Babba C Rivera is the smart, successful woman who also happens to be gorgeous, abnormally stylish, and nice AF. She’s an award-winning Brand Marketing Professional (Forbes 30 under 30), with experience working in fashion and tech in Stockholm, Berlin, and New York, and has been featured in publications like Vogue and The Coveteur.

Following launching tech unicorn Uber in Sweden, she moved to NYC to be their Head of Partnerships, and ran the company’s largest consumer partnerships with brands like Evian, Rag & Bone, and Lyst. She left Uber after 4+ years for a position as Director of Brand Marketing at a then-unknown luggage company called AWAY, and after she helped scale it to a household name she set out to found her own business- all before hitting 30.

Babba now works to merge the gap between the agency world and the uprise of fast-moving, direct-to-consumer brands with her company, bybabba – a next-gen Brand Marketing Agency, based in New York. She’s also a Board Member of game tech company Leo Vegas and cool girl accessories brand ATP Atelier. In her “spare time” (ha), she is a wife, the Co-Founder of women in business network HER USA, and dog Mama to the adorable @blue.official. Babba is Swedish and of Chilean descent, but has called NYC home since early 2015. Constantly on the road, we asked for her to take time to share her travel tips and tricks to help us all.

What hotel room design element can you not live without?

I cannot live without a good hotel bathrobe! Staying in hotels for me is a form of self-care and nothing feels more like self-care than coming home after a long day and putting on a cozy robe and a face mask.

What 3 songs are on your OOO playlist?

Only Love by Ben Howard, Riptide by Vance Joy and Slip by Elliot Moss.

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

Café Fabrique in Stockholm, Sweden is a favorite spot of mine for a delicious coffee and cinnamon bun.

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

I believe it is about taking advantage of those little moments you have during the day to really check in and recharge. I download meditation sessions on my phone via Headspace before takeoff and take the offline moment in-flight to focus on calming. I also have a full skincare routine during my flights! I use Verso’s hydration sheet masks, Vintner’s Daughter serum with a floral essence and the Tata Harper essential oil rollers for anti-stress.

You travel a lot for work – what are your tips for making it as easy and relaxing as possible? Any favorite hotels to stay in that help accomplish this?

I always try to stay in hotel rooms with a bathtub or really luxurious showers, nice robes and an amazing staff. Bank Hotel in Stockholm is definitely a new favorite for me- their staff is incredibly accommodating. Nobis Hotel in Copenhagen is another favorite. Both hotels have great bath amenities and a super helpful staff. On top of that, they both have great restaurants within the hotel which makes it easy (and so convenient) to host business meetings at the hotel, over breakfast or lunch.

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

I love sets! My go-to right now is the Rag Doll set, paired with furry Gucci slippers. The set is wool, so it keeps me warm but it is still breathable and the slippers are so easy when going through airport security.

What is your most used travel emoji?

👋

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

Blue! She brings a source of zen to any destination.

Alone or with someone else?

Someone else.

In-flight wifi- good idea: yes or no?

No!!

Fantasy minibar/fridge item?

Kombucha and milk chocolate.

Favourite travel app?

Blinkist! The app summarizes books into condensed 25-minute podcast episodes.

Alexis runs brand + creative at ADAY, a direct-to-consumer brand creating consciously designed, versatile essentials that we love for while traveling as well as everyday. ADAY is setting a new standard for clothing by fusing minimal, season-less shapes with technical fabrics and a sustainable supply chain. Prior to this prime gig, Alexis was Creative Director at a global branding agency where she worked with brands like IKEA, Vodafone, and Diesel . She even managed time (how??) for a few side hustles, including Bespoky- an app she brought to beta with AllSaints – and OMG I’m Getting Married, her personal wedding blog turned mini business.

Alexis was born in LA, but spent the majority of her childhood abroad, including 10 years in Hong Kong, 3 years in Dublin and 3 years in Seoul – all before she went back to the states for university. She’s lived in London for 12 years now, making it the longest she’s ever been in one place… her heart still lives in Asia though 🙂 

Follow Alexis Cuddyre on Instagram @alexis.cuddyre

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

On-site veggie patch at Tafika Safari Lodge in Zambia

What hotel room design element can you not live without?

I love a good bathtub tray. My husband planned a weekend away and the best part was walking into the bathroom and seeing the latest issue of Vogue on the rack. He didn’t get it 😉

What is/are your favorite “douchey offices” while traveling?

Rooftop bar at the Marina Bay Sands Hotel, however, the humidity totally destroyed my laptop so not recommended. Karma? No, I would go for Hilton Head and working while watching the sun rise over the marsh with a cup of coffee in my HK mug.

You travel a LOT for work (you were between NYC and London for a while!) – what are your tips for making it as easy and relaxing as possible? Any favorite hotels to stay in that help accomplish this?

Carry-on only, and keeping duplicate wardrobe staples in both locations is a life saver. For about 2 years I spent enough time in New York and London to have a place in both cities, so I kept life staples in each flat – my core ADAY pieces, a pair of Nikes, Weleda face wash + cream – all made going “home”  simpler + lighter.

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

Without fail, my ADAY cooler days culottes and something borrowed shirt, worn open as a jacket, over our dream harder tank. Allbirds + an Everlane duffle are also mandatory for me….I’m a walking 100% millennial cliche, but hey 🙂 They’re all machine washable, wrinkle resistant, and super comfy.

What is your most used travel emoji?

 ➡️

Best travel advice you’ve ever received, and from whom?

Both Meg & Nina (ADAY co-founders) champion the “find a job you don’t need a holiday from” which has helped me approach life, work, travel, and space in a completely new way.

Anxiety and burn out are big topics these days. How do you combat them, and how do you use travel to do so? Any favorite hotels for this, specifically?

A recent visit to Zambia literally forced me not to check email (or Instagram) for 5 days because we were so remote that we didn’t have any service. It’s a bit extreme, but if that’s the only way you’ll shut off, I’d highly recommend it. Tafika Lodge runs amazing walking safaris and super minimal campgrounds which run entirely on solar panels, so when the lights go out, you literally have to go to sleep, or tell stories in the dark 🙂

I also still very much value the traditional holiday. Bleisure (or whatever people call it these days- ie “business” x “leisure”) is wonderful, but total time off is healthy, too. My friends and I have a group called #ShitsOnTheMove (yes), where 1 person every quarter plans a top-secret weekend away. The rules are simple = stick to the budget + no time off work, often carry-on only. The rest of us just show up at the train station ready for an adventure. (EDITOR’s NOTE: We LOVE this!! Stealing the idea…). I’m the type of person who gets as much pleasure out of planning a holiday as I do when I’m actually on it, but at the same time I sometimes have crazy expectations, and can’t ‘just let go’ and enjoy the moment. Having someone else take care of all the details means I don’t have to worry about anything + can just focus on spending time with friends.

Alone or with someone else?

Both.

Lost luggage, or lost phone?

Lost phone. Sounds lovely.

Fantasy minibar/fridge item?

Face mask.

Nick Campbell started his company, Narcissus Arts, with the goal of making art more accessible for people he knew – the first time art buyers and art lovers in their 20s and 30s, who can afford to spend maybe a few grand or up to 10k, but who are typically ignored by an industry that seems to cater only to oligarchs and millionaires. Prior to founding his business, Nick gained experience in the Contemporary Art World in pretty big deal places like the Victoria Miro & White Cube galleries in London, and Christie’s Auction House in New York. He also says sage stuff like, “I think art, at its best, provides viewers with a bit of escapism.” We couldn’t agree more, so we decided to ask him for some notes on some of his artful escapes.

Nick has been featured in publications like The New York Times, Vanity Fair, and the BBC amongst others (but also, on Safara!). He was chosen as the UK’s best art consultant under 35 by Spears Magazine in 2014, and on British GQ’s “Self Made List” as a top entrepreneur in 2017. He’s also a member of the ‘New 100 Club’, which is a collection of the top 100 young art collectors worldwide.  And there’s more- but it’s a lot. He’s a busy dude.

Nick was born and raised in London, but is constantly on the road – from San Francisco to Costa Rica to New Delhi and beyond, he’s been there, or is planning to go there asap…. Given his naturally curious mind and aesthetic eye from being in the Art World, we asked him to dish on his favorite hotels, where to sit on a cheap flight to Ibiza, Jude Law, and more. Read on!

Follow Nicholas Campbell on Instagram @nickcampbellna

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

Personalized bicycles.

What hotel room design element can you not live without?

A bathtub.

What is/are your favorite “douchey offices” while traveling?

By the pool of the Setai, Miami. The rooftop of Soho House, Istanbul, the lobby of the Imperial in Delhi

Art being your main passion – what hotels have memorable art collections that are worth a peek, whether you’re staying there or not?

The Thief (Oslo), The Dolder Grand (Switzerland), Cavalieri (Rome)

If you could outfit any 3 hotels in the world with Narcissus Arts’ works, what would they be?

The new Peninsula that will open soon in London, the Four Seasons in Singapore and the Delano in Miami as it needs a facelift.

What’s your best tip for finding under the radar / unique galleries while traveling?

Contact me.

What is your most used travel emoji?

Smiley face with heart eyes.

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

Jude Law.

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

Richard Ayoade as his hatred of traveling would be endlessly amusing.

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

Personally, my go-to is the Conde Nast Traveller ‘City Guide’. They never fail to be on point and up to date.

Best travel advice you’ve ever received, and from whom?

When going to Ibiza, always pay extra to sit at the very front of the plane.

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

I’m lucky that I can fall asleep almost immediately when traveling, so I, in fact, tend to use the actual voyage as my downtime.   (EDITOR’S NOTE: this is pretty annoying, huh! That’s the one super power we’d love….to be able to sleep anywhere, any time;)).

Do you have any favorite travel hacks?

Always be polite and always give it a go, you’d be surprised at how many times you can get an upgrade, or at least get a better seat- just by being nice and asking.

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

Costa Rica. Even on the side of the road, the coffee is excellent.

What is your favorite travel book – for at home, or abroad- and why?

Bill Bryson ‘Notes From a Small Island’. It’s an amusing read

What’s your favorite room service experience ever?

I’m a simple person, a free bottle of something, preferably in an ice bucket for when you arrive can never fail to impress.

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?

A Riad in Marrakech is the dream.

Alone or with someone else?

Alone

In-flight wifi- good idea?

No

Window or Aisle?

Window

Bryan’s career in digital media, marketing and advertising spans over 15 years working on some of the world’s most influential travel brands. Prior to joining AFAR, Bryan was the Travel Director at National Geographic Adventure, Sales Director at the New Yorker, and most recently had served as the Associate Publisher at Outside Magazine. Basically, he has lived the dream travel media career! Obviously we wanted to pick his impressive travel brain for his tips and tricks…

Though super busy being a big deal Publisher of a major global travel media company, Bryan also takes the time to be active in many philanthropic initiatives with organisations involved with conservation (specifically re: water), and sustainability. He has served on several boards including the Association for the Promotion of Tourism to Africa, Benefit Committee of the Africa Foundation, and GreenTeam USA. Bryan is back and forth between the big apple for work and Hastings-on-the-Hudson (where there are far more trees!) where he lives with his wife and 8 year old son.

Follow Bryan Kinkade on Instagram @bkinkade001

Name 3 hotels that you love.

Casa de las Olas, Tulum

Scribners Lodge, Catskills

Anvil Hotel, Jackson Hole

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

The Amangani in Jackson Hole had a wonderful little wooden carved bison as a gift to all the kids that stayed there.  Such a small touch but one that my son still cherishes and we talk about 4 years on now.

What hotel room design element can you not live without?

Illy coffee maker in the room.

What are your favorite “douchey offices” while traveling?

Any porch or veranda looking over crystal clear waters.

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

Isla Holbox, Mexico (a car-free island north of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, between the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, that’s on a Nature Reserve) for a longer stay, or Phoenicia, NY for a quick weekend reboot.

What 3 songs are on your OOO playlist?

Bruce, Bruce, Bruce.  (EDITOR’S NOTE: he means “The Boss”….or Springsteen for the youngins;))

What is your most used travel emoji?

At work, eye roll dude. When traveling – sunglasses guy.

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

AFAR Magazine, a New Yorker, plus one random new mag picked up at the airport. I like to roll the dice.

Have you or would you travel alone?

YES! Solo travel breaks down barriers, local access opens up to you more, and conversations are initiated when you’re solo and not staring at a phone or at your travel buddy. 

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

Very biased but honest answer – AFAR.com.  It might not cover everything there is to see in a place – but there’s always going to a be a local/secret gem that you wouldn’t find out about otherwise.

What’s your favorite room service experience ever?

&Beyond Ngala camp in Kruger – sipping on champagne and enjoying Namibian oysters while being visited by a mother elephant taking a drink out of our plunge pool.    (EDITOR’S NOTE: !!!!! Jealous).

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

Robert Young Peloton.  The dude has talked his way out of kidnappings in Colombia, partied with militias in Somalia, and navigated his way through the world’s most dangerous places with an intrepid spirit and open mind. There are a lot of conflict zones and countries in flux I’d love to visit, but only with RYP as a co-pilot!

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

Digital detox and traveling unplugged can absolutely change the way you look at the world, interact with your family and reflect on your priorities while traveling.  Whether for a long weekend or your next week+ trip, I’d so strongly encouraging everyone to #travelunplugged.

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

Ambien.

What is your favorite travel book – for at home, or abroad- and why?

On holiday I’m a sucker for crime/spy/mystery paperbacks – usually the first one I see at the airport bookstore or left behind at the lodge/hotel etc where I’m staying.

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

Ever since Levi’s started adding some stretch to their jeans I can leave the sweats behind on red-eye flights and stay warm, comfy and hit the ground ready to go.

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.

If you could quit your job and follow the “Mamma Mia” dream, where would you do it?  

Near a solid surf break in Latin America.

Rapid Fire Round:

Beach or City or Mountain?  Mountain

Alone or with someone else? With someone

In-flight wifi- good idea: yes or no?

TERRIBLE idea.

Lost luggage, or lost phone?

Phone.

Airplane food- Y/N?  

Yes.

Fantasy minibar/fridge item?

Local IPA.

Early check-in/ late check-out?  

Early.

Favorite subscription service you’ll never delete?  

Amazon.

In-flight cocktail:

Vodka.

Favorite travel app:

Fishbrain.

Window or Aisle?  

Window. Always.

A California native, Georgia has been braving winters on the east coast for 10 years. After her most recent role as the Executive Producer at Lemonade Creative, she branched out on her own as a brand consultant and creative producer for a breadth of fashion and lifestyle clients in NYC. She’s worked with rad brands you may have heard of, like Goop, Virgin Atlantic, J.Crew, Negative Underwear, HBO, and more. Prior to producing, Georgia was a brand strategist at Horizon Media and curated national partnerships for Gilt Groupe.

Though her career as a “multi-hyphenate” has her working on everything from tablescapes to strategy plans, her true love is traveling with a pen and camera in hand. She is passionate about storytelling and story receiving equally, and finds that the best tales are told over a good plate of food in dim lighting.

Follow Georgia Zeavin on Instagram @georgia_cassidy

Off the top of your head- 3 favorite hotels, anywhere in the world. Go!

La Reserve de Beaulieu in France for the wildly overpriced club sandwich and the immaculate attention to detail. The Kamaroti Suites on Sifnos in Greece –  everything about the island was magic, including this boutique hotel. Ventana Big Sur: I am a California native and getting away to Big Sur was a family favorite for us. I haven’t been back in some time, but it’s such a special place.

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

I just took a big trip to Peru. During my month down there, I trekked the Cañón del Colca. No cell phones, no wifi, just you and a truly breathtaking landscape. So far, that has been my favorite digital escape, but I have a few more “off the grid” places on my list for 2019!

Have you or would you ever travel alone?

Yes – I actually just did a big 6-week solo trip in South America this summer. I think if you are lucky enough to find the time, space, and means to travel for an elongated period of time alone – it’s incredible. The perspective you get from 30k feet, without the soundboards and the constant communication is invaluable. I’ll be writing a lot more on this topic soon!

What is your favorite travel book – for at home, or abroad?

Hemingway always reminds me of my Dad, who was my favorite travel partner, so A Moveable Feast would have to be one. Recently, I read Donna Tartt’s A Secret History while traveling between Shelter Island, CA, and NYC. I’m a little late to this one, but I am a huge fan of her writing and this book is definitely one you can get lost in during those hours in transit.

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

The best cup of coffee I ever had wasn’t at a luxurious coffee shop. I was staying at a bed and breakfast in Jardin, a small town in the coffee country in Colombia. Every morning, our host would make a beautiful breakfast spread and coffee. Usually, the best coffee that is grown in this region is exported, but that’s slowly changing. Our host made us a french press every morning with freshly grown coffee, most likely from less than a mile away, infused with anise, cinnamon, cardamom, thyme, and panela. I have yet to taste anything like it!

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

First and foremost: dark chocolate. I am a chocolate addict so I need it on me at all times. EO Hand Sanitizer, three different chapsticks, my journal, Andalou Naturals Micellar Facial Wipes, one of four books I’m reading, and usually Porta 400 film and my Olympus Stylus Epic.

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?    

This is a really hard one. I have about six places that come to mind… but I might have to say Portugal.

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

For me, comfort is a huge priority. I can’t get on a plane in jeans. I usually go the athleisure route, and today it’s easy to feel put together and comfortable with brands like Outdoor Voices, LNDR, and Nagnata. Most of the time I’m in black on black, wearing leggings with whatever Nike sneakers I’m feeling, a cropped tank, and a Uniqlo zip-up. I get super cold on planes so I usually have a pullover handy as well.

In-flight Wifi?

No

Window or aisle?

Window

Early check-in/late checkout?

Late checkout!

Lost luggage or lost phone?

Depends on what is in my luggage…

Alice is a plant-based chef, cooking teacher, and product consultant living in London. After heading to culinary school at the age of 21, Alice went on to work with the Jamie Oliver group in London, before consulting with some of the UK’s best-known food brands. In 2015, Alice headed to Los Angeles to deepen her love for plant-based foods, where she taught and learned under Matthew Kenney.  Alice can make raw, vegan desserts that taste wonderful- and can make anyone laugh over a glass of wine or two. So we decided to ask her for a few tips on how to stay well while traveling- if not every day. Read on for her wisdom:

Follow Alice MacKinnon on Instagram @alicemackinnon1985

DIY plant dies while cooking in LA

What supplements/ vitamins etc do you travel with that are lifesavers?

Magnesium, for restful sleep + relaxed muscles post-flight.

Essential oils for the flight – I love DeMamiel Altitude Oil, it smells amazing and completely alleviates stress.

Good quality probiotics. 

What’s the best TSA-approved airplane snack?

An avocado. You can grab a sachet of salt and pepper from any airport now, and its filling.

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

To Norfolk, England, where my family has a home (there’s limited WiFi and it’s extremely peaceful) – just being there is a tonic! Or I’d do Panchakarma (an Ayurvedic therapy) in India, but that’s more of a commitment…

One of Alice’s favourite restaurants in LA, try Shima in Venice, and definitely order the spiced ginko nuts!

Have you or would you ever travel alone?

Absolutely. I love traveling alone. I like doing whatever I want without having to discuss the details!

Best Travel advise you’ve ever received?

Food wise, if there’s a more expensive restaurant on your list but dinner isn’t an option, try going for lunch. There are often lunch specials that tend to be cheaper, and if you go mid-week it’s quieter, too.

Also – ALWAYS pack earplugs and an eye mask. Game changers. 

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

Don’t eat on the plane. Just drink A TON of water, more than you think you need. It really works. Eat before or after the flight. 

Alice’s healthy “nut pulp” cookies (made from leftover homemade nut milks) are a treat for the eyes, as well as the taste buds)

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

In Tanzania, at Nomad– a moving safari camp. Every morning they bought fresh coffee and fresh shortbread to your room. It sounds small – but I still dream about that shortbread. The camp had no electricity, but you barely noticed because the attention to detail was extraordinary.

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

I wear the same thing for every flight! Vince slip-ons, Lululemon pants, and a cozy sweater. I always have a big scarf because I am usually cold.

In-flight wifi – good idea?

NO. Enjoy the offline time.  

Airplane food?

NOOOOOOO.

Window or Aisle?

AISLE! So you can get up to walk around, and go pee after all that water you’re drinking.

Cha-Cha Matcha in NYC is one of Alice’s favorite pit stops for a caffeinated pick me up- or a soft serve matcha swirl