Proust Travel Questionnaire: Travel+Style

Any new release we wouldn’t normally have time to watch at home.

The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco. Re-reading it, in fact. The book can be described as a detective story set in a 14th-century monastery, but it’s so much more. It’s full of dark secrets, medieval symbols, coded manuscripts, physical and philosophical labyrinths, and murder. What’s not to love?

Actually, we tend to pack rather light. This forces us to be quite disciplined with things.

On a boat or in a 4×4 heading towards a new discovery, which preferably would be followed by a stay at a beach resort! So, adventure and cultural experiences mixed with relaxation in the sun.

The most precious commodity when traveling is time. We always plan to minimize any dead hours, such as between flights, so any delays, cancellations or lost baggage are instant mini-disasters. Tour groups are also not for us. The idea of visiting some place according to someone else’s schedule is most unwelcome.

Seamless service, where we know any problem will be dealt with swiftly. Best if it’s a small, intimate hotel defined by subtle and authentic luxury, with beautiful architecture and interiors designed to reflect its locale.

A sense of humor and the ability to always hold a good conversation.

As luxury travel bloggers, apart from staying at the high-end and often extravagant hotels, we always try to experience things we may not have the opportunity to live through again. Like sleeping under the stars in the middle of Namibian desert, getting pampered in an underwater spa in the Maldives, or checking-in to a hotel via paragliding in Oman.

Our next one.

Losing the essentials—passports, cameras.

We can’t say we really identify with any historical figures. But there are some who remain a source of fascination, like the language genius Champollion, who deciphered the Egyptian hieroglyphs and fueled our imagination. Or Richard Francis Burton, an illustrious 19th-century explorer who broke many taboos of his day and who relished personal contact with exotic human cultures. He traveled to Mecca secretly, was the first European to see Lake Tanganyika, and translated many works of literature from the Eastern cultures, including Kama Sutra.

Luiza: “Impatience.” Daniel: “Last-minute packing.”

When people are loud, and pushy.

On a rare occasion, in small-talk situations and only in certain places, such as some Middle East countries, we’d say “yes” when questioned if we are married. Sometimes it’s just easier not having to explain.

The other day, when we were in one of our favorite cafes in Paris, having a conversation over a glass of wine. Small things.

Luiza: “My boyfriend!” Both: “Our cameras.”

Experiences, not things.