We all have a favorite souvenir. Do you collect any treasures when you’re away?
Favorite souvenirs? Tough question. I am a big shopper, and I like to support local designers and small businesses wherever I go. I have bought jewelry in India; fabulous cotton slippers in Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar; more jewelry, along with pieces of art, from Charleston. I like to display these things throughout my home: I have a raven wood carving from South Carolina-based Blaise Loreau, as well as a beautiful straw basket from the Bahamas hung over a door knob as a sculptural piece. I’m definitely a maximalist: sometimes I move things around just to bring new colors out. I usually find that when you don’t buy something on a trip, you think about it as soon as you get home–and regret it. Another favorite of mine? A great hotel gift shop. If done well, there’s something unique about the level of curation and personality or flair behind the choices.
What are your helpful travel resources to recommend to someone who is planning a trip (including T+L, of course).
Travel + Leisure is a great resource for all things travel–best hotels, flight deals, seasonal tips. I also just love looking on TikTok and Instagram for individual creators to see where they might be headed next in the world–particularly fashion designers.
NYC is home. Describe a perfect Sunday in the city with your go-to spots.
The perfect Sunday to me is reading in bed for a good few hours, then hitting the gym for a dance class, maybe trying a new restaurant with my family. If it's football season we usually have the Giants or the Eagles on in our living room. And then watching 60 Minutes or some sort of evening programming before an early bedtime.
In your opinion, what’s the most underrated city that should be on everyone’s travel list but isn’t...yet?
I really enjoyed visiting Vancouver this summer. It was my second time there, and I was so impressed by the proximity to water and nature–and the food. Locals really embrace an outdoor lifestyle.
What are your tips for managing a busy travel /work schedule?
Everyone has different organizational styles…I like to go through my email first thing in the morning, before I get into the office. I’m not a zero inbox person, but I am ruthless about deleting things when a project has been completed, so I can feel that I moved on. Deborah Szekely, the 102-year-old founder of Rancho La Puerta and a true wellness pioneer, gave me great advice once: it’s important to have two hours of unstructured time a day. I also like to use time on a plane to read up on relevant global topics and issues, to feel connected. And yes, watch the occasional movie.
In your words, why is travel important to personal development? What advice do you have to young people who want to travel more?
Travel, quite simply, exposes you to new ideas and people and philosophies. It fundamentally shapes and changes you, and I believe, makes you a stronger, more resilient and tolerant person. Every trip, close to home or far, far away, can have an impact.