As the Head of Editorial Partnerships and Brand Marketing at Vogue, Negar oversees all aspects of the magazine’s promotion – from the September Issue to collaborations with rad brands like Nike and Comme de Garcons.  She has lived in downtown Manhattan for the past 14 years, and is grateful for her Chicago roots and Persian values in keeping her grounded and kind. Surfing, family, and friends are her top three favorite things, and she balances her busy career with regular (& sometimes rogue!) surf trips with her best friends.

Follow Negar Mohammadi on Instagram @negarmoh

Name 3 favorite hotels off the top of your head!

The Edition Hotel in Miami, Hotel Costes in Paris, and Le Sireneuse in Positano.

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

Santa Teresa, Costa Rica. Everything you need is there (surf, delicious food) and the best friends you’ll make are in the water where there is no wi-fi.

What 3 songs are on your OOO playlist?

Gypsy by Fleet Wood Mac, Night Moves by Bob Segar, Wild Thoughts by Rihanna and DJ Khalid.

What is your most used travel emoji?    

Surfing girl emoji. 

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

Silk eye mask by Slip. Doesn’t matter where you’re staying, once you shut your eyes – you feel like you’re sleeping in luxury.

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

Kim Kardashian — Wait, actually Kourtney. I’m closer to her size.

Have you or would you travel alone?

In a world where you’re always on someone else’s schedule, nothing is more luxurious than having the freedom to do what you want, when you want.

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

Instagram!

What’s your favorite room service experience ever?    

French fries at the Hotel Martinez in Cannes — they arrive in the most elegant silver bucket. The presentation pretty much negates all calories.

Best Travel advise you’ve ever received, and from whom?

From Maya (Co-Founder of Safara!) – she encouraged me to travel alone with an open mind and agenda, letting the universe surprise me with its magic.

Anxiety and burnout are big topics these days. How do you combat them, and how do you use travel to do so?    

I make sure to have a trip planned every 6 weeks (hoping to make it once a month). The excitement and anticipation are enough to light me up and help push me through anything. The moment I get on a flight or arrive somewhere new, I feel an immediate wave of happiness that washes away any anxiety or feelings of burnout.

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

Instead of napping when I land, I move my body any way I can – be it a run, or even a set of jumping jacks and other 80s aerobics moves in whatever space I have. Otherwise, I drink tons of water and do anything it takes to get on the local schedule.

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

Double espresso from Cala di Volpe in Sardinia. Served with a perfect square of gianduja chocolate.

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

Black skinny L’Agence jeans, black James Perse v-neck, Common Projects pink sneakers with a big black cashmere sweater – as I’m always freezing on flights. The L’agence jeans have so much stretch in them, they feel like yoga pants.

Rank the following, from most to least important to you, re: what you seek in a hotel experience: unique, comfortable, architecturally intriguing, close to things, dope minibar, has a pool, doesn’t break the bank, locals hang out there.

1. close to things since I love being able to explore on foot, 2. comfortable, 3. unique, 4. locals hang there, 5. architecturally intriguing, 6. pool, 7. minibar, 8. doesn’t break the bank

Beach or City or Mountain?

Beach!

Airplane food- Y/N?

Hard NO. I always bring snacks

Early check-in/ late check-out?

Late check-out – insurance for whatever the night before has brought you!

Emma Svensson started out as a photographer in 2002 by shooting music artists and concerts, and has since then grown to become one of the most hired fashion photographers in Sweden. Emma now runs a namesake studio, where she employs 12 other photographers to help take on all the projects that come her way.

Until a year ago, Emma knew nothing about rock climbing, but after watching a life-changing film (see below!), she decided to break the world record and climb the highest mountain in every European country within a year- that’s 49 peaks total! Ever the over-achiever, she actually ended up climbing 61 mountains in a year instead, but who’s counting…

We were utterly impressed by Emma’s bravery and travel stories, and wanted to share more on her unique (and sometimes death-defying) experiences- read on, below!

Follow Emma Svensson on Instagram @emmasvenssonphoto

Have you or would you travel alone?

Yes, I love to travel alone! I can do whatever I feel like, and never have to compromise. I also get to know so many more people than I ever would if I was with a friend all the time; I feel like traveling alone develops you as an individual. It also makes you more spontaneous- I’m never scared when I travel by myself, for whatever reason. I also feel very welcomed when I’m traveling alone, wherever I go.

What inspired you to start mountain climbing?

I was on a plane to New Zealand, and decided to randomly watch the movie “Everest.” After it was over, I had this life-changing feeling in my body. I have only felt like that one other time in my life: when I photographed my first concert. And that was why I became a photographer. I just knew I had to do this! The primal instinct was strong, and impossible to ignore.

What mountain had the largest impact on you, and why?

Monte Rosa Dufourspitze – the highest one in Switzerland. When I climbed it, I did it with a friend that had not done alpine climbing before, and it was the first time I was “the guide.” To be able to feel like I could lead a climb of that caliber only a year after I started rock climbing was amazing. Also, it was the hardest mountain in the 49 peaks!

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

Everything at the Tree Hotel in Northern Sweden. It’s such a cool place! I love the mirror cube, it’s like art.

What beauty items can you not travel without?

I climb mountains. So I don’t really care about beauty. But I would never go up there without sunscreen. That is the only thing I take on the mountains except for toothpaste and deodorant. I must be the most careless person working in fashion in Sweden when it comes to beauty 😉

What hotel room design element can you not live without?

Power outlet next to the bed. I always work from bed at hotels. I don’t know why, but I’ve found that most desks that I’ve encountered are not really made for working (either the chair is too low/high, or it’s just not comfortable). I want to be able to charge both my laptop and phone next to the bed- I think this is a modern necessity!

Where would you go to digital detox / get off the grid?

I go to the mountains or to National Parks. I love to travel to remote places where there is no wifi connection. Patagonia, the Highlands of Iceland, New Zealand – they all fit the bill. Next on my list is Nepal, where I will go up a mountain on a one-month long expedition. Climbing mountains are like meditation.

What 3 songs are on your OOO playlist?

Elastic heart – Sia

I dare you – The XX

Life Round Here – James Blake

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

My phone, camera, and laptop. I always have work to do, and I don’t trust to check those things in, just in case. When I remember to, I bring Swedish candy as well. I love sweets, but think we have the best kinds in Sweden. Unfortunately, I always eat everything on the plane…so they don’t last long!

Who is your dream “co-pilot” (or ‘travel partner’- dead or alive), and why?

I would love to go on a climbing road trip with Alex Honnold (a pro climber, and the only person to have free-soloed El Capitan in Yosemite National Park!). That would be so inspiring.

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

I notice that the more you travel, the better it gets somehow. I just sleep everywhere, all the time. On the flight, in the taxi… trying to get into the new time zone as soon as possible.

Beach or City or Mountain? 

This one is obvious!: Mountain

Early check-in/ late check-out?

Late check out!!

Window or Aisle?

Window

Maria is one those talented creatives that do lots of things (otherwise known as a “multi-hyphenate”), but most of the time she is a professional photographer, blogger, and Art Director. Also known as @MariaPizzeria, she has lived in London since 2011, but was born and raised in Sweden. She loves cooking (she even has a separate Instagram account for food & recipe ‘grams), as well as showcasing her predilections for skincare & beauty. She also loves chilling with cats.

Maria is the Co-Founder of Palmetto Studios, an art direction and graphic design studio that she runs together with her favorite person, Justin Moore.

One of her largest sources of inspiration is traveling – read on to learn more specifics re: her travel tips and tricks…

Follow Maria Maleh on Instagram @MariaPizzeria

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 3 songs are on your OOO playlist?

The sweetest taboo – Sade

Hold tight – Change

Candy – 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 influencer and stylist from @double3xposure 

Best Travel advise you’ve ever received, and from whom?

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 a foreign land or on a remote island), where would you do it?

THAILAND! <3

What do you ultimately get out of traveling?

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

Beach or City or Mountain?

BEACH

Lost luggage, or lost phone?

Lost luggage

Airplane food?

NOOOOOO

Fantasy minibar/fridge item?

Ice cream!