As a seasoned travel writer for publications including Harper’s Bazaar, Travel + Leisure, The Coveteur, Fathom, and Refinery29, plus the former US Editor of Mr & Mrs Smith, Amelia Mularz has seen more than her fair share of hotel lobbies. Discussing her travel adventures over a glass of something is always a delight.

Starting her career in New York City, Amelia worked her way up – from getting coffee for the bosses, to writing TV recaps and encyclopedia entries, to getting thrown into a photoshoot with a professional hot-dog eater (true story). She’s been a research editor for Vogue, NY Mag, HGTV, and The Knot. And currently, she’s one of LA’s resident freelancers, going wherever the copy takes her. She particularly loves writing for print (it’s not dead!), and as well as travel, you’ll find her penning words on lifestyle, wellness, and for branded content.

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 Amelia Mularz.

Name three of your favorite hotels?

Phum Baitang in Siem Reap, Cambodia for the setting. The rooms are individual wooden villas connected by planked bridges over a sea of rice paddies.

Zaborin in Niseko, Japan for the food and attire. Dinner each night is 11 courses of locally foraged deliciousness, and the hotel provides loungewear to wear during your entire stay.

The Native in Malibu, California for the people. I stayed for just two nights and still speak regularly to their general manager and sound bath practitioner (yes, I realize that was the most LA thing that has ever been typed).

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

Zaborin has an in-house matcha master who will teach you how to whisk the perfect cup. He’s basically a beverage sensei.  

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

I’ve always got my sleep pouch in my carry-on. This a silky bag filled with various sleep aids (I’m a really shitty sleeper). I’ve got the usual suspects in there – earplugs, a sleep mask, and Tylenol PM – as well as some more homeopathic items: lavender essential oil, worry dolls from Mexico, a piece of selenite crystal, and a photo of Lil Wayne sleeping on a private jet (for inspiration).

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

Dolly Parton, hands down. Just imagine the sequins, studs, and denim doo-dads you’d find in there. I bet even her suitcase itself is covered in sequins. And the wigs! I love checking luggage (packing light is seriously overrated), so I appreciate a woman who overdoes it. Dolly is definitely a more is more kinda gal.

Have you or would you travel alone?

I love traveling alone – you have free rein to visit every cat cafe and banana museum you come across without fear of judgement. Thanks to my solo trips, nobody has to know that I once fell in love with a bartender at a TGI Fridays in Paris.

What was your favorite room service experience?

When I lived in NYC, my mom and sister came to visit and we splurged on a room at the Plaza. We couldn’t bear the thought of leaving our ritzy digs, even for dinner, so we ordered a room-service meal of pasta, french fries, and charcuterie. We’d also seen Michael C. Hall perform that afternoon in Hedwig and the Angry Inch on Broadway and, because it was a decadent weekend all around, we’d even bought souvenir T-shirts from the show. As I shoved salami in my mouth and stared at the image of Michael C. Hall in blue eyeshadow stretched across my sister’s chest, I thought to myself: THIS IS HEAVEN. Spiritually, I now know that when we die, we head to the pearly gates and St. Peter is like: “Here’s your Hedwig shirt, cheese tray is in the back.” 

Who is your dream co-pilot or travel partner?

I was named after Amelia Earhart, so that seems simultaneously like the right choice and the absolute wrong one.

What is your favorite travel book?

Among classics, I love Joan Didion’s The White Album for her packing list on page 34, and her devastating essay on Hawaii. Among new works, I’m obsessed with Flights by Olga Tokarczuk for her beyond-inventive descriptions of airports and travel-sized toiletries.

What’s your favorite getting-on-a-plane outfit?

I have a T-shirt that’s white with large block lettering in black that just says, “NICE AS FUCK”. It’s actually a reference to the Jenny Lewis band, but I find that airport security really takes to the message whether they’re fans of the music or not.

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 you do it?

Wisconsin. I grew up in the Midwest and spent summers vacationing “up north” in the land of cheeseheads. It was those trips – swimming in Lake Delton, exploring the bluffs along the Wisconsin River, hitting up a water park or mini-golf spot – that sparked my love of travel. I’ve been lucky to visit some incredible places around the world, but I still dream of Wisconsin. So, if I were to open my own hotel, I’d want it to be in a place where the same family might visit year after year. I like the idea of worming my way into their family lore.

Is in-flight wifi a good idea?

No! You are defying every law of logic by floating 35,000 feet in the air, while eating pretzels and watching a rom-com. Don’t ruin it all by doing something responsible like checking your email.

Early check-in or late check-out?

Late check-out – gotta maximize my slipper/robe time.

Fantasy mini bar/fridge item?

I think it’d be cool to create a mini bar that’s an actual miniature bar – tiny neon beer signs, a little dart board, and a pint-sized sticky floor to go with those nips.

Read more from our Insiders series, here.

If there ever was a true Professional Traveler, Christina Pérez is it. Originally from the magical Great Lakes region, she has lived and worked in Brooklyn, Sri Lanka, Venice and LA – where she’s now based – and passed through countless other destinations.

Christina caught the travel bug as a teen model, leaving her home in Wisconsin to live alone in cities including Tokyo, Athens, London and Milan. After years on the road, she went back to school in NYC at Parsons, before starting her career in publishing. She has worked for Vogue, Departures, Harper’s Bazaar, InStyle, Elle, Self, Refinery29, Glamour, Condé Nast Traveler – we could go on.

And now, she’s heading up content and creative at Miss Grass, which sells “weed for the times”, aka premium THC and CBD products. When not extolling the virtues of conscious cannabis consumption, she is our travel encyclopedia – anything you need, she knows it.

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 Christina Pérez.

Name three of your favorite hotels?

The Grand Hotel Tremezzo. This is such a romantic hotel! It’s perched right on the edge of Lake Como and feels very old world and grand. I think the Violeta Suite is one of the prettiest rooms I’ve ever stayed in; the walls are pale pink and the furniture is yellow velvet!

Tourists. This is a new hotel in the Berkshires. It’s modeled after the roadside motels of the 1950s, but it’s not kitschy at all. Instead it’s grown-up and refined with a vaguely Scandinavian vibe: clean lines, blonde wood, and big windows that let in the gorgeous mountain views.

Verana. Most of my favorite hotels happen to be in Mexico and this one is just unbelievably magical; just a handful of very chic, open-air casitas tucked in the jungle in the hills above the tiny fishing village of Yelapa. It is hard to get to – you can only arrive by fishing boat, no cars allowed – which makes it all the better.

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

I love the sustainability program at Soneva Fushi in the Maldives. The resort has eliminated all single-use plastic, created its own recycling center, and grows fruits and veggies on its own on-site organic farms; even the surf boards are consciously sourced.

What hotel room design element can you not live without? 

It’s more a question of what I can’t live with than what I can’t live without! I really dislike seeing the glow of any type of machinery – wifi router, heater, exit sign, air conditioning unit, clock radio, or phone – when I turn off the lights in a hotel room. The best hotel rooms are designed so that there is near-perfect darkness when you turn off the lights.

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

My favorite way to “get off the grid” is to completely flip timezones; go somewhere 10 to 12 hours different from where you normally live. When everyone you know is sleeping, it’s a lot less tempting to scroll through Instagram or check your email.

You travel a lot for work, was this something you were seeking in a career? How do you make it as relaxing and fun as possible?

When I was in my late teens and early twenties, I worked as a model, traveling full-time between Milan, Tokyo, Paris, London, Hong Kong. I really loved the nomadic aspect of the job. Later, when I became a magazine editor – a dream job, for sure – I realized I really missed traveling. I also found the traditional 9-to-5 schedule really frustrating; I hated rushing to an office every morning just to sit in front of a computer. Eventually I made the scary decision to go freelance with the hopes of transitioning into travel writing. It took a lot of work and time to reposition myself, but eventually it paid off. Now I still spend a lot of time staring at a computer, but often there’s a beach nearby!

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

Silk eye mask, headphones, journal, pen, 8 Faces Boundless Oil.

Have you or would you travel alone?

I almost always travel alone. It’s the best! Everyone should do it at least once if not regularly. Traveling is about experiencing a new place and a new culture – but traveling alone is about experiencing a new self. Alone in a foreign place we are forced to confront our limitations, embrace our hidden strengths, and ultimately rediscover our true selves.

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

I know this sounds crazy, but I sort of like jet lag. It’s so weird, modern, and trippy, and, like all things, eventually it will end. I think you should embrace it. After all, you’ve just flown halfway across the world on metal wings – of course your body is freaking out! You shouldn’t expect to feel normal! Isn’t the whole point of traveling to feel something different anyway? (But if you really must get back on track quickly, melatonin pills really help!)

What is your favorite travel book?

Vagabonding, An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long-term Travel by Rolf Potts. He makes a compelling case for why you should not wait to travel until you’re retired or you’ve saved “enough” money – if you really want to travel, make it a true priority now. Take the money you’d otherwise spend on a few dinners or fancy jeans and buy a plane ticket instead. This philosophy really inspired me to change my career path and, in fact, my entire lifestyle.

Beach, city or mountains?

Beach.

Lost luggage, or lost phone?

Luggage.

Fantasy mini bar/fridge item?

Freshly squeezed lime juice, tequila, and triple sec for making margaritas.

Read more from our Insiders series, here.

Tonya Papanikolov is, in short, our wellness guru. After a few years as a fashion director at Holt Renfrew, she decided to ditch her desk job and go back to school for what she is truly passionate about: using food as an avenue to physical and mental health, and showing others how to harness the benefits. Tonya is now a nutritionist, plant-based chef, and founder of The Well Woman and Rainbo – a functional mushroom company that states it is on a mission to upgrade humanity with fungi!

A Toronto native, Tonya is a graduate of the Institute of Holistic Nutrition, holds a BA in Nutraceutical Sciences, and is certified in Reiki level II. Her Instagram bio adds “educator, earthling, yogi” to her list of professional qualifications, too. Though she calls Canada home (it’s also home to Rainbo’s sustainably grown mushrooms), Tonya has traveled around the world learning new practices, techniques and a deep understanding of alternative health culture. She has been featured in Cap Beauty, The Moon List, and Lived Planted, and is the authority we look to for all things wellness.

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 Tonya Papanikolov.

Name three of your favorite hotels?

Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur. Big Sur is one of my favourite places, and the hotel is gorgeous with stunning views.

IceHotel, Sweden. Because ice + hotel. It was the craziest, coolest thing ever.

Azulik, Tulum. Gorgeous architecture and spaces. Made with natural wood and branches. There is a beautiful ethos behind the hotel and community.

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

Stay hydrated! Especially on the plane – this will help with jet-lag, too.

I travel with oil of oregano and probiotics (ones that don’t require refrigeration). I also travel with Rainbo mushroom tincture to boost my immune system and stay protected on planes, in airports, and in hotel rooms with blasted AC.

Noise-cancelling head phones – the loud noise of the plane engine is very unnatural for the ears and body to be exposed to for long periods of time.

EMF protect yourself – with a necklace, sticker on your devices etc.

Pack your own plane food. I usually pack homemade hummus and vegetables, seed crackers, green juice, and fruit salad. I also make and pack a batch of granola or nut/seed/dark chocolate mix, store it in a mason jar, and keep it in my bag so that if I’m in a remote area while traveling, I don’t have to starve! It can be tough finding healthy, vegan food in many parts of the world.

A Keep Cup, or any eco-friendly travel mug and mason jar is a must-have so you don’t have to use a bunch of coffee cups.

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

The forest. I do this often and it’s the closest place I can go (from Toronto) when I need to leave the city.

You travel a lot for work, was this something you were seeking in a career?

Travel was absolutely something I was seeking out in a career. I knew after a couple years in an office job that it wasn’t the environment I thrived in. So, when I started my own businesses (The Well Woman and Rainbo), I knew that I would find a way to make traveling part of my work. It didn’t take too much more than having an idea, setting the intention, and following through with action, planning, and initiative.

Have you or would you travel alone?

Yes, absolutely! It’s so important for me to travel solo and I think the experience is important for everyone to have regularly. When you travel alone you are much more open to experiences and serendipitous moments with strangers. You’re more open to the world, you watch it, you’re able to follow your instincts and intuition more than if you’re traveling with others and trying to satisfy everyones agenda. I really love the adventure of it all.

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

I’d ask the Well Woman community via Instagram and also consult books and google. I have many saved boards and lists of places to refer to if I’m visiting somewhere new. I almost always, through a friend of a friend, find someone to give me insider tips, too. I’ve also created and saved many maps of new cities, and must-see places in them, that I share with people when they ask me for recommendations.

Who is your dream co-pilot or travel partner? 

John Lennon. We’d travel to India together, stay at ashrams, do yoga, head to the Himalayas with our yogi guru to meditate in the mountains and have deep philosophical conversations and eat delicious vegetarian Indian food. How epic!

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

I really loved an experience I had in Paris at Café de Flore. I loved their cappuccino but even more than that, I loved how much branding they had on everything. Spoons, coffee cups, tiles. Café de Flore was elegantly written everywhere. It was beautiful and it felt like I was in a special place, which I was.

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?

Oh I love this idea! I would open a wellness/eco retreat center in Patagonia.

Beach, city, or mountains?

Mountains (but near water).

Is in-flight wifi a good idea?

YES.

Airplane food?

Never.

Window or aisle?

Always window!

Read more from our Insiders series, here.

A California native, Georgia Zeavin has been braving winters on the east coast for more than 10 years. Following her stint as Executive Producer at Lemonade Creative, she branched out on her own as a brand consultant and creative producer for fashion and lifestyle clients in NYC, and has more recently become a Partner and Creative Director at Raduno, a studio specialising in food and hosptiality.

She’s worked with rad brands you may have heard of, like Goop, Virgin Atlantic, J.Crew, Negative Underwear, HBO, and more. And, prior to producing, Georgia was a brand strategist at Horizon Media and curated national partnerships for Gilt Groupe. Though her career has her working on everything from tablescapes to strategy plans, her true love is traveling with a pen and camera in hand. Georgia is passionate about storytelling and story receiving, equally, and finds that the best tales are told over a good plate of food in low lighting. Hard agree.

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 Georgia Zeavin.

Name your three favorite hotels?

La Reserve de Beaulieu in France for the wildly overpriced club sandwich and the immaculate attention to detail.

The Kamaroti Suites on Sifnos in Greece –  everything about the island was magic, including this boutique hotel.

Ventana Big Sur. I am a California native and getting away to Big Sur was a family favorite for us. I haven’t been back in some time, but it’s such a special place.

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

I just took a big trip to Peru. During my month down there, I trekked the Cañón del Colca. No cell phones, no wifi, just you and a truly breathtaking landscape. So far, that has been my favorite digital escape, but I have a few more “off the grid” places on my list for 2022!

Have you or would you ever travel alone?

Yes – a few years ago I did a big six-week solo trip in South America. I think if you are lucky enough to find the time, space, and means to travel for an elongated period of time alone – it’s incredible. The perspective you get from 30k feet, without the soundboards and the constant communication is invaluable. I’ll be writing a lot more on this topic soon!

What is your favorite travel book?

Hemingway always reminds me of my Dad, who was my favorite travel partner, so A Moveable Feast would have to be one. Recently, I read Donna Tartt’s A Secret History while traveling between Shelter Island, CA, and NYC. I’m a little late to this one, but I am a huge fan of her writing and this book is definitely one you can get lost in during those hours in transit.

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

The best cup of coffee I ever had wasn’t at a luxurious coffee shop. I was staying at a bed and breakfast in Jardin, a small town in the coffee country in Colombia. Every morning, our host would make a beautiful breakfast spread and coffee. Usually, the best coffee that is grown in this region is exported, but that’s slowly changing. Our host made us a french press every morning with freshly grown coffee, most likely from less than a mile away, infused with anise, cinnamon, cardamom, thyme, and panela. I have yet to taste anything like it!

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

First and foremost: dark chocolate. I am a chocolate addict so I need it on me at all times. EO Hand Sanitizer, three different chapsticks, my journal, Andalou Naturals Micellar Facial Wipes, one of four books I’m reading, and usually Porta 400 film and my Olympus Stylus Epic.

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?  

This is a really hard one. I have about six places that come to mind… but I might have to say Portugal.

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

For me, comfort is a huge priority. I can’t get on a plane in jeans. I usually go the athleisure route, and today it’s easy to feel put together and comfortable with brands like Outdoor Voices, LNDR, and Nagnata. Most of the time I’m in black on black, wearing leggings with whatever Nike sneakers I’m feeling, a cropped tank, and a Uniqlo zip-up. I get super cold on planes so I usually have a pullover handy as well.

Is in-flight wifi a good idea?

No.

Window or aisle?

Window.

Early check-in or late checkout?

Late checkout!

Lost luggage or lost phone?

Depends on what is in my luggage…

Read more from our Insiders series, here.

We are going to be really honest here: we have a major crush on Peruvian stylist Angela Kusen. She’s worked with photographers including Mario Testino, publications including Vogue (she’s a fashion contributor at Vogue Mexico) and L’Officiel, and brands including Adidas and Ayni. She’s also the curator of an incredible research platform about Peruvian Aesthetics, Poetic Visions, and founder of K.A Concept Store, which she describes as “a space to celebrate the new generation of Peruvian
and world talent creatives”. Consider us sold.

Though she calls Lima home, Angela lives part-time in New York and has also spent time in London, Madrid, Paris and Uruguay. She is always traveling for work, and has become very good at packing up her styling kit and landing in a new city ready to roll. Angela is passionate about collaborating with communities that work with ancestral techniques, and independent designers and artists working in a conscious way.

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 Angela Kusen.

Name three of your favorite hotels?

Kichic, Mancora, Peru. I absolutely love the design elements in this hotel. The indoors blend with the outdoors seamlessly, which is perfect for the climate.

El Libertador, Paracas, Peru. This is by far my favorite spa I’ve been to, and it’s so good that it makes El Libertador one of my top hotels.

Papaya Playa Project, Tulum, Mexico. I love eating lunch right on the beach and getting comfortable on one of their couches, or laying on the hammock looking at the ocean. The location is unbeatable.

What hotel room design element can you not live without?

Master switch by the bed and a good speaker.

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

Los Organos, Mancora in Northern Peru. It’s a short flight from Lima but feels worlds away.

You travel a lot for work, was this something you were seeking in a career?

My dream was to work in fashion or art. I work in fashion which, for me, is a global language and art form. It’s always reinventing itself and seeking new things. I feel there are no boundaries and being able to discover new cities and cultures through my work is a huge blessing. At the end of the day, travel opens up your mind to visuals from other cultures, and stimulates new concepts and inspiration. 

How do you make traveling for work as relaxing and fun as possible?

It’s hard, because when I travel I want to know everything about the place I’m in. In reality, I’m there to work. I try to stay super organized and separate the hours of work and play so I can properly turn “off” when I’m not on set. I also try to extend trips so I can get the work done first, and then relax after. 

What three songs are on your travel playlist?

God’s Plan, by Drake. Estamos Bien, by Bad Bunny. And After the Storm, by Kali Uchis

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

Headphones, pens, and a notebook. I usually use my plane time to write.

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

Honestly? Another fashion stylist! 

Have you or would you travel alone?

Yes! I’m actually very used to solo travel because of work. I like to have the freedom to do what I want in my own rhythm.

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

I love the meditation app Inscape.

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

Whenever I am changing timezones – I always make sure to get a good 8 hours of sleep on the first night.

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

A loose fitting, mid-length dress. You can put a sweater over it on the plane if you get cold, and dress it up quickly once you’re off the plane.

What’s most important for you in a hotel experience?

Architecturally intriguing,  design, location, has a pool, and comfort. 

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? 

It would be hard to choose, but I’d say Bali, Indonesia. 

Travel alone or with someone else?

Someone else.

Favorite subscription service you’ll never delete?

Spotify.

In-flight cocktail?

100% – I order wine. 

Read more from our Insiders series, here.

Maria Maleh is one those talented creatives across a lot of disciplines, the true definition of a multi-hyphenate. Most of the time, she is a professional photographer, content creator, art director and graphic designer. She loves to cook, and is very into skincare and beauty – we’re only wish we were cool enough to flip between bleach blond and bubblegum pink hair with as much ease. She’s also a proud cat mum to Miso, who has his own Instagram account, as any self-respecting pet should.

Maria has lived in London since 2011, but was born and raised in Sweden – combined, these influences have honed her eye for style and detail. She’s co-founder of Palmetto Studios, an art direction and graphic design studio that she runs together with her favorite person, Justin Moore. And one of her largest sources of inspiration is traveling.

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 Maria Maleh.

Being an avid social media user, how much are you on your phone while traveling?

Unfortunately a lot. I use it to navigate, take photos, and keep up with my emails and social channels.

What does your activity on Instagram look like while traveling?

I usually take a lot of pictures, but I don’t feel that I have to post them. I love when I can take time off from social media while traveling. You can always post later!

Do you plan your outfits before traveling?

I don’t plan whole outfits in detail, but I always plan what shoes to bring. That’s the most important for me. After that, my skincare products get the most attention. It’s very important to me that I bring all the products I need with me. Unfortunately this can make carry-on tricky at times!

What beauty items can you not travel without?

I can’t travel without my The Ordinary Squalene Oil, Glossier Invisible Shield, Glossier Stretch Concealer and Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask, they’re lifesavers.

What hotel room design element can you not live without?

It has to have an iron!

What three songs are on your OOO playlist?

The Sweetest Taboo, by Sade

Hold Tight, by Change

Candy, by Cameo

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

My cameras, beauty products, and a power bank.

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

It would be with Reese Blutstein, the creator and stylist from @double3xposure.

Best travel advice you’ve ever received?

Be prepared. Make lists, do your research and look things up, and pack in advance. There is nothing worse than leaving for a trip and feeling stressed. Not sure who this came from, but as a Virgo it makes sense that it’s my advice to myself.

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?

Thailand, for sure.

What do you ultimately get out of traveling?

Relaxation, good food and gathering as much inspiration as I can to bring home with me. A good tan is always a plus!

Beach, city or mountains?

Beach.

Lost luggage, or lost phone?

Lost luggage.

Airplane food?

Noooooo, thanks.

Fantasy minibar/fridge item?

Ice cream.

Read more from our Insiders series, here.

Victoria Ainsworth, or Tori to her friends, is a multidisciplinary marketer and e-commerce consultant. She’s spent the last 10 years working with startups, helping them develop unique brand identities and build meaningful communities. Her past clients include Negative Underwear and Maderas Village hotel. 

A Toronto native, Tori found her way to LA via NYC. After a long stint at GMR Marketing, Tori went to Nicaragua for what was supposed to be a break-away vacation, but turned into a long-term stay. She traveled around central America in search of calm, before making the decision to move to the US permanently. Now a Venice beach resident, Tori is getting used to the West Coast life. When she’s not at her laptop, she’s happiest on a surfboard with salt water in her hair and sun on her face – or, stirring up some trouble at Chateau Marmont, because as she says, “that’s just what you do there!”.

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 Victoria Ainsworth.

Name three of your favorite hotels?

The Harmony Hotel in Nosara, Costa Rica; Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood, California; and The Urban Cowboy in Nashville, Tennessee. I stayed at each of those hotels at a pivotal time in my life. They remind me of embarking on a new chapter, and of unearthing new and interesting parts of myself. (And I got into the best kind of trouble at The Chateau Marmont, because that’s just what you do there!)

What hotel room design element can you not live without?

Music. The rooms at Chateau Marmont have vintage record players. When concierge brings you to your room, all the windows are open and there’s a jazz record on. It changes everything.

What three songs are on your travel playlist?

Crazy Love by Irene Diaz; Season by Elder Island; and Pour Another by Nick Hakim. I like the moody stuff.

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

Oodles of chapstick and a journal.

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

I’d probably go back to Costa Rica. It’s one of my favorite places on the planet – the energy is intoxicating, and you feel so connected to the Earth. (I’d also really like to go on an Alaskan cruise!)

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

Someone with excellent taste in books.

Have you or would you travel alone?

I travel alone most of the time. Being alone has its perks – you don’t have to consult with anyone about anything, ever. You can just kind of… go. I’d really like to start a little family someday, and I imagine (and hope!) that we’ll travel together often. I try my best to take advantage of this time in my life where I can just be all by myself.

Best travel advice you’ve ever received?

“Don’t be such a wussy.” – An older gentleman watching me reluctantly get on a school bus in Guatemala.

Who is your dream co-pilot or travel partner?

My Nana. Because she was the best woman I’ve ever met.

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 you do it?

Panarea!

Alone or with someone else?

Alone.

Lost luggage, or lost phone?

Lost luggage – we always need less than what we packed.

Window or aisle?

Window.

Read more from our Insiders series, here.

Carissa Barrett is a Long Island-native who started out working on the NYC club scene in the 1990s, booking DJs for the TriBeCa and Soho Grand hotels (her parties there were pretty infamous). She then moved to San Francisco for a “break”, taking cooking classes at Kitchen On Fire (taught by Michelin-starred chefs), and learning about wine from master sommelier Peter Granoff. It was there that she realized her passion for scent.

After stints managing retail at Prada, Jimmy Choo and Saint Laurent, that same passion led to her current role as Vice President of Retail at Byredo. If you’re looking to switch up your Santal 33, Byredo is the one. As well as an olfactory expert, Carissa describes herself as a “connoisseur of restaurants, hotels, recipes and travel” – which, incidentally, are exactly the qualifications we look for in a Safara Insider.

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 Carissa Barrett.

Name three of your favorite hotels?

Mandarin Oriental Bangkok for the service; Soho Beach House Miami for the view and beach beds to relax; and the Hidden Hotel Paris for the room with the handcuffs.

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

T-shirts and a rain parka, found in the mini bar – so smart.

What hotel room design element can you not live without?

A “do not disturb” switch by the bed, so you don’t have to get up to put the sign on the door.

What are your favorite “offices” while traveling?

The beach at the Soho Beach House Miami, The Standard pool in LA, Dumbo House pool and lounge area in NYC, The Standard Miami pool, and the Design District outdoor cafes in Miami.

What three songs are on your travel playlist?

La femme a la peau bleue, by Maree Basse. Rearview Mirror, by Pearljam. And By the Way, by Red Hot Chilli Peppers.

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

This is a tough one because most hotels have terrible coffee, but in Morocco, it’s great – and La Mamounia has the best.

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

Always stay at a hotel with a beach or a pool to decompress every morning – even if you get only 20 minutes of sun, it helps with the natural vitamin D and leaves me feeling fresh. Soho Beach House Miami has both options so you can choose amazing pool or beach, I love it there. 

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

I always travel with a steamer, so that I can easily steam my work clothes (simple tip, but a super useful one, we think!). Good pillows and a great mattress are key- I always look for that in a hotel. Sometimes I call ahead to make sure they have foam pillow options, and enquire on the mattress situation- if I don’t like their answers, I don’t stay. Some hotels will make sure they have the foam pillows for me (and bring them in). The Hotel Therese in Paris always takes care of me, and Hotel 1898 in Barcelona does, too.

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

Nike track pants and zip-up hoodie, with a cool baggy T-shirt underneath. I don’t believe in wearing jeans on the plane – you get bloated up in the air, and they leave marks on your legs, so if you need a quick change to a dress or skirt for a meeting after the flight, you look terrible. Comfort first. I also wear my Saint Laurent leather jacket on top, to add my own style element.

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

Lady Gaga. I am sure her wardrobe is ridiculous, and I would be all over it.

Who is your dream co-pilot or travel partner?

My husband, because he lets me choose everything, and goes along for the ride, and in the end is super happy with the results. He is flexible and able to adapt if we get somewhere and decide to change the entire itinerary. 

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

Tons of places: Tripadvisor, Google to look at hotel websites and restaurants, local food apps (if applicable), Eater lists, Condé Nast articles, Culture Trip, and I ask people on social media.  No one option in my opinion is 100% – so I need to dig deeper to find the right information for my lifestyle.

Best travel advice you’ve ever received?

The best advice has been from other foodies that travel the world, if I trust you choosing my food, I can trust you with my hotels and other recommendations. But I also like to be independent, and look for the best restaurants myself. I research hotels and places to go for months, and I feel nobody else can do this for me – so I feel like I take people’s advice with a grain of salt, add it to my list, and then pick it apart to find what suits me best. 

What is your favorite travel book?

Life and Death on the New York Dance Floor, by Tim Lawrence Brooks, because it reminds me of my youth and my home.

What’s your favorite room service experience ever?

Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok.

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 you do it?

Turks and Caicos or the Maldives, or Lake Como in Italy.

Beach, city or mountains? 

Beach.

Alone or with someone else? 

Depends – usually with someone.

Is in-flight wifi a good idea?

Yes.

Lost luggage, or lost phone? 

Luggage.

Airplane food? 

No.

Fantasy mini bar/fridge item? 

Green juice.

Early check-in/ late check-out? 

Early check-in.

Favourite subscription service you’ll never delete? 

iTunes.

In-flight cocktail? 

Yes, champagne: Billecart-Salmon rosé.

Favourite travel app? 

One Fine Stay.

Read more from our Insiders series, here.

Joey Kotkins was one of the original Safara founders, before heading off to continue his tech-industry path at Brandlive, where he’s currently COO. Meanwhile, Rachelle Saletto is a brilliant interior designer, who has worked with the likes of Starbucks, We Work, and now Design Well Spent Co. Together, they’re one of our favorite power couples – and always a great source of travel tips.

The pair met when they were both living and working in Seattle, WA, and they now call London home. Though they love the UK, a huge reason they re-located was to be in a better position to explore Europe and beyond. From the French Riviera to Paris, Berlin and further afield, they’re in the process of ticking a lot of places off that list. And below, they’re serving romantic travel inspiration.

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 Joey Kotkins and Rachelle Saletto.

Favorite vacation to take as a couple?

Renting a car and getting lost in the Cote d’Azur. The food, wine, fishing towns, beaches, glamorous history, and dramatic landscape make it hard not to have an incredible time.

What would you say are the benefits of traveling separately from your partner?

Beyond “absence makes the heart grow fonder”, we like to share our new discoveries and play tour guide for each other on later trips.

Most romantic hotel? 

Anywhere in Paris, but maybe above all, the Hotel des Grands Boulevards where we stayed for our mini-moon. The little design touches make it the perfect amount of Parisian romantic, while maintaining a casual atmosphere. No cliché Louis XVI style here. The cosy bar is an ideal start or end to any date night.

Is going away together is an important part of your relationship?

We moved to London to travel more, and we’ve become big fans of weekend trips. We try not to stress and over-plan, preferring to pick neighborhoods to explore on foot, stumbling into random adventures. It always gives us something exciting and new to look forward to, and reinvigorates our love for our home city.

Must-have hotel room amenity when you’re traveling together?

We’re both a little too obsessed with fancy travel-sized bath products. I’m not sure what we’re going to do with all of the mini shampoos, conditioners, and body lotions we’ve collected, but we’ll figure something out.

What’s a must-have design feature for a romantic trip?

Rachelle is an interior designer, so this list is long, but lighting is on top. The Sir Savigny in Berlin does layered light well. Each room has a feature chandelier along with various floor lamps and table lights that allow you to get the lighting just right.

Do you have different in-transit preferences?

Joey likes to get to the airport early, and Rachelle prefers to walk through security and straight onto the plane. We’ve accepted this tension will persist forever.

If only one of you got upgraded to 1st class, what would you do?

Rachelle gets it every time. It’s an investment Joey is happy to make.

Splurge on the flight or the hotel?

Hotel.

Yoga or mimosas to kick off a trip together?

Yoga.

Pack together or separately?

Separately.

You know those people who seem to live the life that you dream about, traveling the world, while you’re still sipping your coffee and plugging away at a Google doc? Well, one of those people is Nicole Humphreys.

Nicole traded in her job at a non-profit in LA to move to Bali for the better part of a year, and she now splits her time between the two. Using Bali as her launch point, Nicole has explored much of Asia, and continues to preach the digital nomad life – which, of course, we are fully on board with.

It was in Bali that Nicole founded August Effects, which sells beach- and home-wares that are 100% hand-crafted by local artisans. Bonus point? Every purchase equals a donation to Bali Children Foundation. Her latest brand, Bandits Bandanas follows a similar sentiment, creating sustainably made bandanas that feature original artwork and support charities worldwide.

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 Nicole Humphreys.

Name three of your favorite hotels?

Aetas Glamping, Palawan, Philippines. One of a kind glamping experience overlooking the rice fields in El Nido, Philippines. The service is truly out of this world exceptional!

Four Season, Chiang Mai, Thailand. One of the most gorgeous hotels I have ever stayed in. The room was essentially a glamorous tree houses with unbelievable views.

Korakaia Pensione, Palm Springs, CA. A romantic, serene, gorgeous bed and breakfast with tons of special touches. Highlights are the incredible breakfast served on their patio each morning. Plus, the old movies they play outdoors every night, and the exceptional service.

What are your favorite “offices” while traveling?

In Bali, I am always on the go and work primarily out of coffee shops and co-working places. My go-to is called Dojo and it is located in the heart of Canggu, Bali, right next to Echo Beach. It is set up as an open-air concept with a bamboo roof overhead and a big pool if anyone needs a work break. They have an amazing café there to keep you well fed and caffeinated while you work. Every night Dojo offers different lectures,speaker, and activities for their members. The vibe is collaborative and everyone helps each other out. When you sign up, you join their Facebook group where everyone shares tips, apps, business advice, etc. Highly recommend the Dojo as your office if you pursue the digital nomad life.

A similar co-working place is Hubud in Ubud, Bali. The structure and vibe are incredible and the people are all amazing.

Lastly, my favorite coffee shop in Bali to work from is called Koloni. Great food, coffee, fast Wi-Fi, and comfortable set up.

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

The Philippines! I just went for my 30th birthday and it is the ultimate way to get off the grid and have a digital detox. This is because there is pretty much no Wi-Fi so you can’t be tempted to get on your phone. It is also a pretty difficult place to get to – think multiple flights, long car rides, boat rides to different islands, etc. It is worth it though. You feel like you are completely off the grid and forced to live 100% in the moment!

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

My August Effects bikini bag. It’s the perfect size for toiletries, noise cancelling headphones, my kindle, and my night shades (this is a must have for being able to sleep!).

Best travel advice you’ve ever received?

I am kind of adapting this question, as I learned a lot about the importance of packing when I went on Semester at Sea, and traveled to 13 countries in four months. I find it so helpful for all my travels that I want to share it:

“Focus on making sure you have all the toiletries you need to feel clean and stay healthy while traveling and don’t focus so much on clothing.” 

You can always buy more clothing wherever you are in the world, but it is difficult to buy essential cosmetics and toiletries in certain countries.  This made me realize that the clothes you do pack should be multi-purpose if possible. One of the things I always have in my carry-on is my August Effects sarong, since it’s lightweight and I can use it over my shoulders, as a blanket, or as a cover up.

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

Meditate. This is something I started doing a few years ago and it has not only changed my life, but changed how I travel. I use the app Headspace and do a 10 to 15 min meditation every morning right when I wake up.

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

Peloton Supershop. This is my favorite café/coffee shop in Canggu, Bali. It is fully vegan café with some of the most gorgeous, unique and delicious food I have ever had in my life. It also has my all-time favorite cup of coffee. I order the flat white with coconut milk. Pro tip: ask them for the large size (it is not on the menu!).

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

Location, comfortable, doesn’t break the bank, locals hang out there, unique, has a pool, architecturally intriguing, dope minibar.

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?

Gili Air! There are three “Gili” islands off of Bali that are around an hour or two boat ride. My favorite of the three is called Gili Air. It is tiny island that no cars are allowed on. People get around via bike or horse and buggy, and you can walk around the entire island in about 45 min. There are bars and restaurants that line the island and everything is right on the beach. I spent my 1-year honeymoon there at a tiny hotel that a couple from Europe opened. They have been there for 15 years now and have never looked back. This would definitely be an amazing place to live out the dream of opening a small hotel on a remote island!

Is in-flight wifi a good idea?

No!

Fantasy mini-bar/fridge item?

Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee.

Favorite travel app?

Maps.Me – it is a free app where you download a map of the destination you are headed to (do this when you have wifi). Then when you are at your travel destination, you can use the app without wifi to look up anything you need while there!