Meet the Traveler: Gillian Schwartz
Hometown: Washington D.C.
Occupation: Creative director and founder of Schwartz & Sons.
Favorite destinations: Jerez, Maine, Paris, Palm Desert.
Dying to visit: Tokyo, Marrakesh, Vietnam, India, Panama.
Bizarre travel rituals: I do lots of planning ahead, obsessive schedules and lists. But upon arrival, I end up going totally off the cuff.
In-flight relaxation regime: They are dorky, but I love noise-cancelling headphones. Then there's water chugging, chill-out drops from my acupuncturist, and list-making.
Always in carry-on: Shawl, iPad, Corgi polka-dot socks stolen from my dad, notebook.
Concierge or DIY? A well engineered combination of both.
See it all or take it easy? SEE IT ALL.
Drive or be driven? See "Concierge or DIY."
Best hotel amenity: Can be as simple as running water or as complex as antique heated bread baskets on bed tray breakfasts. It's all relative.
I dream about my meal at Camille on Rue des Francs-Bourgeois in Paris (the côte du bœuf).
Everywhere I go, I go where the old-timers go.
When I arrive in a new place, I learn the lay of the land through "first day" wandering and recommendations collected from well traveled friends.
I always bring home printed ephemera, textiles, silver bracelets. I ship back books, gifts, and cured meat.
If I never return to missing luggage, it'll be too soon because it will be a sure sign my luggage is missing.
I travel for the creative reset, light, perspective, and people.