From Morocco to Hawaii to Italy to Japan (and then some), our team has done a fair share of globetrotting. We’d love to share our top trip tips to get you inspired for your upcoming travels. Check them out below!

SHEA

Do you have a planning style?

I never have an itinerary that I have to follow, but I do always like to have options of eateries, coffee shops, museums, hikes, etc. in my back pocket a day or two before visiting. Having these options helps me to not waste precious time planning once I’ve arrived. Most of all, it also allows for detours, which I love to take. I’m also a fan of public transportation (trains!) because you can plan in between locations.

What are 3 items that you always travel with?

1. iPad Pro: This is a lovely tool for quickly sketching ideas and capturing color palettes.
2. Disposable toothbrush: As the daughter of a dentist, I’ve always valued dental hygiene. These little disposable toothbrushes are refreshing on a long flight or after meals when you’re on the go.
3. Comfortable walking shoes: Walking is a huge part of travel for me, so it’s key to find a good pair of orthopedic shoes that are also fashionable!

Which place would you return to in a heartbeat?

JAPAN!! Specifically, Yakushima Island. You have to travel to the southernmost tip of Japan and then take a ferry or small plane to get there, but it’s so worth it! Gorgeous waterfalls, misty mountain hikes, indescribably delicious fresh seafood, artisans who create sugi (cedar) sculptures and just the loveliest people.

SHANNON

Do you have a planning style?

I love an itinerary as a part of the planning process. I don’t necessarily have to live by it once I get to my destination, but I do like to color-code and highlight when planning a trip just to make sure I hit everything I want to do! I’m also the planner of my friend group, so if I don’t have anything lined up who knows where we will end up! On the other hand, sometimes the best plans are no plans – that’s usually never been my case but I definitely support a spontaneous adventure every once in a while.

What are 3 items that you always travel with?

My mom always taught me to pack half of what I think I need and twice as much money! But if I had to pick three items:

1. A reusable water bottle: I learned this one traveling with Scarlett! Skip the lines and overpriced airport water bottles and keep an empty bottle in your bag. As long as it’s empty you can take it through security, and it’s super convenient if you don’t have time to stop between flights. Also, hydration is the key to surviving any full travel day.
2. Sheet masks: Speaking of hydration, traveling will suck the life out of your face. Being the self-care guru that I am, I always pack a few extra sheet masks to keep me and my face hydrated after traveling.
3.  Headphones: Never leave home without them! From phone calls to movie watching on a long flight, I never want to forget these. And thanks to Apple, I have to pack my AirPods for my phone and regular cord headphones for my iPad or TV on the plane – all worth it to keep me entertained for those long flights!

Which place would you return to in a heartbeat?

Paris, France will always have my heart. My husband surprised me with a trip for Christmas after hiding a postcard in our Paris coffee table book. Between the romantic energy, unbelievable architecture and mouth-watering food, what more could you ask for?

LAUREN

Do you have a planning style?

My planning style is to do a lot of research, which is hilariously aligned with my design style and process, now that I think about it…I am who I am: A research nerd. Months before departure, you’ll find me deep diving on Pinterest travel blogs to learn about the sights worth seeing, loading up the Duolingo app to learn some local words and phrases, reading books and watching documentaries to learn all about the culture and Googling lists of the top places to wine and dine. I love to know it ALL!

I know it’s not for everyone, but I get so much joy out of trip planning. I think it’s because A) I genuinely love learning, so diving into a culture makes me happy, and B) It builds up my excitement leading up to the trip! It’s nice to have things to look forward to, and I also like to know if I am missing anything. If there is a life-changing dessert down the street from a museum I plan to visit, I definitely want to know about that! But also, I do believe in the beauty of spontaneous moments, so while I like to do my due diligence, I am not a minute-by-minute spreadsheet kind of gal. I’m more like a loose itinerary with very well-researched ideas of how we could spend our time kind of gal. Because, balance. ☺

What are 3 items that you always travel with?

1. Perfume: Years ago I started a tradition where I wore a specific perfume for each trip. Sometimes I buy the perfume before arriving and pack it with me, sometimes I buy it when I am there. I like to associate smells with memories, so assigning a “signature scent” to each trip is my fun little way of doing that. And yes, in case you’re wondering, they are always on theme with the destination!
2.  Scarf: For long trips, I always travel with a big scarf. I like the flexibility of a scarf because you can use it as a blanket if you get cold, roll it up into a pillow, or cover your face if your neighbor’s screen is too bright. And I find that they are generally less clunky to carry around than a sweater.
3.  Tech: I am going to cheat a little on this answer by using “tech” as a catch-all term, because let’s be honest, there are quite a few tech items I always bring along! I need my phone for taking photos and pulling up maps (I download them ahead of time so they are available even when Wi-Fi is not), headphones for travel entertainment (podcasts, movies, music), iPad for drawing/watching shows and my Kindle so I can curl up and read. Need ‘em all!

Bonus: Packing cubes = game changer.

Which place would you return to in a heartbeat?

Barcelona! I went when I was a teenager and I loved it. The food, the architecture…All of the energy of Spain, but in a coastal city with unique, artistic flair. I was completely intoxicated by it all! I often think about how much more I would appreciate it now that I am an adult (¡hola, vinos españoles!), so I would love to venture back someday.

LIZZY

Do you have a planning style?

Yes, but it’s very minimal. I don’t love traveling with a minute-to-minute itinerary because it leaves little room for spontaneity. At most, I’ll book a hotel or Airbnb and then plan maybe one “must do” per day. This gives me just enough structure to get the day started and the rest is left to wander. I also usually collect recommendations from friends and do a little research on the best thrifting or antique stores in the area, just in case spontaneity doesn’t find me.

What are 3 items that you always travel with?

1. A disposable camera: There’s really nothing like a bunch of goofy candids and architecture shots to commemorate a trip. Getting them developed and flipping through the photos is almost as good as the trip itself. Plus, it’s really refreshing to me to take a photo and not know how it turned out until a few weeks later; there’s no pressure to re-pose and take a “better” one that said, I still take a TON of iPhone photos too!)
2. A specific deck of cards: Perfect to pass the time on long train rides, waiting in airport terminals, or over a morning espresso. My partner and I usually play Rummy when it’s just us, but we’ve met new friends while shuffling the deck in cafés and restaurants and have learned countless new games. Although I collect them, this particular deck has traveled with me to almost every country I’ve been to. Once we wrap up a game, I ask everyone to initial a card and write the country/city and date.
3. My mom’s Levi’s denim jacket: It’s perfectly worn, perfectly oversized, and has four massive pockets to fit those travel essentials I need to keep close. My mom bought it before I was born and has worn it to Turkey, Egypt, Greece and who knows where else. It’s nice to have a piece of her adventurous spirit with me, even though she’s just back home!

Which place would you return to in a heartbeat?

Without hesitation it would be Florence, Italy. I’m not sure if it was the beauty of the city, the history, the food (!!!) or the connection to my heritage, but I knew one day I would live there. All these years later, that is still very much the plan.

SCARLETT

Do you have a planning style?

To not plan. I think because I do so much planning and managing in my professional life, I can’t handle it in my personal life. Also, since I fly on a buddy pass so frequently, the less planning I do the less disappointed I am if we have to change destinations. For trips where I do have a confirmed ticket, the most planning I do is to actually book the ticket, select a hotel and determine the one to two must-do activities. After that, you leave the adventure to the travel gods, and I have to say, they’ve yet to lead me astray.

What are 3 items that you always travel with?

1. My laptop: Since I so often participate in travel roulette, I am not guaranteed to get home when “planned.” Knowing that I have my computer with me means that I can work from anywhere and not have to feel stressed out about making it back to the “office” to get work done.
2. My iPhone: I know snooze, laptop and then phone. Predictable and boring! But hear me out. For starters, I rarely (if ever) pay for out-of-country service, which means my phone doesn’t really function as a phone when I travel. Instead, it is my always-at-the-ready camera, used to “steal souls” as my friends say, and capture the essence of the people and the small details that define a place. And when it’s not snapping up moments, it’s my compact bookstore and journal.
3. A black, cotton, knee-length tank dress: This dress has been to six continents. It packs perfectly, never shows dirt, can be dressed up or dressed down, can be worn at the equator or in the Alps and fits every body type.

Bonus: I’m not of the Christian faith, but 15 years ago I was gifted a St. Christopher medal by the father of one of my best friends – he thought my adventurous soul needed more protection. To this day, I carry the medal in my glasses case every single place I go.

Which place would you return to in a heartbeat?

Travel is such an essential part of my life that the goal has always been to continuously explore. However, there are those places that hold a piece of my heart, and given the opportunity, I wouldn’t simply return to, I’d move to in a heartbeat:

• Lisbon, Portugal: The culture, the food, the art, the people – all of it is warm, refreshing and delightfully welcoming.
• Paris, France: Wine, cheese, joie de vivre…do I need to say more?
• Melbourne, Australia: As one of my hashtags once said, #Australiaisalwaysthebetteroption

KAREN

Do you have a planning style?

I do love a good ole fashioned travel guide. Something I can dog-ear and flip through when we’re waiting on a train or flight. Does it make me scream tourist in faraway places? Probably, but I can’t say it stops me! Typically we make sure our hotels are booked and put together a loose itinerary but typically we’re pretty fluid with our adventures. We also like to do a lot of outdoor activities (think hiking, biking, beach) so often watch the weather and adjust accordingly. I have driven to find sunshine on a trip before!

What are 3 items you always travel with?

1. Camera: I painstakingly make photo books every year so some high quality pics are a must if we’re traveling.
2. Water bottle: Gotta stay hydrated while hiking, biking or, ahem, drinking There are a number of places I’ve visited that required buying bottle water but when possible, I try to be kind to the environment.
3. A journal: I have the memory of a goldfish on a good day so when traveling, I like to journal in my down time.

What place would you return to in a heartbeat?

With kids, Italy. We travelled there when my oldest was a little less than two and it was such a fun kid-friendly adventure. Pasta, gelato, beaches and plenty of pigeons to chase.

Without kids, Thailand. I’d head back down to the Railay Beach for rock climbing, beaches and amazing Thai food.