Meet the Hotelier and Blogger: Veronique Lievre

We're getting to know the people behind our 24 Best Travel Blogs and Websites. Here's Veronique of Been Seen.

Hometown: Topanga, California.

Occupation: Hotel owner, decorator, editor for Boutique-Homes.com and Been-Seen.com.

Favorite destinations: Corsica, which is called the Isle of Beauty for the right reason, keeps me returning and discovering new things after so many years.

Dying to visit: Japan.

Bizarre travel rituals: I always take my echinacea with me and gulp it down during the flight. I have not been sick in years.

In-flight relaxation regime: It's relaxing to be on an airplane because nobody can contact you. I also love staring out the window.

Always in carry-on: Moisturizer, water, and trail mix.

Concierge or DIY? DIY.

See it all or take it easy? Take it easy.

Drive or be driven? Drive.

Travel hero: Richard Branson because he'll be taking people to the moon.

Weirdest thing seen on travels: There's always something new to discover in Los Angeles. In the San Fernando Valley, there's a weird fish store where I saw a dogfish for the first time. Its face really is exactly like a dog's!

Best hotel amenity: The spa products.

I dream about my meal at Nick's Cove in Point Reyes, where I sat savoring a plate of the freshest oysters on the deck of the Nicolina cottage looking out at the lagoon.

Everywhere I go I check out the antique stores and the real estate office. I look in the window to see what's for sale and how much it costs. You can discover incredible places even if you don't want to buy anything.

When I arrive in a new place, I learn the lay of the land by walking and driving wherever it looks good.

I always bring home something I find at the flea market, like miniature cars or miniature chairs and a cool rock.

If I never return to...There's actually no place that I don't want to return to because there's always something interesting no matter where you are.

I travel for the design.