Spending Christmas and New Year here wasn’t just a holiday choice for Cornelia Guest it was the realisation of a long-held travel dream. From early-morning game drives and evenings under African skies to thoughtful packing rituals and well-earned rest, this traveller shares what makes South Africa feel both thrilling and grounding.
Cultural icon of the 1980s, actress, philanthropist, and passionate animal rights advocate, Cornelia Guest has spent more than four decades moving effortlessly between high society, Hollywood, and fashion. The daughter of Winston Frederick Churchill Guest and a third cousin of Winston Churchill, she first appeared in Vogue at just one year old, was later crowned “Debutante of the Decade,” and became a defining presence in New York’s glittering social scene.
Recently, Cornelia traded Dallas winters for a sun-drenched South African escape, travelling from December 22 through January 4. Drawing on a lifetime of global travel and having lived in multiple cities, she shares the essentials that keep her grounded on the move; from her go-to carry-on items and long-haul flight must-haves to the rituals that help her stay rested and refreshed across time zones.
Glamour: South Africa is your holiday destination this year. What drew you to spending Christmas and New Year here?
Cornelia: South Africa has always been on my bucket list as a place to visit. I was really interested in the wildlife. There are animals I’d never seen in the wild before, so I was so excited to go.
Glamour: You’ve traveled the world for decades. What makes a destination feel like “home” to you, even when you’re far away?
Cornelia: I think a destination feels like home when it's a place you've been wanting to go to and get to share the experience with wonderful friends.
Glamour: How do you like to immerse yourself in a new place while still travelling respectfully and thoughtfully?
Cornelia: I like to immerse myself in my surroundings. In South Africa, it was pretty easy because you had to wear certain clothes. I had cargo pants and T-shirts, and you had to blend in with your environment. They were very specific about what they wanted you to wear, so immersing myself in that culture came naturally.
Glamour: What’s one travel ritual you always do on arrival that helps you settle into a new time zone?
Cornelia: I bring a baby pillow with me everywhere. It helps me sleep knowing I will have a good pillow, which makes settling into a new time zone much easier. I also pack lavender oil and try to take a bath with it wherever I am, and that always puts me right out.
Glamour: How has your approach to travel changed from the 1980s to now?
Cornelia: Honestly, my approach has not changed much. I always make sure I have snacks. I never eat on an airplane, so I always bring my own food, no matter where I am. If I'm leaving a country, I will try to get a sandwich or have the hotel make me one. It's something I've always done and will continue doing.
Glamour: What does a perfect holiday day in South Africa look like for you?
Cornelia: A perfect day starts early with a game drive. Watching all the animals wake up, and seeing if they did during the night, mainly hunting. Then you spend the day at one of the great lodges and go back out at night for a delicious dinner. South Africa was wonderful!
Glamour: What’s one travel lesson you’ve learned the hard way but now swear by?
Cornelia: I have learned I cannot have a cocktail on a plane. It always makes me so sick. I do not know why, so I never drink on airplanes anymore. If I do, it completely ruins the following day for me.
What’s in her suitcase...
Glamour: What are your absolute non-negotiables when packing for a summer holiday in South Africa?
Cornelius: For a safari, it is mostly shorts, sneakers, cargo pants, T-shirts, and shirts. The key is putting those pieces together in a way that is comfortable for you. And always bring a sweater because it gets cold at night.
Glamour: What fashion staples do you always pack for warm-weather destinations?
Cornelius: I always pack a bathing suit because you never know if there's a pool or you could end up by the beach. If it gets hot, you can take a swim.
Glamour: Are there any beauty or wellness items you rely on to stay refreshed after long-haul flights?
Cornelius: I always bring beauty products on the plane. Right now, I love Allies of Skin; I pack a moisturiser and antimicrobial spray because there are so many different bugs on planes. I want to keep my skin as clean as possible. I always put on moisturiser and take my makeup off before the flight. That is key.
Glamour: What’s one unexpected item in your suitcase that most people wouldn’t think to pack?
Cornelius: I always bring a baby pillow on the plane!
Glamour: Do you have a go-to carry-on essential that makes flying more comfortable?
Cornelius: I always bring my baby pillow, a scarf to keep warm, and some kind of lozenge, elderberry, zinc, or eucalyptus to help stay healthy.
Glamour: What’s your top tip for staying well-rested and glowing while crossing time zones?
Cornelius: I try to stick to the local time as soon as I get there, and I always make sure to hydrate and use lavender oil. A good sleep routine really helps me feel rested and refreshed, even after long flights
Quick-Fire Questions
Window or aisle?
Aisle
Carry-on only or checked luggage?
Checked luggage
Plane sleep: yes or no?
Yes
Favourite travel scent?
Lavendar
One thing you always buy abroad?
Chocolate
Best advice for first-time travellers to South Africa?
Go with an open mind and have a ball!
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