Meet the Traveler: Pauline Chardin

Name: Pauline Chardin

Hometown: Polisot, France. A tiny village in the middle of Champagne vineyards.

Occupation: Fashion designer and trend consultant. Traveler behind The Voyageur.

Favorite destinations: India and Italy.

Dying to visit: At the moment, Japan (this spring hopefully!), Polynesia, and New Orleans.

Bizarre travel rituals: Overdressing in remote/exotic places — somehow the adventure only feels complete with a good silk dress and the scarf to match it.

In-flight relaxation regime: Still have to figure it out.

Always in carry-on: Hand sanitizer, headphones, and a fully charged smartphone.

Concierge or DIY? DIY in Europe and tailor-made itineraries in faraway countries. Freedom is good, but it turns into a hassle pretty quickly in certain places.

See it all or take it easy? Do something every day, while keeping the schedule light and avoiding spending hours in a car.

Drive or be driven? Neither my husband or I have a license, so we always need a driver. Unless we have bikes!

Travel hero: Paul Morand (French writer) and Anne Marie Schwarzenbach (Swiss journalist).

Weirdest thing seen on travels: The gas stations and military outposts in the middle of the desert, on the road between Cairo and Siwa in Egypt. They felt like surreal lunar settlements. Each time we stopped on the road, people asked WHY in hell we were there.

My favorite hotel is the Shoreditch House in London, which is actually more than a hotel since it's also a club. The interiors there are always an inspiration and the breakfast is delicious!

I dream about my meal at the Malabar Junction in Kochi, India. I would kill to taste the marinated tuna again.

Best hotel amenity: The private pool in our villa at Jetwing Vil Uyana in Sri Lanka. Wish I could be in it right now!

Favorite childhood travel memory: Exploring the Mediterranean on an inflatable boat. I kept a passion for small rafts and will jump on any occasion to do anything canoe-related.

Everywhere I go, I check out the markets.

When I arrive in a new place, I learn the lay of the land by downloading the map, going for a walk, and finding out if there's an acceptable bakery around.

I always bring home food from Italy, spices from everywhere they're cheap, and textiles anywhere I go. I also dream of bringing back carpets, gallons of olive oil, furniture, and ceramics (in other words, things that don't fit in my luggage).

If I never return to Berlin, it'll be too soon because I still have no clue how anyone finds that city enjoyable. Maybe with a car? In summer? With a local?

I travel for the inspiration.

MORE ON PAULINE

Website: thevoyageur.net
Twitter: @The_Voyageur
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