EXCITING CITIES
JOHANNESBURG,
South Africa
WHY NOW? Gold was struck here in 1886, and now
South Africa’s biggest city is experiencing another boom
as it sheds legacies of apartheid division and urban decay.
Beyond the more prosperous areas like Rosebank, home
to the growing Keyes Art Mile, fringe districts such as
Maboneng are transforming themselves with new bars,
shops, cafés and gallery openings. Even the inner city is
ridding itself of its no-go reputation of the ’90s to become
a fitting heart for Johannesburg (aka Jo’burg or Jozi).
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT? Though it can’t match Cape
Town’s natural setting and architectural appeal, Jo’burg
has the edge when it comes to energy – not just as South
Africa’s business capital, but with its mix of incomers
from all over the country and beyond. Among the office
blocks and flyovers you’ll find plenty of Art Deco
buildings and heritage architecture, and the wildlife
parks surrounding the metropolis make up for what
Jo’burg lacks in beaches and mountain backdrops.
WHAT SHOULDN’T I MISS? Dip into pan-African currents
in Jo’burg’s art spaces and eateries. The Wits Art Museum
turns five this month, and its free-to-view collection from
across the continent is a symbol of the rebirth of the
student-heavy Braamfontein neighbourhood (wits.ac.za).
In a similar vein, Arts on Main has brought creative
studios and other attractions to a former warehouse in
once-neglected Maboneng – come here for the Sunday
market (artsonmain.info). Close by, the 12 Decades Art
Hotel takes the city’s historical journey as inspiration,
with room décor including a nod to Chinese workers in
the gold mines more than a century ago (from £75;
12decadeshotel.co.za). Among dining choices that
stretch to local-style braais (barbecues), spicy Ethiopian
stews and even sushi with an African twist, the city’s
market stalls stand out – try the Saturday Neighbourgoods
Market in Braamfontein (facebook.com/
neighbourgoodsmarketjhb).
HOW DO I GET THERE? Ethiopian Air flies direct from
Singapore to Johannesburg (from £502; ethiopianairlines.
com). Otherwise, fly Qatar Airways (via Doha) or
Emirates (via Dubai) from either Singapore or Kuala
Lumpur (from £578; emirates.com).ALL ABOARD THE WORLD’S SHORTEST RAILWAY
Angels Flight, Los Angeles’ historic funicular, has been shut since 2013. Fresh from its
cameo in
La La Land, the railway is now being restored, and is set to reopen in late-summer (angelsflight.org).GLADIATORS, READY
Rome’s 50,000-seat
Colosseum will open for night
tours on most evenings for the
rest of the year (tickets from
£20; the-colosseum.net).
CLOCKWISE FROM
TOP What if the
World gallery on
the Keyes Art Mile;
chicken fold-over at
the Neighbourgoods
Market; outside drinks
at Arts on Main