It has been nearly a year since we first dedicated an entire issue to the spirit of travel—a celebration of spontaneity and a much-needed change of scenery. At Vogue Singapore, we believe that the new face of travel is slow and considered—rooted in culture, connection and purpose.
At the heart of this year’s travel issue is the word Sonder, defined as the realisation that each individual, from the strangers one passes on the street to acquaintances they encounter every day, has a life as complex and full as one’s own. “Sonder, to me, is witnessing the lives of others reflected back at you—a quiet reminder of a sea of untold stories unfolding in parallel,” says editor-in-chief Desmond Lim.
“It’s not enough to visit new places. You have to step outside your bubble and connect with the people around you,” echoes British-Indian model Neelam Gill, reflecting on her perspective on the true joys of travel.
At just 30 years old, Gill, who is from Coventry, has carved out a career for the books, becoming the first British-Indian ambassador for L’Oréal Paris UK and the first South Asian model to work with Burberry, Abercrombie & Fitch and, most recently, gracing the much-anticipated resurgence of the Victoria’s Secret runway. She now fronts Vogue Singapore’s May issue, captured on a quiet odyssey through Spain, a vision framed by sun-bleached stone, endless waters and the poet’s sun burning gently overhead.
Our Sonder issue takes us around the world and all the way to Andermatt, a quaint alpine village nestled in the heart of Switzerland. A masterclass in sustainable hospitality development, Andermatt has become the unexpected site of a vibrant revitalisation—steadily transforming into a captivating new home for a spirited global community.
Meanwhile, on the self-care front, dive into a must-visit edit of beauty and wellness locales—from Copenhagen to Marrakech. Whether you prefer your cosmetic experiences high-tech and customised, or lo-fi and wellness-led, these healing escapes and hip spots will certainly spirit you away. Plus, packing lists tailored for each destination await.
But you don’t have to travel far to discover world-class hospitality. Returning to Asia, we turn our gaze to the exceptional richness of our neighbouring region, where heartfelt generosity, novel experiences and the enchanting allure of multiculturalism define the spirit of travel in this part of the world.
From Da Nang, Vietnam’s emerging cultural capital, to Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s sparkling jewel of dining and nightlife, we uncover six must-visit escapes where history, craftsmanship and natural splendour converge in unforgettable style.
And finally, for a bit of fun, we’ve created a word search game to spark your own interpretation of Sonder. Much like our cover, this word feels like we are standing at the edge of a vast sea of stories, each wave carrying a life unfolding somewhere beyond our horizon—a feeling that is part melancholy, part wonder and deeply human.
Editor-in-chief Desmond Lim
Photography Javier Castán
Styling Konca Aykan
Hair Mariona Botella/Kasteel
Make-up Iria Salgado/Uno Artists
Set designer Mario Serrano
Production Sample
Producers Tamara Bucio and David Bay
Production assistants Hichem Boumedol, Marçal Vernet and David Carreras
Digital operator Amets Iriondo
First lighting assistant Simon Lucadamo
Stylist’s assistant Andreea Georgiana Rădoi
The May ‘Sonder’ issue of Vogue Singapore is now available for pre-order online and will be available in-store from 14 May.
