Zach Para – Drummer for City of the Sun
Zach Para is the drummer for Brooklyn-based band, City of the Sun. You might have seen him on stage at New York music spots Brooklyn Steel and The Troubadour, or playing events around town for brands like Chloe and Vans during fashion weeks. Or, you might recognise him and his bandmates from Billboard Mag articles or various partnerships with Gilt , Sunglass Hut and Ilegal Mezcal. Those boys are always busy.
Hailing from Seattle, Zach Para found his way to NYC via Boston, where he graduated from New England Conservatory. Since then, his music has taken him everywhere from Brazil to Spain, Indonesia and back again. He has learned how to get creative when it comes to packing a bag with stuff needed for five different climates, and somehow managed to look good no matter where he steps off the plane.
City of The Sun is one of Safara’s favorite bands to include on our travel playlists (shameless plug to head over to our curated Playlists page). Of course, we asked Zach to create a playlist for us, too. And, we’ve gathered his intel on his home city for our Seattle guide.
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 Zach Para.

Name three of your favorite hotels?
The House, Athens, Greece. A quaint hostel feel with great rooms that are inspired by the Greek Islands. The rooftop has hammocks and plant life that take you away from the bustling city life below. I’m pretty sure you can share rooms, but the private ones are perfect for a few nights going out in Athens.
Museum Hotel, Nashville, USA. Who wouldn’t want to walk through a tasteful, modern art museum after a long night out in Nashville? Rooms are spacious with high ceilings and attractive stone walls. And the fitness center felt like I was walking into a spa.
Hotel Unique, São Paulo, Brazil. Stunning modern architecture, amazing views of the city scape, with one of the best rooftop bars/restaurants I’ve seen.

What hotel room design element can you not live without?
Lots of sunlight. The bigger the windows the better.

What are your favorite “offices” while traveling?
My “offices” usually consist of recording studios, stages and practice rooms, but when I need to get some computer work done, I would say the pool/spa at The Standard Hotel in Miami Beach. Not a bad place to hang with your laptop.
Where would you go for a digital detox or just generally to get off the grid?
Uvita de OSA, Costa Rica or Lake Chelan, Washington. I have family in Costa Rica with a gorgeous Airbnb by the ocean. The gardens are a perfect place to disconnect. Lake Chelan is a special place for me. My dad’s family has had a cabin there for generations. You literally have no cell service unless you head into town, so it forces some peace.

What three songs are on your travel playlist?
Yeahnoh (Powe Handa Blingabe), by Kondi Band. Cloak by Jordan Rakei. And It’s All Over by Pionel.
What are your favorite travel hacks?
When flying, try not choosing your seat. It’s a gamble, but on the right flights they’ll upgrade you simply because they are the only single seats left on the plane.
What do you always bring with you in your carry-on?
Sennheiser headphones and a MIDI keyboard.

Have you or would you travel alone?
Definitely. I’ve traveled solo to Zakynthos, Greece and it was great. It gives you the space to focus on yourself and truly tune out the noise.
Who is your dream “co-pilot” or travel partner?
It would be Anthony Bourdain, hands down.
Travel can be about the little luxuries, like an amazing cup of coffee. Where was the best one you’ve had?
Xi’an, China at Lubai Farm Wu. It’s a tea farm and I had a cup of freshly dried Pu’er tea straight from the source.
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?
Sifnos, Greece.

Beach, city, or mountains?
Beach!
Fantasy mini-bar/fridge item?
Kombucha.
Early check-in or late check-out?
Late check-out.
Along or with someone else?
Someone else – if I can choose who that someone is.