Safara

Kat Heiberger – Holistic Health Practitioner & Yoga Teacher

Written by Safara on .

The person we look to when we’re in need of a restorative reboot? Kat Heiberger. Kat was a Project Manager at The Martin Agency before committing to becoming a full-time yoga teacher. She traveled to Rishikesh, India to complete her training, and later became certified as an Ayurvedic Health Coach at Ayurveda World NYC. She gains inspiration from each of her trips, and continues to explore as much as she can.

Kat’s New York-based health coaching practice focuses on plant-based nutrition, food as medicine and natural remedies to help her clients achieve lasting health and harmony. Her drive to get to the root of any issue is what feeds her holistic approach to working with individual clients. And we’re here for the tips she share’s on Instagram – whether a recipe for an anti-inflammatory ginger tisane or guidance on meditative breathwork rituals.

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 Kat Heiberger.

Name three of your favorite hotels, anywhere in the world?

Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, Aguas Calientes, Peru.  Inkaterra a sprawling commune literally inside the jungle with hummingbirds flitting around outside your door. I also took a lot of design inspiration from this place: white walls, dark wood, soft velvety browns, shiny copper, bright pops of orange and red and lots of eucalyptus.

El Albergue, Ollantaytambo, Peru. This is a farm-to-table hotel in a quaint little village in the Sacred Valley of Peru where you can walk around the grounds, tour the farm and enjoy an authentic and very special pachamanca lunch outdoors. I don’t know what’s better, their local coffee or the mountain view from bed.

Ripplewood Resort, Big Sur, California. I mean Big Sur, in general, what a special place. This resort offers a series of log cabins right on the river. You can make a fire indoors and outdoors, go swimming, fishing and just take in the cool, crisp mountain air. It’s rustic, it’s simple, it’s a dream.

What hotel room design element can you not live without?

Wood-burning fire place in the bedroom. Once you experience falling asleep to the crackling of a simmering fire at the foot of your bed, you really can’t not put that on your “must have in my dream house” list. 

What are your travel wellness tips for staying healthy on the go?

Hydration! My number one tip is to drink more water than you think you need or than you even want to. I also try to keep up with as many daily, Ayurvedic rituals as I can while traveling (tongue scraping, drinking hot water in the AM before coffee, using essential oils, finding any place, any time to do a little yoga). Keeping up with the little things help a lot.

And then just let the rest go and don’t worry about eating all the croissants or having a bottle of wine at lunch. Wellness is also a state of mind!

What three songs are on your OOO playlist? 

Going Up The Country by Canned Heat. Meet Me In The Morning by Bob Dylan. And By The Light Of A Magical Moon, by T.Rex.

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

Essential oils. I always carry travel bottles of lavender (to chill out), lemon (to add to drinking water for internal cleansing & immune boosting effects), doTERRA’s DigestZen (a blend to help prevent digestion from being a problem), and a homemade blend of eucalyptus & tea tree (to help keep sinuses clear during cabin pressure). Oh and ginger chews – these also help with cabin pressure, nausea and boredom.

Have you or would you travel alone?

Yes! I would definitely and I have, sort of. I went to a remote town in northern India in 2017 to do my 200hr yoga teacher training. It was the first time I had ever traveled solo, and so far away! Of course I made friends with my fellow students once I got there but just making the decision to do it, preparing for it, navigating foreign airports and transportation and adjusting to a whole new world on my own was a big adventure for me. I think I learned a lot from that experience and would encourage everyone to step out of their comfort zone like that at least once. 

From most to least important, what do you seek in a hotel experience?

Comfortable, unique, close to things, architecturally intriguing, doesn’t break the bank, locals hang out there, has a pool, dope minibar.

Anxiety and burnout are side effects of modern living, how do you combat them?

The main way I combat anxiety and burnout is yoga. Even though teaching yoga has changed my relationship with it a bit, I still always, without fail, turn to my own practice whenever I feel stressed, confused, sad, overwhelmed (and all the in between). I didn’t have a huge AHA moment with my yoga practice but when I reflect back on it, I recognize that I would be a mess today had I not discovered it’s unique ability to help you silence all the noise.

And travel is honestly a close second. I think it’s essential for people to get out of their bubble, out of their comfort zone, see how other people live (the good and the bad). Travel gives you the kind of fresh perspective to which almost nothing else can compare.

Is in-flight wifi a good idea? 

Nah.

Lost luggage, or lost phone?

 Lost luggage.

Favorite travel app?

Units Plus! I’m so bad with conversions.

Read more from our Insiders series, here.

Los Angeles, Westside, by Safara

Written by Safara on .

Covering all of Los Angeles in one guide is, we’d argue, a disservice to the city. This is because LA is the equivalent of several small cities – who met, dated for a while, broke up, and are now as cordial as possible when they run into each other at yoga class. Which is why we’ve respectfully split our guides to LA up, so you’re not stuck in traffic on the 405 for hours.

From startups to tech giants, and emerging designers to established artists, the landscape of LA has certainly diversified in the last decade – though the backdrop of Hollywood and its entertainment industry will always reign supreme. Beyond that, what this part of the city is consistently known for is the excellent food, art and fashion.

Read on for our take on the Westside of Los Angeles.

Where to stay in Los Angeles, Westside

Palihouse, Santa Monica

With locations in Santa Monica and West Hollywood, Palihouse defines itself as “not a boutique hotel and not a luxury residence.” In other words, it’s the best of both. The Santa Monica location is three blocks from the beach, with gorgeous courtyards – and we particularly love the bar here.

Calamigos Guest Ranch and Beach House, Malibu

Set on a private ranch in Malibu wine country and with an exclusive beach club, Calamigos Ranch encompasses all of the best that Malibu has to offer. It’s just a short drive from the city, but when you’re there you feel worlds away.

Where to eat in Los Angeles, Westside

Gjelina, Venice

Though this spot is very much not under the radar, you should still go, because it’s great. Order the pizza, the mushroom toast, the squash blossom and burrata… or anything else on the menu.

Gjusta, Venice

Brought to you by the people behind the above Venice mainstay, plus their take-away shop GTA, and Japanese fusion spot, MTN, Gjusta is one of our favorites. Everything is great aside from the seating, which is usually taken at all hours of the day. Go anyway, and buy some peach jam to take home as a souvenir.

Rustic Canyon, Santa Monica

Jeremy Fox is a legend in the vegetable world, and Rustic Canyon is his flagship. This is everything you want in healthy, inventive Californian cooking. The menu changes daily based on what is in season, and their wine list is as good as the food.

Loqui, Culver City

There will be a line at this taco place, and there will also be a lot of people taking photos of their food. If you can move past that situation (figuratively and literally), then make sure to order the homemade flour tortillas. And as Loqui is located in The Platform, you can peruse the stores afterwards.

Father’s Office, Culver City

You’ve might have been to the Montana location, but the Culver City spot is bigger and better and hands down our favorite burger in LA.

Bay Cities, Santa Monica

This place does a great Italian sandwich. Pick one up to take with you for a day at the beach.

Where to drink in Los Angeles, Westside

The Lincoln, Venice

The Lincoln does a lot for us. It’s large enough for bigger groups. It’s loud enough for a good atmosphere, but not so loud that you can’t have an intimate conversation. The music is good, as are the drinks. It’s arguably the coolest bar in Venice.

Neighbor, Venice

Neighbor is technically a restaurant, but we have never come here for dinner. It’s the perfect spot to meet someone at 4pm on a Wednesday, when you want to chat over a glass of wine and maybe a small plate. The space looks like it was decorated by Domino magazine; ask for a seat on the patio if the sun’s out.

Hinano Cafe, Venice

This old-school Venice bar is not the place for craft drinks or cocktails, but great for a no-fuss beer after surfing, plus a burger if you’re hungry.

Where to get coffee in Los Angeles, Westside

Bar Nine, Culver City

Bar Nine is a beautifully minimal, industrial looking cafe in Culver City. They roast their own beans, pride themselves on sustainability, and offer all kinds of milks. Our order is a latte with hazelnut milk, and a pastry to go.

Primo Passo Coffee Co, Santa Monica

Right on Montana Avenue, Primo is one of our favorite coffee shops. It isn’t necessarily the place that you would go to work all day, but their coffee is great and you can buy a bag of beans to take home.

Rose Cafe, Venice

This Venice staple is always a good choice for an afternoon snack. Though you could go for a full blown lunch and be just as happy, we prefer to sit in the cafe area with our laptop, a coffee, and one of their homemade pastries.

Moon Juice, Venice

Moon Juice is our favorite juicery in LA. With locations in both Venice and Silverlake, we can’t get enough of their mylks.

Best bars for a date

Old Lightning, Marina Del Rey

Behind Scopa Italian Roots you’ll find Old Lightning. There is only room for about 30 people at any given time, which helps to keep this place hush hush. The rum and tequila cocktails are their speciality.

Blind Barber, Culver City

You’ve probably heard of Blind Barber, however, the team behind the “bars behind the barber shops” consistently make you feel like you’ve stumbled upon something no one else knows about. Even when they do.

Point Dume, Malibu

While Point Dume might be one of the more popular places, the staircase down to the cove is not. If you’re looking for a secret romantic spot, head down the staircase (it’s a bit of a trek, but totally worth it) around sunset with a bottle of Californian Pinot, and enjoy.

Where to shop in Los Angeles, Westside

General Store, Venice

This beautiful boutique in Venice carries a handful of our favorite designers and perfect CA inspired home goods. Pick up cedar-roped incense, or the perfect ceramic bowl, or a beautiful woven basket to hold all the blankets you’ll need when you are sadly no longer in California.

The Platform, Culver City

The Platform is an outdoor mall of sorts in Culver City. They have rotating pop-up shops that keep things interesting (previously hosting LA art gallery Tappan Collective) and mainstays like Reformation and Frida Salvador.

Christy Dawn, Venice

LA-based designer Christy Dawn opened her first bricks-and-mortar store here a few years ago. If you’re looking for the perfect boho dress to explore Topanga Canyon or Malibu in, you’ll find it here.

MedMen, Venice

Marijuana is legal to buy in California, and MedMen is the place to get it in upscale surrounds. They curate their selection carefully and though things are very focused on branding, they do stand by the products they sell.

Flowerboy Project, Venice

Part cafe, part flower shop, and part boutique, there are very few things you can’t get here. A dream store, really.

Where to buy gifts

Burro, Venice

Burro stocks good quality and well priced homeware, jewelry and books – for a stylish piece of LA to take back home.

Tortoise General Store, Venice

This place specializes in Japanese homeware and we wish we could buy everything – but usually settle for something that fits in our carry on.

Where to get a hit of culture

Eames Foundation, Pacific Palisades

Head to the Pacific Palisades to check out this landmark of mid-20th century modern architecture. The Eames House, or Case Study House #8 as it’s officially called, is some of his best work. Make sure to make a reservation before hand.  

The Getty Villa, Pacific Palisades

If we are being honest, we go here mostly for the villa itself, rather than the collection – for that, we prefer the Getty Center in Brentwood. The villa is basically what happens when a very rich oil tycoon loves art so much that he builds a “gallery” modeled after the most luxurious house known to the Roman world. It’s incredible.

Museum of Latin American Art, Long Beach

Yes, Long Beach is on the cusp of Westside Los Angeles, but we promise this will be worth it. The Museum of Latin American Art was built in 1996 and is the only museum of its kind in the US (there should definitely be more, but until that happens, let’s celebrate this one wholeheartedly).

Where to workout in Los Angeles, Westside

Go hiking

Los Liones trail will take you all the way to Topanga for a beautiful hike. If you’re looking for a short morning route, take Temescal Canyon trail’s basic loop which is about 2.6 miles. Or, if you’d rather a flat route, take a walk or a jog along Palisades Park in Santa Monica.

Love Yoga, Venice

This yoga studio offers flow, prenatal, restorative and more. The bright and airy studio is unmistakably Californian, with bright blue floors and lots of hanging plants hanging. Head to Superba Food & Bread for after class coffee and snacks.

Sweat Pilates, Mar Vista

These classes seriously kick your ass. We recommend starting with a “Classic” class, to get to know the basics, then work your way up. Most of the classes are on a reformer and some involve cardio, too. Good luck.


The best remote office in Los Angeles, Westside

Little Beach House, Malibu

We realize this is a very exclusive “office”, but if you are a Soho House member, or can get a day pass, this is absolutely the best place to work from. With a prime location right on the beach and an open air interior, you won’t even feel like you’re missing out on a holiday. Little Beach House have valet parking, a buffet at lunch, and in the evening, the music switches up the vibe – stay all day.

Groundwork Coffee, Venice

If you can’t get into Little Beach House, head over to Groundwork Coffee. It’s an LA staple with multiple locations across the city, and the Venice location is great. With long communal tables, healthy food for lunch, and power outlets, it’s an ideal remote office.

Superba Food & Bread, Venice

Superba is the kind of place you show up at 9am to get some work done and find yourself still there by 4pm. You can use your laptop for most of the day in certain areas, and the sunshine-filled patio is a nice place for a meeting.

What else to do in Los Angeles, Westside

Will Rogers State Beach, Pacific Palisades

This is a great, clean beach when you don’t have time to drive all the way into Malibu, but want to get away from the Venice crowds. Keep in mind that parking is tricky, but there are a few paid options to try.

Mercado Sagrado, Topanga Canyon

Mercado Sagrado is the craft fair to win all craft fairs. It usually takes place every November, so get tickets if the timing of your trip coincides. There’s a beautiful curation of design and art, plus music and food. The focus is on community, ethical commerce and wellbeing – it’s a feel good festival.

Santa Monica Farmers Market, Santa Monica

There are tons of farmers markets to choose from in LA, this is one of our favorites. It has all the organic produce you could dream of and great food stands, too.

Check out our guide to the Central / Mid-City Los Angeles, here.

Oslo: Five reasons to visit, by a luxury hotelier

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Andrea is the head of international sales at Nordic Hotels & Resorts, and previously director of sales at one of Oslo’s coolest boutique hotels, The Thief. As if that wasn’t enough, in her spare time she’s the co-founder of HER Oslo, the city’s branch of HER Europe – a global women’s network (which was co-created by Safara’s very own marketing head, Maya Poulton). If you’re looking for a reason to visit Oslo, Andrea’s guide to the city is it.

Part of our Five Reasons series, here you’ll find the most local of tips – from unique hotels to small businesses and secret spots (we trust you to keep these on the DL). Because, we firmly believe there’s no better way to get to know a place than when guided by someone who knows it best.

Read on for Andrea’s favorite places to eat, drink, stay, and shop in Oslo.

Name: Andrea Belck-Olsen 

Home: My favorite local area of Oslo, Grünerløkka

From: I feel like a citizen of the world as I have lived in multiple countries, but I am originally from just outside of Oslo

Job: Head of international sales at Nordic Hotels & Resorts, and Co-Founder of HER Oslo, part of HER global network

Five reasons to visit Oslo

The food

Skaal Matbar is well worth a visit to Oslo. Otherwise, my local favorites include Ostebutikken, a gourmet cheese store / bistro, and the cocktail bar 2TH.

The hotels

Stay at either The Thief, with amazing views over the Oslo fjord, or Amerikalinjen, right next to the stunning Oslo Opera House.

The Thief Hotel

Amerikalinjen

The shopping

I have so many local favorites including Luck Oslo, Sanatorium, Kollekted by and Ensemble. Or go to Ilums Bolighus and pick up a piece by AWAN. They make the most comfortable dresses, which you can wear both while lounging on your couch or out and about in public.

Photo by Homecoming

The thing to do

In Oslo, you can rent your own floating sauna and enjoy the Oslo fjord. It is definitely one of the coolest things to do in this city.

I also love to go for long walks, and can never miss my daily walk by the Akerselva river. It’s a great, scenic path with lots of cafes and historic spots along the way. Get a waffle and a coffee at either Raadeshagekafe or Hønse-Lovisa.

Akerselva River (Photo by Nick Knight)

The culture

Make sure to visit the privately-owned museum of modern art – the Astrup Fearnley Museum. It’s both indoor and outdoor, and conveniently located on the waterfront right next to The Thief hotel.

Read more from our Five Reasons series, here.

Hong Kong: Five reasons to visit Mid-Levels, by a travel entrepreneur

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Dervla Louli Musgrave is a travel entrepreneur and lifestyle journalist based in Mid-Levels, Hong Kong. She’s the founder of Compare Retreats, and so is our go-to for all things luxury wellness. If you’re planning a visit to Hong Kong, Dervla’s recommendations are well worth following.

Part of our Five Reasons series, here you’ll find the most local of tips – from unique hotels to small businesses and secret spots (we trust you to keep these on the DL). Because, we firmly believe there’s no better way to get to know a place than when guided by someone who knows it best.

Read on for Dervla’s favorite places to eat, drink, stay, and shop in Mid-Levels, Hong Kong.

Name: Dervla Louli Musgrave

Home: Mid-Levels, Hong Kong

From: Egypt and Ireland

Job: Entrepreneur and editor; founder of Compare Retreats; and lifestyle journalist

Photos by Dervla Louli Musgrave

Five reasons to visit Hong Kong

The hotel

The Upper House boutique hotel is my favorite home away from home in Hong Kong. A perfect evening begins with their signature Hong Kong Highball cocktail enjoyed on The Lawn, before feasting at Café Gray, followed by a lazy night in at one of their signature suites.

Upper House Hotel, Hong Kong

The store

Standout stores include The Armoury for men, and HULA for pre-loved sustainable luxury womenswear.

The food

For dinner, YardBird is the ultimate spot for great food, friendly staff and a brilliant buzz. For a drink, Please Don’t Tell is my favorite. It’s a speakeasy where you can get gin and tonic, with a side of caramel popcorn – delicious.

The thing to do

Hiking trails and beaches are abundant in Hong Kong and I regularly walk The Twins and Morning Trail with friends. Bowen Road running route is also a favorite.

Chi Lin Nunnery

The culture

For something cultural and spiritual, Chi Lin Nunnery is the most peaceful place. They have a cute gift shop, stunning Japanese Gardens and a vegetarian café that I was introduced to by my friend Chicco, founder of Fivelements (an eco-conscious retreat in Bali, for when you’re ready to escape the city).

Read more from our Five Reasons series, here.

Amsterdam: Five reasons to visit Oud-West, by a digital content creator

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Rebecca Laurey is based between New York City, Paris and her home in Oud-West, Amsterdam, where she shares beautiful snippets of her life, style and journey through motherhood with her 187k+ followers on Instagram. She’s an awesome content creator in her own right, but has also collaborated with brands such as Hermès and Armani as a social media and brand consultant, digital creator, guest designer and ambassador. And she recently founded her own digital creative agency, La Piscine.

Part of our Five Reasons series, here you’ll find the most local of tips – from unique hotels to small businesses and secret spots (we trust you to keep these on the DL). Because, we firmly believe there’s no better way to get to know a place than when guided by someone who knows it best.

Read on for Rebecca’s favorite places to eat, drink, stay, and shop in Oud-West, Amsterdam.

Name: Rebecca Laurey

Home: Oud-West, Amsterdam

From: Leiden, which is like a miniature Amsterdam, 30-minutes away

Job: Content creator and founder of digital creative agency La Piscine

Photos by Rebecca Laurey

Five reasons to visit Oud-West, Amsterdam

The food

Levain et le Vin has the best cinnamon buns in town. Fijnkost is on my street in Oud-West and is so underrated – it’s the cutest neighborhood restaurant, with the yummiest food.

Pillows Hotel

The hotel

The Pillows Hotel is reason enough to stay in Oud-West – it’s so cozy and extremely chic.

Gekaapt, Amsterdam

The store

I love the Gekaapt concept store. I usually pop in once a week or so, to see what’s new. Their kid’s store is pretty fun, too.

The thing to do

Oud-West’s Vondelpark has an entrance at the end of my street. It’s the greatest luxury – especially when you don’t have an outside area of your own. It feels like my really big backyard, that I just happen to share with other people. I go there every day and in summer, it’s the spot for a picnic.

Kahmann Gallery

The culture

The Kahmann Gallery is not actually in Oud-West, but it’s so good that it warrants a mention here. As we’re venturing out of the neighborhood a little, it’s also worth visiting the Stedelijk Museum, my favorite museum in Amsterdam.

Read more from our Five Reasons series, here.

Singapore: Five reasons to visit, by a comms director & travel editor

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Despite being from Sweden, Andrea Seifert has never really lived there, as she was brought up between South America, Asia and Europe by her nomadic parents. She’s the co-founder and director of Upcycle Communications, and now calls Singapore home. Which means she’s perfectly placed to give us a guide to the city.

Part of our Five Reasons series, here you’ll find the most local of tips – from unique hotels to small businesses and secret spots (we trust you to keep these on the DL). Because, we firmly believe there’s no better way to get to know a place than when guided by someone who knows it best.

Read on for Andrea’s favorite places to eat, drink, stay, and shop in Singapore.

Name: Andrea Seifert

Home: Sunny Singapore. I live in an area between Little India and Orchard Road, and work in Chinatown

From: Sweden, although I’ve never lived there. I was born to nomadic parents and grew up between South America, Asia and Europe

Job: Co-founder and director of Upcycle Communications

Photos by Andrea Seifert

Five reasons to visit Singapore

The food

Singapore’s Chinatown is packed with amazing places to eat, drink and be merry. I recommend Nouri for special evenings, because Chef Ivan’s creative fare, using produce from his farm in Malaysia, is always a treat.

The Social Space

The store

The Social Space on Kreta Ayer is a gorgeous little cafe-come-social enterprise. Head there to browse local and ethical brands, before taking a break from shopping with a cup of one of their lovely selection of teas.

The treatment

Hidden at the back of The Social Space is The Nail Social. It’s a peaceful mani-pedi spot that uses eco-friendly polish, and provides training and employment to marginalized women. It’s a divine sanctuary, whether you’re looking for some me-time or to catch up with a friend while getting your nails done.

The thing to do

Barre Lab is my go-to workout on Duxton Road. The studio has small classes and great instructors, who correct your form and keep you motivated –while reducing your thighs to a quivering mess! I also love the Nithya Priyan School of Yoga for its structured curriculum of yoga asana and alignment-based teachings by skilled yogis.

Thian Hock Keng Temple, Singapore

The culture

Telok Ayer Street is one of my absolute favorite streets in Singapore. A vibrant stretch of old-meets-new, you’ll find hipster coffee shops, packed bars, Michelin-star restaurants and antique hole-in-the-wall shopfronts, as well as places of worship and cultural heritage sites. The Thian Hock Keng Temple is the oldest Chinese temple in Singapore, constructed in 1839. Sometimes you’ll see the priest in his robes wandering along the road, which always feels a bit special.

Read more from our Five Reasons series, here.

Manon Lagrève – Founder of Manon’s Little Kitchen & Manon and Rose

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Raised in a small village in Brittany, France, Manon Lagrève grew up on a farm where food was celebrated as the core of family life. Manon’s culinary love was second nature, keenly watching her mother and grandmother cook every meal from scratch; from breads to biscuits, and of course, desserts.

At 20, she traded rural France for the lure of the big city and moved to London to work as an au pair, becoming fluent in English – and she hasn’t left. She fell in love with the wonderful array of bakeries, was inspired to share her own recipes, travels and life on her blog Manon’s Little Kitchen, and this led to her becoming a quarter finalist of The Great British Bake Off season 9.

Now, she’s expanded into responsible fashion, launching a small-scale, low-waste womenswear brand with her friend Rosie Spencer, Manon and Rose. Her Instagram feed is a delicious mix of baking, beaches and cute outfits – alongside her husband Luke and their baby girl Fleur. It’s the kind of wholesome, French-influenced life we’d all love a slice of.

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 Manon Lagr´ève.

Name three of your favorite hotels?

I stayed in the Japanese Alps in one of the Ryokan to enjoy a spa (Onsen) in Hirayu and it was one of the best things I have done. Total immersion into the Japanese culture and so worth it.

Camping in a yurt the middle of the desert in North Tunisia – it was a very much an improvised stay with my family, we got to spend the night there and woke up to watch the sunrise, and had bread cooked in sand for breakfast, which was an amazing experience!

Manon Les Suites in Copenhagen. I think it will take a long time for me to find a better hotel. There is this amazing pool in the middle of the place, some amazing plants, and an amazing breakfast.

Photo via Guldsmeden Hotels

What hotel room design element can you not live without?

A fridge, because I just love buying food.

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

Home, in the countryside of Brittany, France.

What three songs are on your OOO playlist?

Howl by Florence and The Machine. Someone That Loves You by Izzy Bizu + Honne. And Story by Xxanaxx.

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

A eye mask and some water (I probably drink three litres a day, and probably pee 20-times a day).

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

Julie Sarinana, from Sincerely Jules.

Have you or would you travel alone?

No, I love sharing my experience with someone and just find myself bored very easily when alone. I need to communicate and relate to someone. 

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

I love looking at travel blogs, I think it is always the best pieces of travel advises I had (only if I don’t know anyone that has been there). If you like the blogger in question and already related to things they do and enjoy, their travel recommendations should match in a way what you like.

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?

Iceland.

Beach, city or mountains?

Mountains.

Alone or with someone else?

With someone else.

Window or aisle?

Window. The best part of flying is looking through the window.

And, a recipe for travel snacks (or a treat, even if we’re not going anywhere)? 

My Ultimate Ginger Biscuits 

Ingredients

  • 400g of dark muscovado sugar
  • 200g of granulated sugar
  • 250g of salted butter at room temperature
  • 2 tbsp of golden syrup
  • 2 tbsp of black Treacle
  • 3 eggs
  • 2 tbsp of ground ginger
  • 1 tbsp of cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp of nutmeg
  • 600g of plain flour

Royal Icing:

  • 2 egg whites
  • 1 tsp of cream of tartar
  • 500g of icing sugar

Method

1. Make the biscuit dough: In the bowl of an electric mixer, add the sugars and the butter and beat for 4 min. Then add the eggs one by one. When everything is combined, add the golden syrup and treacle and mix well. Finish by adding the flour and the ground ginger and cinnamon and nutmeg. The dough will be super stiff, but that is good!

2. Bake: Take a quarter of the dough, and roll on a floured surface and start to cut the shaped desired. Keep the pieces in the fridge for 30 min before baking at 180 degrees for 18 min.

3. Make the royal icing: In the bowl of an electric mixer, add the eggs and the cream of tartar and mix until soft picks form. Stiff in the icing sugar and mix for 5 min. Add some icing sugar to make it thicker, and add some water to make it thiner, easy!

Happy Baking!

Read more from our Insiders series, here.

Palm Springs: Five reasons to visit, by a magazine editor

Written by Safara on .

Andrew is a Londoner living and working in Venice Beach, CA, and his dreamy Instagram is testament to his love of travel. As content chief for a magazine all about Californian culture and style, he’s our go-to guy for the Golden State, and beyond. If you’re planning a visit to Palm Springs, this is your guide.

Part of our Five Reasons series, here you’ll find the most local of tips – from unique hotels to small businesses and secret spots (we trust you to keep these on the DL). Because, we firmly believe there’s no better way to get to know a place than when guided by someone who knows it best.

Read on for Andrew’s favorite places to eat, drink, stay, and shop in Palm Springs, California.

Name: Andrew Barker

Home: Venice Beach, California

From: London

Job: Content chief at C Magazine

Five reasons to visit Palm Springs, California

The food

Start your day with brunch at Cheeky’s. Clock off with sundowners by the pool at The Ace. Book in for dinner at Workshop. And, go for a dance until late at Toucans. 

The hotel(s)

I’m torn, because I love how chic Two Bunch Palms is with its stone pool, but it might as well be in Tulum. There are more idiosyncratic options from a design standpoint, including Dive Palm Springs and Les Cactus, which are all botanical wallpapers and wicker chairs. 

Photos by Andrew Barker

The store

Angel Views is a thrift store where you can pick up salad bowls, paintings, and retro T-shirts. I’m not really buying ‘new’ unless I really need to at the moment.  

The thing to do

Take the cable car to the top of the mountain, where you have great views of the Coachella Valley. At the right time of year, you can hike in the snow in the morning and swim in a pool in the afternoon. 

The Parker Hotel

The culture

This is cheating, but The Parker Hotel is an institution. There is nowhere better to absorb the culture of Palm Springs as a tourist destination than here, in the early evening. 

Madrid: Five reasons to visit, by a jewelry designer

Written by Safara on .

Jessica is the founder and designer of Zahava Jewelry and The Brave Collection, a Forbes 30 Under 30, a wife to Patrick Yee (ex CMO of Refinery29), and a mother to young son Ezra. The family moved to Madrid a few years ago to follow the living abroad dream, and as new parents in a new city, they’ve got a super interesting take.

Part of our Five Reasons series, here you’ll find the most local of tips – from unique hotels to small businesses and secret spots (we trust you to keep these on the DL). Because, we firmly believe there’s no better way to get to know a place than when guided by someone who knows it best.

Read on for Jessica’s favorite places to eat, drink, stay, and shop in Madrid.

Name: Jessica Hendricks Yee

Where you live: Justicia, Madrid

Where you’re from: New York

What you do: Designer of Zahava, fine jewelry inspired by wisdom of the past

Left and right, by Jessica Hendricks Yee; centre, by Dina Kantor

Five reasons to visit Madrid

The hotel

Stay at the Urso Hotel –  my favorite boutique hotel in Madrid. You’ll get so excited pulling up to the doors, as the architecture is stunning and it’s on the perfect block. The lobby is the ideal place to people-watch, while enjoying some Iberico ham, and taking in the original Urso scent by candlelight.

Urso Hotel

The market

Just across the street from the Urso is our local Barcelo Market, which has tens of stalls, selling everything from fresh fish to meats and freshly baked baguettes. It’s a great way to get a sense of the local culture.

Pro tip: The organic fruit stall is killer, but you mustn’t touch the fruit! Point to what you’d like and the woman behind the counter will pull the perfect piece for you with her gloved hand.

The bakery

The most divine bakery is La Duquesita. This hundred-something-year-old spot looks right out of a Wes Anderson film, and everything they make is out of this world delicious (and beautiful).

The thing to do

Visit the wild peacocks in the sprawling and perfectly manicured El Retiro Park.

El Retiro Park, Madrid

The food and drink

Try the razor clams at Sala de Despiece, the coolest tapas bar in Madrid. They don’t take reservations, so come early and prepare to limbo under the communal table to get to a seat. Afterward, head over to the best cocktail bar –  Supernova. It’s a maze of tiny, impeccably designed rooms where you can sit, dance and sip. It’s chic as hell.

Read more from our Five Reasons series, here.

Florence: Five reasons to visit, by a brand strategist

Written by Safara on .

Emilie Hawtin is Editorial Director for J.Crew, plus a writer, editor and brand strategist. She’s a New Yorker, but travels for work a lot, and she credits Florence, Italy as her second home.

Part of our Five Reasons series, here you’ll find the most local of tips – from unique hotels to small businesses and secret spots (we trust you to keep these on the DL). Because, we firmly believe there’s no better way to get to know a place than when guided by someone who knows it best.

Read on for Emilie’s favorite places to eat, drink, stay, and shop in Florence, Italy.

Name: Emilie Hawtin

Home: West Village, Manhattan

From: New Jersey

Job: Brand strategy, writing, and editing in the style world between New York and Italy, mainly for J.Crew

Photos by Emilie

Five reasons to visit Florence, Italy

The bar

Let’s start as we mean to go on, with natural wine at Il Santino, a tiny bar that serves ‘cicchetti’ with every glass. Everything is delicious, as they have some of the freshest ingredients in Florence here. I’ll have their small plates as a meal if I miss the strict Florentine lunch hours, or feel like a light dinner. The staff are young and cool, too. Everyone spills out onto the street to drink wine and talk as the day progresses – it’s an atmosphere quite unlike anywhere else.

Trattoria Cammillo, Florence

The food

Trattoria Cammillo is family-run restaurant, where all generations work together to create a space that’s elegant yet relaxed. The classic dishes are done well here, but I particularly love the more unusual specials on the menu. Their risotto with curried shrimp is something I’d never expect in Florence, or the truffled eggs with mushrooms in the fall. I often dine alone here, or take people I care about – you remember every meal. A visit to Florence simply isn’t complete without dinner at Cammillo.

The cafe

Rivoire is one of my favorite places in the world. It’s popular, but I love to go early in the morning, walk across Piazza della Signoria and have cornetti at the counter. The cane chairs, wooden bar, silver capped bottles and formally dressed staff are beautiful to wake up to. If I’m feeling indulgent, I’ll sit for a little longer and watch the world pass by.

The thing to do

The Boboli Garden has an understated grandeur that feels natural and calm. I love the faded colors of the buildings amongst the greenery, faded mints and pinks that just strike the right notes. I often visit the porcelain museum at the top of the hill – the garden, fountain and stunning view remain in my mind all of the time, transporting me to Florence wherever I am in the world. 

Boboli Garden

The store

At Bottega di Corte you’ll find everything from old porcelain to tassels, maps, silver, vintage clothes, and chic Italian interior design that’s perfectl worn in. Dexter is another favorite, for the men’s shirts and lightweight pants that I end up wearing all of the time. The owner, Marco, has a true elegance in style and attitude. And, don’t miss the paper shops like Il Papiro, the Santo Spirito flea market, and the food markets. 

Read more from our Five Reasons series, here.

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