Writer + Stylist, Yours Truly The Enthusiast
Do you have a favorite thing you collect when you travel? Candy, lighters and anything else with snazzy packaging, and curatives found in local pharmacies and apothocaries. I know that French drugs I've found have the same analgesic value as our Advil but I like the packaging so much more that it makes me feel better right away.
Worth splurging on when traveling: Clothes by local designers. I cannot count the times I've been complimented on the gorgeous sweaters, dresses and shoes I brought back from Buenos Aires alone. Because of export issues, designers like Maria Cher and Vicki Otero are impossible to find in the US making my souvenirs that much more covetable.
Advice for dealing with chatty or creepy fellow passengers: Fake laryngitis/an ear infection and have an eyemask at the ready.
Meal you would travel for: Not exactly a meal but... Anything made by Pierre Hermé, a pastry chef in Paris. His signature flavor profile is called Ispahan - fresh raspberry, rose, lychee - and both the macarons and croissant he makes with that are startlingly good. When I lost my bank card and had 10 Euros left to my name last October, spending the last of my fortune on his sweets was a no-brainer. You can find his patisserie on the Rue Bonaparte in the 6e - it's absolutely worth a visit!
Dream getaway: It involves me in a refurbished but still rickety river boat down the Nile. Andrew, my boyfriend, is taking tons of photos. On board we have a handful of my best friends, a crackerjack barkeep, and an archelogical expert who guides us through hidden ruins and into underground cities. The chef makes superb Middle Eastern fare, but he knows his way around Italian too. Andrew and I split from the group and take some time to ourselves on Mnemba - off the Tanzanian coast - for the final days of our adventure. Jungle hiking, Indian Ocean swimming and romancing ensue.
Share a soundtrack recommendation for a trip: I am not a particularly nervous flyer, though I do like to give myself an occasional scare getting to the airport on time, but whenever I am anxious or jittered "Fire On The Mountain" by the Dead is like aural Xanax. Listen to it, bros - you'll be mellowing out and getting mile high in no time.
Best hotel you've stayed at: The Grande Bretagne in Athens is spectacular. Aside from having a tremendous history (the British and German armies both took over the entire hotel during WWII, separately of course) the hotel is old Euro glamour. It has a divine rooftop bar where your best bet is to toss back belinis and stare at the sunset-basked Acropolis. Downstairs there is a rather fab, free spa area, with scented saunas and whirlpools and footbaths, oh my. I visited the Bretagne both before and after their enormous renovation and adored both the threadbare grandeur of old and the glossy, accommodating new appointments.
Favorite escape: My family home in Quoque, Long Island. The town is darling and quiet in a lovely beachtown way but full of fun characters and wonderful, old friends (try renting a house there for a weekend if you can, or book a room at The Inn at Quogue.) The house I grew up in is particularly magical and beguiling, with a classically shingled outside, a jazzy, floral, timewarp of an interior and endless lawn space for summer sporting. Our wrap-around porch has to be one of the best places to relax in all the world and doubles as a capital place for party-throwing.
Travel tip: If you are invited to a home cooked meal when on a trip, do go. One of the most memorable experiences I've ever had on a vacation took place outside of Buenos Aires at an "Asado." Prepared in a somewhat suburban back yard on a glorious (yet vaguely medieval-looking) brick grill was the most delicious and colossal meatfest I've ever known. Our lunch consisted of endless conversation, a scrumptious series of malbecs, many kinds of meat and genuine, gracious company. It was better than any restaurant experience I can imagine. And while I'm certain that all Argentines execute killer Asados my friend's Uncle Quique, who hosted us that day, is truly a master. If you are in BA visit his leather goods store, Peter Kent (at 1210 Arenales), and tell him I say hello.
Last vacation you really loved: Some dear friends of ours were married in White Sands, New Mexico last September, one of the most striking settings on earth. We began our celebrations with a few days in Santa Fe during the Zozobra festival (marked by prickly pear margaritas, fireworks, and an epic house party thrown at the beautiful rental) and ended with a sublime desert wedding unlike anything I've ever seen (snow white dunes in lieu of an aisle, midnight rain dancing at the reception, sand-sledding at dawn and a friend-filled camp out.) It was trancendent.
Have you ever used a travel agent, and if so, would you recommend it? My best friend growing up could look at any plane in the sky and tell you which airline it was, where it was going to/coming from, and the seat layout (sometimes he even knew its arrival gate.) Whenever his marvelous grandmother needed a travel companion my friend's passion made him her best choice, and together they saw a good part of the globe, quite glamorously. He was the 12 year old with a frequent flyer account, signed up well before most of my friends' parents. And he grew up to be an exceptional travel advisor and agent. The company he works for, Valerie Wilson Travel, is a bit posh and as such his services are more applicable to luxury jaunting, but he is a terrific person to have on your travel speed dial, even if you have the slightest of means. His name is Will Jennings and you can email him at willj (at) vwti.com
