After spending three months travelling solo through Japan, I’ve created a two-week food tour for anyone wanting to taste the country’s best flavours. From Tokyo’s sushi and ramen to Osaka’s famous street food and Fukuoka’s rich miso soups, this guide takes you through Japan’s most delicious regions with travel tips, local dishes and must-try experiences along the way.
It all started somewhere between Johannesburg and Paris. I’d been visiting my grandmother in South Africa and also Victoria Falls — spending time between Zimbabwe and Zambia. It had been a lot of travelling, the kind that leaves you feeling equal parts inspired and exhausted. I'd had an unforgettable time but I was ready for my own bed again.
When I finally boarded my flight home, I found myself in the middle seat. Eleven hours ahead, no window, no aisle, and a neighbour who began snoring before take-off. The cabin lights dimmed, the air settled into that steady hum — and that’s when I started to notice the habits of those beside me.
The airline blanket offered had a slight toxic smell and felt like it had been washed a thousand times. Yet, a surprising amount of fellow passengers around me had pulled their blankets over their heads, forming little tents to block the light. I relented and tried it too — but within minutes I was overheating. I remember actually recording a short video on my phone saying, “There has to be a better way.”
That’s where the first sketches of the Plane Hoodie (SYD) were born. Over the following months, I experimented endlessly with the neck pillow element — easily the trickiest part to get right, both functionally and visually. It took a lot of iterations, air miles and patience, but we finally had something we were super proud of.
Today, the Plane Hoodie (SYD) is everything I wished I’d had on that flight. The hood is super soft and blocks out the light perfectly (no blanket needed). The hidden passport pocket on the left chest keeps your essentials close. The kangaroo fleece pockets add another layer of coziness. Inside, you’ll find waist adjusters and the black metal zips give it a premium, durable finish. Made from 100% cotton, the hoodie is thermoregulating, designed for that cabin sweet spot of around 22°C at a purposeful 330 GSM — not too hot, not too cold. On long-haul flights I can confidently say: it makes all the difference.
Our designs will keep evolving — because every flight sparks a new idea.
So who's running things behind the scenes? Well, we thought we'd introduce you to the crew. Four awesome people, all born in different countries, but who share a love for all things travel and adventure. We asked Nick, Dinne, Ciara and Temi so quickfire travel themed questions -
Nick
Top 3 Favourite Countries? South Africa, Italy and Greece
Best Travel Story? Christmas Eve in Shanghai
Window or Aisle? Window
Carry On or Checked? Carry on always
Next Dream Trip? Uganda, Gorilla trek
Dinne
Top 3 Favourite Countries? Japan, Italy and Indonesia
Best Travel Story? Thailand Latern Festival
Window or Aisle? Window of courseee
Carry On or Checked? Checked; I'm a girl lol
Next Dream Trip? Diving in the Philippines
Ciara
Top 3 Favourite Countries? China, Portugal and Vietnam
Best Travel Story? The Tibetan Monks
Window or Aisle? Aisle, I’m a fidget
Carry On or Checked? Carry on; I've got places to be
Next Dream Trip? Tanzania, Kilimanjaro
Temi
Top 3 Favourite Countries? Greece, Nigeria and The Netherlands
Best Travel Story? The Sahara Desert Flat Tyre
Window or Aisle? Window
Carry On or Checked? Carry on for lifeeee
Next Dream Trip? Japan / Norway
How many of us spend our days like this? Wake up - check small screen, go to work to stare at a medium screen for 8 hours, then go home and watch a bigger screen for an hour or two to relax. Then we repeat.
Travelling to me means the satisfaction of only dealing with one screen. One screen for - translating, currency exchange rates, maps and yes also photos. I'll sometimes bring my laptop along but 9/10 times I'll refrain from using it.
Trust me, you can have a digital detox without leaving your phone behind. I wouldn't recommend that. Just by turning off your data for a couple hours, you'll start to feel more relaxed.
The answer is simple - the exact age you are right now.
Let me explain why I truly believe this:
There's a high chance you're reading this on a phone right now, so let's use it as the analogy -
When you're a kid it's like having 100% battery and wifi but no data. Without data you can struggle.
When you're an adult, you've got data and wifi and powerful apps but you're stuck on 5% battery.
When you're old, you get a charger, but the wifi is slow and the data doesn't matter as much because you're out and about less.
The battery is time. The data is money. The wifi is energy.
The moral of the story is - put your phone down, book that trip you've been thinking about.
Safe travels,
The Air Kitto Team
I’ve explored Thailand’s islands, Vietnam’s chaos, and Cambodia’s temples. But this year, it was time for something new — Laos. Laos is like the cool, low-key cousin in the family.
It’s a place that still feels a little untouched. The roads are quieter, ATM's fewer, Wi-Fi weaker, but the smiles are wider. I landed in the capital Vientiane, before getting a very comfortable high-speed train to Vang Vieng. The views from the left side of the train were fascinating, passing small villages and towns amongst vast mountain ranges. Vang Vieng is where limestone cliffs rise out of the mist and blue lagoons hide around the corners of worn roads. Within a day, I was swimming, cliff-jumping, and somehow floating above it all in a hot-air balloon — equal parts peaceful and party. I met some great people on the hot-air balloon and we went for dinner and drinks after.
From there, Luang Prabang turned things up a notch: sunrise coffee by the Mekong, saffron-robed monks passing by, and waterfalls so turquoise you’ll doubt your phone settings. It’s one of those places that doesn’t need to try. At night there's lots of fellow travellers buzzing around the food market and if you need a little extra - ask about the bowling alley.
But what really stands out in Laos is the people. Travellers swap stories instead of follower counts, locals smile and chat before they try sell, and every conversation feels a tad more genuine. It’s travel the way I imagined it used to be — unfiltered, unhurried, unforgettable.
If you’ve already checked off Southeast Asia’s greatest hits, then make room for Laos. It’s for everyone who still believes the world has surprises left. I was left so pleasantly surprised and Laos leaves a lasting impression.
