Let's Start Prioritizing Return Travel

Plus a few trips I’m dreaming of this year (including some recs you should definitely bookmark.)

As much as I hate to admit it, 2025 isn’t shaping up to be our year for travel. With so much on the horizon—moving into our unfurnished apartment in Paris (starting essentially from scratch), embarking on a new business venture, and more—travel is taking a back seat for now.

It’s a tough reality to accept because travel has always been a deep passion and source of inspiration for me. In seasons like this, I can’t help but feel frustrated. Anyone else relate? Our big trip this year will be a return to Austin for several weeks to visit family and friends, clear out our storage unit, and finally ship our belongings back to Paris. So while travel isn’t completely off the table, it’s happening more out of necessity than leisure.

As I reflect on the trajectory of this year, my thoughts drifts to the destinations I long to visit. In a way, this newsletter is a personal manifestation of those dreams, but I also hope it brings you a bit of inspiration along the way.

When I let my mind wander and considered where I’d go this year, within reason (otherwise, Japan or Mexico City would top the list,) I was surprised to realize that many of the places calling to me were ones I’ve already visited.

Part of me questioned these choices, prompting myself to pick places I’ve never been before; places “off the beaten path” as we’re so prone to prefer nowadays. However, as I delved deeper into self-inquiry I questioned why we’re so against visiting places more than once. Why once we visit a location, we simply check it off of our list and move onto the next.

I’m not sure if return travel would be categorized as part of the “slow travel” movement but I would argue that it is. While I’m a fan of the quick weekend getaway, if it’s up to me, I will always choose exploring one destination more intimately versus trying to squeeze too much into a trip just for the sake of seeing it.

When I travel, I desire to understand the location’s character, and I feel like that’s extremely difficult to do when you’re bouncing from one place to the next. While truly getting to understand a place and its culture may take weeks, months or even years, the longer we spend time dedicated to a location, the more evolved its sense of place becomes to us.

Inevitably, we will all perceive places differently based on our personal lived experiences, biases, preferences and more. However, the longer we linger in a location, the clearer the essence of the place can become. We develop our go-to neighborhood spots, recognize the streets on the way back “home,” and most of all, have a stronger overall sense of what the place is.

We hear stories of people who have visited every country in the world, and while I do recognize it’s a notable accomplishment, I simultaneously believe that even if I don’t explore every country on this earth, if I can experience a handful of them with intention, connection and understanding, that would be more than enough for me.

I’ve been to some amazing locations in my life so far, many of which I visited years ago that I wish to return to and acquaint myself with on a deeper level. And instead of telling myself to “pick somewhere new” I will make it a personal mission to start prioritizing return travel.

So, in spirit of this mission, here are a few destinations I’m dreaming of (re) exploring this year:

COPENHAGEN: I traveled to Copenhagen as a university student on an organized trip with my international politics class. Did I get to see a unique side of Copenhagen? Definitely, but it wasn’t a trip I would’ve personally curated for myself, especially nowadays where I dream of a more creative and design-led experience.

If there’s one trip I’m really manifesting this year, it would be a visit to Copenhagen with my husband and without the little ones (love you kids, but I want to fully enjoy the city. Side note: we haven’t taken a trip sans-kids since before our daughter was born 5 years ago. I’m thinking it’s time!)

ON THE WISHLIST:

• A stay at Audo House, a design-forward, hybrid space that includes a residence, concept store, showroom, and cafe.

• Morning coffee and breakfast at Juno the Bakery, Atelier September, and alice (just a few amongst the plenty.)

• Visits to Louisiana Museum of Modern Art and Copenhagen Contemporary

• Shopping at Frama, New Mags, and Tage Andersen (a Danish florist who hand makes beautiful creations like the Foldevasen which I was recently gifted and love so much.)

VENICE: A place I’ve visited twice, yet only scratched the surface, I know there’s so much more to experience. From gelato by the canals, to browsing beautiful glass creations, I find myself daydreaming of leisurely exploring the city and all it has to offer.

ON THE WISHLIST:

• A stay at the gorgeous Cima Rosa Bed & Breakfast, located on the Grand Canal, featuring classic design and a dreamy courtyard.

  • I previously stayed at the Gritti Palace which is definitely a bit of a splurge, but such a quintessential Venetian experience.

• Morning coffee from caffe del doge, bites and wine from la sete, and gelato at bacaro del gelato.

• Visits to Peggy Guggenheim Collection and Tintoretto Scuola Grande de San Rocco

• Shopping at bruno bookshop, YALI glass, and Chiarastella Cattana

BARCELONA: I was a sophomore in high school on a family trip the last time I visited this city. While I still have vague recollections of roaming the streets of the Gothic Quarter with my sisters, or dining at Bar Brutal, many moments of this trip feel like a distant memory. So, next time I find myself in Barcelona, here are the places I’ll be visiting.

ON THE WISHLIST:

• A stay at Margot House, Casa Bonay or Hotel Casa Saginer

• Morning coffee, pastries and breads from Lot Roasters, T.44, and Origo Bakery

• Tapas and wine from Bar La Camila, El Xampanyet, and Tatika Berri

• Shopping at Cereria Subira for candles, Arquinesia Perfumes, and Llibreria Terranova

• Visits to Casa Vicens Gaudi, Picasso Museum, and Casa Batllo

I’d love to know your thoughts on return travel and some destinations you feel called to re-explore!

Until next week,

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I will be (co) hosting two creative retreats in Paris this fall, both with very limited spots in order to keep the group an ideal size for open conversation, discovery and co-creation. Please join the waitlist to be the first to know more details!

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