Meet the Designer/Photographer: Nicolee Drake

Hometown: Rome, by way of Encinitas.

Occupation: Designer/photographer.

Favorite destinations: Milan, Prague, London.

Dying to visit: Japan, Vietnam, and India.

Bizarre travel rituals: I have a special, well-loved pair of minty green socks that only make appearances during long-haul flights.

In-flight relaxation regime: Crossword puzzle solved before take off — any day of the week.

Always in carry-on: Book, moisturizer, toothbrush, iPhone.

Concierge or DIY? DIY. I don't like being told what to do.

See it all or take it easy? See it all the first couple of days and the relax in the home stretch.

Drive or be driven? Drive. I like controlling the wheel.

Travel hero: My mother, who crisscrossed the US with me from when I was 3 to 14.

Weirdest thing seen on travels: Rainbow gatherings.

I dream about my meal at El Jalapeno on the corner of Bevery and Normandie in Hollywood, the best pork taco there could ever be.

Best hotel amenity: Eye masks, a great way to relax and beat jetlag.

Favorite childhood travel memory: The family VW van.

Everywhere I go, I check out bicycles, shoes, and cookbooks.

When I arrive in a new place, I learn the lay of the land by walking as fast as I can away from wherever I came from and then getting lost.

I always bring home chocolate, cookbooks, and maps.

If I never return to Bakersfield, it'll be too soon because I'm not looking for the end of the world.

I travel for the experience.