Spanning over two decades, Akiko Takashima’s career in marketing, communications and digital has taken her across Europe, US, the Middle East, Russia and APAC – basically all around the world. She started out in music artist management, before switching her focus to the luxury fashion, beauty and lifestyle industries. She’s since worked with senior management teams at brands including Stella McCartney, Smythson and Roland Mouret, increasing their growth and visibility on a global scale.

Born in Japan, Akiko was educated in the UK, has lived in five countries, and speaks two languages. She now runs her own agency Strategy Luxe, a 360 boutique consultancy dedicated to luxury fashion, beauty, wellness and technology. She’s top of her game, and our go-to for advice on style, travel, comm’s… Well, everything really. Prepare to be inspired.

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 Akiko Takashima.

Name three of your favorite hotels?

Sri Panwa, Thailand. Who doesn’t want to share a private outdoor bath with a monkey? It was kind of weird, but kind of cool.

Chalets Chamarel, Mauritius. The view is like being on top of the world in absolute peace and tranquility.

Atzaro, Ibiza. The secret garden outdoor sauna is the best!

What three songs are on your travel playlist?

Sun In My Eyes (MJ Cole Remix), by Myomi. Higher Love, by James Vincent McMorrow. And Electric Feel, by Henry Green and Kygo.

Have you or would you travel alone?

Yes, I have done many times. It opens up new experiences to be on your own and creates a space that allows you to be free.

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

Ritz Singapore cleaned my hairbrush, removed all hairs and it looked brand new!

Where would you go for a digital detox, or to just generally get off the grid?

Surfing in Nosara, Costa Rica.

What are your favorite travel hacks?

Get the seat closest to the door, so you can be first off the plane.

Do you have any tips or tricks for beating the dreaded jet lag?

If you fly on a red-eye back home, you can have a nap til noon. But you MUST wake up after that and stay awake for the rest of the day. Leave the house, so you are not tempted to fall back to sleep. Go to bed at 9pm and then you will be back on your timezone!

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

A cotton hoodie jumpsuit. Looks super stylish off the plane, but comfy enough to sleep in.

Is in-flight wifi a good idea?

NO!

Lost luggage, or lost phone? 

Lost luggage.

Early check-in/ late check-out? 

Late check-out.

Read more from our Insiders series, here.

Gregory Früchtenicht believes that purpose-driven hospitality is the future of the industry – and we’re inclined to agree. Since starting his career with experiential travel experts Black Tomato back in 2014, Greg has moved away from the world of luxury travel and developed his own brand of purposeful partnerships.

In 2020, he co-founded Nights On Us, a non-profit that offers complimentary hotel stays for NHS workers. Alongside this, Greg is also Director of Partnerships at Saira Hospitality, a non-profit that partners with hotels to educate and empower local communities. He’s based in London, where he is currently setting up Saira’s first permanent hospitality school.

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 Gregory Früchtenicht.

Name three of your favourite hotels?

Angama Mara, Great Rift Valley, Kenya. I’ve never met such a genuinely passionate and happy team – the respect and cohesion there is palpable. I’ve also never woken up somewhere that feels so luxurious, but so wild at the same time. The smiles, the views, you have to go.

Galápagos Magic, Santa Cruz Island, Galápagos Islands. If you’re a nature lover, there’s nowhere better. The owner has restored the hotel grounds to create the ideal habitat for giant tortoises to thrive, so you’re sure to see more tortoises than other guests. You can also have a private dining experience inside their very own lava cave, which is pretty special.  

Guntu, Onomichi, Japan. I’ve never actually spent the night here (is that cheating?), but I had lunch onboard and completely fell in love with the concept. It’s somewhere between a ryokan and a yacht, offering the perfect way to explore Japan’s stunning Seto Inland Sea.

Tell us about a trip that went off the rails – what happened, and what did you unexpectedly discover? 

That’s a tricky one, as there are a few! In 2017, I was driving through Kazakhstan, from Almaty to Astana, with a group of friends. One sunny afternoon we found a prime camping spot, right in the heart of the Kazakh Steppe, hundreds of miles from any civilization. We’d just finished pitching up, when a biblical storm rolled in from nowhere. There were bolts from Zeus himself, hail stones the size of fists and the wind destroyed our entire camp.

As the tallest things in the super flat grasslands, we were convinced that we would be struck by lightening. So, we took cover in the truck, drank beers, ate noodles and nervously laughed until it passed. We unexpectedly discovered the perfect place to chug those crazy double-pint cans they sell in Central Asia – have you seen those?!

Have you or would you travel alone?

Yes, I think you learn a lot about yourself when you travel solo. That said, my favorite trips have combined some time on my own with a group or duo element either side.

Where would you go to digitally detox, or to just generally get off the grid?

The Outer Hebrides, Scotland. It’s one of those amazing places where you have no interest in checking your phone, which is handy really, as there’s no connection.  

What magazines do you buy at the airport?

If they sold them, it would be Sidetracked Magazine and Boat Magazine. The former is an adventure journal that combines beautiful photography with pulse-raising editorial by the world’s most gnarly (and well-written) adventurists. Boat, sadly, is no longer in production, but if you can get your hands on their back-catalogue you won’t regret it. For each issue, the entire editorial team moved to the city they were reporting on and worked with locals to create the stories.

Anxiety and burn out are big topics these days. How do you combat them, and how do you use travel to do so?

I recently created a ‘Nature Planner’ for 2022, to help me plot out specific plans to get more doses of the great outdoors. Nature is a major driver in my overall productivity and happiness, but it can be hard to prioritize in London. My nature trips are mostly in the UK, with some larger adventures thrown in overseas for good measure where possible.

Do you have any tips or tricks for beating the dreaded jet lag?

Run! Get outside and break a sweat, it’s perfect for exploring, too, if you’ve just landed somewhere new.  

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

Socks and Birkenstocks. Sure, I can hear some readers shudder at the thought. And, make sure they’re the plastic ones, so you can waltz through security without whipping them off.

You travel for work, a lot. How did you get into doing what you do? What advice would you give someone who wants to have travel as a critical part of their job?

I studied journalism and always wanted to explore the world with a pen and not much else. When I graduated, London called and I took a two-week freelance role Black Tomato. That two weeks turned into five years and set me on the path I’m on today.

My advice would be to either look inside the industry if you’re passionate about it, and want to make a difference beyond selling holidays. Or, go freelance, find two or three brands you love, pick a few destinations you’ve always wanted to stay in for longer than three months, and pack a bag.

In flight wifi, good idea?

No, I love those hours of escape from tech.

Favorite travel app?

Dark Sky is great if you’re on an adventure that requires pinpoint weather knowledge.

Beach, city or mountains?

Mountains, all day long.

Read more from our Insiders series, here.

Dylan has pretty much come full circle. Starting her career in training and development, she got itchy feet and followed an opportunity to pursue travel writing in Dubai of all places. There, Dylan had the enviable job as Culture Editor for lifestyle magazine Savoir Flair, where she traveled the world to report on the latest luxury hospitality and fashion trends.

Today, she not only contributes to the likes of Vogue, WSJ, and Conde Nast Traveler, she also runs a Travel Coaching business dedicated to helping people build better lives through their travels. She’s been almost much everywhere, so we’ve swiftly added her epic hotel picks to our bucket list.

With over 15 years in the fashion industry, working with the likes of Burberry, Tory Burch, Marc Jacobs, Chloe and Gucci, it made total sense for Adam to launch communications agency L52 in 2016. Representing global clients like The Private Suite, Etro, Collagerie and Bally mean Adam is constantly on the move. This also means he know the best hotel lobbies for getting work done and has a great hack for maximizing air miles.

Not content with just a day job, Adam is also launching a menswear and travel brand, SMR, in January 2020 with his partners Dan May and Gautam Rajani.

Check out L52 @L52World and Adam on @shapsupinhere

Name 3 favorite hotels, anywhere, off the top of your head (can be glamping places, lodges, just no AirBnBs). Also why are they your favorites? (short answer is great!)

I haven’t been there yet – going for New Year’s – but I know the Explora in the Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia will be one of these. So let’s save a spot for it. It’s an incredible hotel in the middle of a national park in the Southern tip of Chile. Remote, surrounded by unbelievable scenery. Hiking and horseback riding against insane backdrops. (I’ll adjust this comment just after the trip)

Taj Rambagh Palace, Jaipur – grand surroundings but somehow homey too, with beautiful grounds and the best thali in Rajasthan (or so my boyfriend claims).

Riad El Fenn, Marrakech – I’m a little biased, as it’s co-owned by my business partner’s husband, BUT: truly inspired interiors, wonderful food and staff and magical views of Marrakech and the Atlas Mountains. Beautiful but intimate, and cooler than the really grand palace hotels.

∙ What is the best hotel amenity you’ve ever encountered?

I always remember the products. Right when Byredo was launching, I stayed at the Nobis in Stockholm, and all of the bath products were Blanche. I love that scent to this day and wear it all the time. Also have a soft spot for the Bulgari Green Tea set at the Pierre in NY (not sure if they still have it – this was in ’99…which shows you how long that’s stayed with me).

∙ What do you love most about working in hospitality?

∙ What hotel room design element can you not live without? (ex: master switch by the bed)

Drawers and a good closet. It drives me crazy when you can’t actually unpack properly.

∙ What are your favorite “offices” while traveling? (ex: Chateau Marmont, NeueHouse, favorite coffee shops…)

I clock a fair amount of hours in the lobby at the Mercer. They save it for guests only, so you can always find a spot. Everyone is always happy to meet you there. And the ginger margaritas are delicious and go down way too quickly.

∙ Where would you go for a digital detox or just generally to get off the grid?

∙ You travel a lot for work…was this something you were seeking in a career? If so, how did you go about designing your career life to include so much travel, and how do you make it as relaxing and fun as possible?

∙ What 3 songs are on your OOO playlist?

Satin Jackets – Never Enough (Cassara Remix) – my bf and my song, which we listened to on repeat (and still do) while on a roadtrip through Cyprus

The Highwomen – favourite album of 2019 and I still cannot get enough of it. Someone’s from the South!

Also love a 70’s disco / classic road trip mix. Salsoul, Bee Gees – yes please.

∙ Do you have any favorite travel hacks (ways to score an upgrade, methods of getting your meal first on a flight, etc)?

If you’re not in a rush, don’t be afraid of the layover. Done right, it can double the points you would otherwise get on your long-haul flight.

∙ What do you always bring with you in your carry-on?

∙ If you could swap suitcases with anyone in the world (alive or dead) at baggage claim, who would you swap with?

∙ Have you or would you travel alone? If Y/N, why?

Sure. I had a great weekend at the Four Seasons in Kyoto following a work event in Tokyo. Ate (like seriously ate), shopped, visited shrines, hit the spa. I’m an inquisitive traveller, so I can always find things to do.

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

∙ What was your favorite room service experience ever?

∙ Best travel advice you’ve ever received, and from whom?

∙ Who is your dream “co-pilot” (travel partner- dead or alive), and why? 

∙ Anxiety and burn-out are big topics these days. How do you combat them, and how do you use travel to do so?

∙ Do you have any tips or tricks for beating the dreaded jet lag?

∙ Travel can be about the little luxuries…like a super amazing cup of coffee. Where was the best one you’ve had?

What about a big luxury? I’m lucky enough to work with The Private Suite, the private terminal at LAX. You go from plane to car (via chauffeured runway transfer) with bags in 10 minutes. Tops. Private customs, private security, and a suite stocked like a Duane Reade – more candy and medicine than you could possibly need.

∙ What is your favorite travel book or magazine- for at home, or abroad- and why? 

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

Anything – and preferably everything – Loro Piana. 

∙ Rank the following, from most to least important to you, re: what you seek in a hotel experience: unique, comfortable, architecturally intriguing, close to things, dope minibar, has a pool, doesn’t break the bank, locals hang out there.

∙ If you could quit your job and follow the “Mamma Mia” dream (ie open a small hotel in a foreign land or on a remote island), where would you do it?

∙ What’s the craziest thing you’ve purchased abroad and brought home (or tried to carry-on) from your travels?

∙ You have an hour to spare at the airport. What would I find you doing?

∙ Where’s your next trip? If vacation, why did you choose there? 

Rapid Fire Round: CHOOSE 3 to answer (1 word/ short form!)

∙ Beach or City or Mountain?

∙ Alone or with someone else?

∙ In flight wifi- good idea: yes or no?

∙ Lost luggage, or lost phone?

∙ Airplane food- Y/N?

∙ Fantasy mini bar/fridge item?

∙ Early check-in/ late check-out? Early check in

∙ Favourite subscription service you’ll never delete? (ex: netflix/ spotify)

∙ In flight cocktail – Y/N? What kind?

∙ Favourite travel app (*get creative! Ideally something relatively unknown)

∙ Window or Aisle? Aisle

∙ Yoga or hotel gym? Hotel gym

Spencer Wells is a photographer, filmmaker and writer, who’s lived in a few of our favorite places: San Francisco, Los Angeles and now, Brooklyn. His work explores the relationship between people and the natural environment, in his words: “frequently introducing ethereal elements to create dynamic compositions.” He shoots travel, fashion, design, lifestyle, portraits – and clients range from Architectural Digest to Amazon, Mr Porter, New York Times, and Wallpaper*.

In a bold move for a visual expert, his Instagram feed is intriguingly blank – so you’ll have to head to his website to get the full Spencer Wells experience (although he does post photographic inspiration via stories so, still worth a follow). Given his line of work, he also has a wealth of travel stories, which we’ve tapped into below.

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 Spencer Wells.

Name three of your favorite hotels?

Jackalope Hotel, Mornington Peninsula, Melbourne, Australia. With an infinity pool that looks out over vineyards, an incredible wine list, two delicious restaurants on the property, and beautifully designed structures, Jackalope does it all right. It’s close to beaches, ocean cliffs and wineries, but really, you don’t want to leave the property.

Club de Patos, Mexico. A former duck hunting lodge set on the beach just outside Sisal, you really feel removed from the rest of the world here. Renovations kept the essence of the rustic buildings, but added the modern amenities that we all appreciate. The chef serves up delicious local dishes, while the bar has a pool table and a healthy selection of mezcal.

Tourists Welcome, North Adams, Massachusetts. This place feels like a chic summer camp for adults – it opened opened the door to all the cool things to see and do in Western Massachusetts. It’s close to awesome hiking, swimming, dining and the Mass MOCA, and was an easy getaway from NYC. The design was also so on point that I brought more than one idea back to my Brooklyn apartment.

What three songs are on your travel playlist?

Friends, by Francis and the Lights feat. Bon Iver. Desert Trip, by Jonathan Wilson. And Thinking of a Place, by The War on Drugs.

Have you or would you travel alone?

Absolutely, traveling alone gives me the ultimate freedom to take a trip in a new direction on a whim, strike up a conversation with a stranger, or embrace jet-lag to get out of bed early to watch a sunrise.

What traits do you most value in a great travel partner?

Flexible, cool-headed, curious, multi-lingual, and tolerant of excessive photo stops.

Where would you go for a digital detox, or to just generally get off the grid?

I’d base out of Servimont in Tlachichuca to climb mountains in Central Mexico, for a digital and physical detox. Followed by a weekend in Mexico City, to retox, but feel like I’m still off the grid.

What magazines do you buy at the airport?

Monocle, because it always has lots of quality reads for a long flight, plus inspiring travel stories.

What’s your go-to room service meal?

If I get in late after a long day of travel, a cheeseburger, fries and a glass of pinot noir always sets me in a good mood for some much-needed rest.

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

The best coffee is always in Australia – there are a few spots.

What do you always bring with you in your carry-on?

A point-and-shoot camera, paperback book, sweater, an extra pair of warm socks, sunglasses, a few basic toiletries and headphones.

Fantasy mini-bar/fridge item?

Tiramisu.

In-flight cocktail?

Bloody Mary for an early flight.

Beach, city or mountains?

Mountains.

Read more from our Insiders series, here.