Patrick and Jessica – Investor & Jewelry Designer
You have to assume a couple adores seeing the world when they give their baby ‘Atlas’ as a middle name – very on-brand for Jessica and Patrick! The pair met while living on opposite sides of the US, moved to Madrid for a few years with their baby son, and now call Mallorca home (although, who knows where’s next). They are, in our eyes, the very definition of a power couple – and rich sources of travel inspiration.
While Jessica is the founder and designer of Zahava Jewelry and The Brave Collection, and a Forbes 30 under 30, Patrick is an advisor, investor, board member of non-profit Apex for Youth and former CMO of Refinery29. Their personal and professional lives have taken them all over the world, and we are forever inspired by the travel tips they’ve collected along the way – check out Jessica’s five reasons to visit Madrid for just a few. But first, read on.
Part of our Insiders series, this is your window into the worlds of the coolest people in Safara’s network. These are the contacts we’d hit up for travel inspiration, whether it’s a hotel recommendation, a new track for our in-transit playlist, the best mini-products to pack, or just to daydream about where we’d open a boutique island hotel (this changes with each Insider guide we read – we’re easily and happily influenced).
Read on for travel inspiration from Jessica and Patrick.
Name three of your favorite hotels?
St Cecilia in Austin. Patrick was living in LA and I was living in NY. We met in the middle here, and went from crushing on each other to deciding to give this love a go!
Perivolas in Santorini. The chicest, most gorgeous hotel experience ever ever ever.
Scarabeo Camp in Morocco. Glamping among the camels and under the stars!
Is there one spot that holds a special memory?
Palm Springs. It’s where Patrick proposed (on a hike with my family) and where we got married!
Who’s the planner? Who likes to fly by the seat of their pants?
Patrick is definitely the planner — he is meticulous— an incredible planner. Typically, our itinerary revolves around one thing: food. We are total foodies and map out entire trips based on meals.
Best travel tip you’ve learned from each other?
Patrick taught me how to travel light. When we met, I was the worst packer, I’d just throw everything I have into a giant suitcase. Now, we are strictly carry on — I bring only what I will use, and it’s so much easier. Plus, less to unpack when you get home.
What’s the best hotel experience you’ve had while traveling together?
Sleeping in a museum at the Benesse House Hotel in Naoshima, Japan, was out-of-control incredible.
Tell us where’s next on your travel bucket list?
We are dying to go to Sicily for the beaches (and vongole)!
Favorite vacation to take as a couple?
We both love the beach, we are total sun worshippers and so adore a gorgeous ocean. That said, we also love exploring new cities. Usually, we try to find a friend-of-a-friend that lives in the city, to get a local experience. We are really aligned on travel as a couple, luckily. Our tastes have sorted melded into one and we tend to get excited about the same places.
What is the one item you can’t travel without?
I love my cashmere travel wrap from White + Warren, because it’s always chilly on planes and airports. And I always wear my Zahava jewelry — it adds some texture and light to anything I’m wearing, and feels like a token of protection on my travels. Finally, I pack my leopard pony hair slippers from the souk in Morocco, because they are so comfy! Patrick’s would probably be tech devices.
When it comes to airport and travel logistics, are you both aligned?
We are both the worst! We have missed more than one flight, mainly down to the fact that we just loathe wasting time at the airport and being too early. Now that we have a baby though, we are getting our act together!
When you’re not traveling with each other, who’s your next favorite partner in crime?
We both actually love traveling alone. It’s less of a draw now we have each other, but before we met, I spent a lot of time doing solo travel, and sometimes I still like to take a few days on a trip to just explore and reflect.
Who’s chief trip planner?
Patrick.
Who gets aisle, who gets window?
I get aisle, because I always have to pee.
First poolside drink?
Iced tea.
Room service or hotel restaurant?
Restaurant! We like getting dressed and getting the vibe for a place, as we are social butterflies.
Business-class flight, or more luxe hotel?
We go both ways — all about the high / low. We will splurge on cushy flights and then eat a $5 taco dinner when we arrive, or take a last-minute budget flight and then book a swanky hotel! We’ve learned that more expensive doesn’t always mean better.
