder and belonging.
Luxury isn’t just about where you go; it’s about what you take with you and, more importantly, what you bring back. No matter how far I travel, my journey always leads back to those sun-drenched shores and the endless blue beyond.
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Authors Note:
- Excitement about my passion: I express my passion for offering transformative travel experiences, grounded in authenticity and cultural connection, rather than traditional luxury. This passion is rooted in my Cape Verdean heritage, which continuously informs my work at WanderLux Travel.
- Key writers and voices: I draw inspiration from Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Anthony Bourdain, whose work influences my approach to travel narratives. Adichie’s idea of the “single story” and Bourdain’s transformative view of travel shape my philosophy on the importance of cultural depth in luxury travel.
- Cultural and artistic figures: My grandmother and Cape Verdean culture, including Cesária Évora’s music, are key influences that shape the narrative and values behind my business.
- Exploring my identity as an author: I reflect on my identity as a Cape Verdean and how it informs my business approach, emphasizing the importance of community and belonging in the concept of luxury.
- Range of source material: I incorporate a range of influences, including literature, music, and personal cultural experiences, to deepen the richness of the narrative.
- London and home: I highlight how living in London has refined my understanding of luxury and how my roots in Cape Verde continue to influence my professional journey.
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