Babba C Rivera is that smart, successful woman who also happens to be gorgeous, stylish and nice. She’s Swedish and of Chilean descent, but has called NYC home since early 2015. An award-winning brand marketing professional (Forbes 30 under 30), she has experience working in fashion and tech in Stockholm, Berlin and New York, and has been featured in publications including Vogue and The Coveteur.

After working on the launch of Uber in Sweden, she moved to NYC to be its Head of Partnerships, and ran the company’s largest consumer partnerships with brands including Evian, Rag & Bone and Lyst. She left for a position as Director of Brand Marketing at a then-unknown luggage company, AWAY, and after she helped scale it to a household name she set out to found her own business — all before hitting 30.

Babba now works to merge the gap between the agency world and the uprise of fast-moving, direct-to-consumer brands with her company, Bybabba – a next-gen agency, based in New York. She is also the founder of beauty brand, Ceremonia. And she’s a board member of game tech company Leo Vegas and accessories brand ATP Atelier. She is also a wife, the co-founder of women in business network HER USA, and dog mama to the adorable @blue.official.

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 Babba C Rivera.

What hotel room design element can you not live without?

I cannot live without a good hotel bathrobe! Staying in hotels for me is a form of self-care and nothing feels more like self-care than coming home after a long day and putting on a cozy robe and a face mask.

What three songs are on your OOO playlist?

Only Love by Ben Howard, Riptide by Vance Joy and Slip by Elliot Moss.

Travel can be about the little luxuries, like an amazing cup of coffee. Where was the best one you’ve had?

Café Fabrique in Stockholm, Sweden is a favorite spot of mine for a delicious coffee and cinnamon bun.

Anxiety and burnout are side effects of modern living. How do you combat them?

It is about taking advantage of those little moments you have during the day to really check in and recharge. I download meditation sessions on my phone via Headspace before takeoff, and take the offline moment in-flight to focus on calming. I also have a full skincare routine during my flights, using Verso’s hydration sheet masks, Vintner’s Daughter serum with a floral essence and the Tata Harper essential oil rollers for anti-stress.

You travel a lot for work – what are your tips for making it as easy and relaxing as possible?

I always try to stay in hotel rooms with a bathtub or really luxurious showers, nice robes and an amazing staff. Bank Hotel in Stockholm is definitely a new favorite for me- their staff is incredibly accommodating. Nobis Hotel in Copenhagen is another favorite. Both hotels have great bath amenities and a super helpful staff. On top of that, they both have great restaurants within the hotel which makes it easy (and so convenient) to host business meetings at the hotel, over breakfast or lunch.

What’s your go-to outfit for getting through security quickly, and still looking good?

I love sets! My go-to right now is the Rag Doll set, paired with furry Gucci slippers. The set is wool, so it keeps me warm but it is still breathable and the slippers are so easy when going through airport security.

Who is your dream co-pilot or travel partner?

My dog Blue! She brings a source of zen to any destination.

Travel alone or with someone else?

With someone else.

Is in-flight wifi a good idea?

No!!

Fantasy minibar/fridge item?

Kombucha and milk chocolate.

Favourite travel app?

Blinkist! The app summarizes books into condensed 25-minute podcast episodes.

Read more from our Insiders series, here.

Nicholas Campbell started his companies, Narcissus Arts and Campbell Art Advisory, with the goal of making art more accessible for people he knew – the first time art buyers and art lovers in their 20s and 30s, who can afford to spend a few thousand, but who are typically ignored by an industry that seems to cater only to oligarchs and millionaires. Prior to founding his business, Nick gained art world experience at Victoria Miro and White Cube galleries in London, and Christie’s Auction House in New York. He also says sage stuff like: “I think art, at its best, provides viewers with a bit of escapism.” We couldn’t agree more.

Nick was chosen as the UK’s best art consultant under 35 by Spears Magazine in 2014, and was on British GQ‘s “Self Made List” as a top entrepreneur in 2017. He’s also a member of the ‘New 100 Club’, which is a collection of the top 100 young art collectors worldwide. Born and raised in London, he’s pretty much always on the road – from San Francisco to Costa Rica to New Delhi and beyond, he’s been there, or is planning to go there asap. Given his naturally curious mind and aesthetic eye, he’s our go-to when planning an artful escape.

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 Nicholas Campbell.

What is the most unique hotel amenity you’ve ever encountered?

Personalized bicycles.

What hotel room design element can you not live without?

A bathtub.

What are your favorite bouji offices while traveling?

By the pool of the Setai, Miami. The rooftop of Soho House, Istanbul, the lobby of the Imperial in Delhi.

Art being your main passion – what hotels have memorable art collections that are worth a peek, whether you’re staying there or not?

The Thief (Oslo), The Dolder Grand (Switzerland), Cavalieri (Rome).

If you could outfit any three hotels in the world with Narcissus Arts’ works, what would they be?

The new Peninsula that will open soon in London, the Four Seasons in Singapore and the Delano in Miami as it needs a facelift.

What’s your best tip for finding under the radar / unique galleries while traveling?

Contact me.

If you could swap suitcases with anyone in the world at baggage claim, who would you swap with?

Jude Law.

Who is your dream co-pilot or travel partner?

Richard Ayoade as his hatred of traveling would be endlessly amusing.

If you’re going to a new place, and your friends have not been there, whodo you consult for advice?

Personally, my go-to is the Conde Nast Traveller ‘City Guide’. They never fail to be on point and up to date.

Best travel advice you’ve ever received?

When going to Ibiza, always pay extra to sit at the very front of the plane.

Anxiety and burnout are side effects of modern living. How do you combat them?

I’m lucky that I can fall asleep almost immediately when traveling, so I, in fact, tend to use the actual voyage as my downtime. 

Do you have any favorite travel hacks?

Always be polite and always give it a go, you’d be surprised at how many times you can get an upgrade, or at least get a better seat – just by being nice and asking.

Travel can be about the little luxuries, like an amazing cup of coffee. Where was the best one you’ve had?

Costa Rica. Even on the side of the road, the coffee is excellent.

What is your favorite travel book?

Bill Bryson ‘Notes From a Small Island’. It’s an amusing read

What’s your favorite room service experience ever?

I’m a simple person, a free bottle of something, preferably in an ice bucket for when you arrive can never fail to impress.

If you could quit your job and follow the Mamma Mia dream (ie. open a small hotel in another country or on a remote island), where would it be?

A Riad in Marrakech is the dream.

Travel alone or with someone else?

Alone.

Is in-flight wifi a good idea?

No.

Window or aisle?

Window.

Read more from our Insiders series, here.