The founder of Naps linen bedding and homeware shares her travel highlights, as well as some photos she’s taken along the way.
The last place I travelled to was Lanzarote, with my best friend Nastya. I love this particular Canary island because of its rawness and out-of-this-world volcanic landscapes.
I can enjoy pretty much any country or place, if I am with the right people and a relaxed mind. Each destination has something to do and see, you just have to look for it.
Some of the best food I’ve had was at Auberge de Chassignolles (right) in France. You drive for half an hour through the forest, until you reach a tiny village where life revolves around the hotel. Start your day with boiled eggs, fresh sourdough, cheese and jams. Lunch is small local dishes – pâté, salads, soup, then go for a walk in the forest followed by a nap. Finish your day with a long dinner, natural wine (or their mind-blowing homemade cider), seasonal dishes and apple crumble. Repeat.
I keep going back to London and New York. I don’t think you can really know these cities or fully explore them. They’re ever-changing, and you always want to go back and feel that unique energy again. I almost never research where I’m travelling, but I do ask local friends for recommendations.
I always carry a book with me, so I like to find a secluded spot and read. It can be a café, park, library, or even a gallery. My favourite tip is to start reading it at home to make sure you like it, or have a Kindle, just in case.
Local products like handmade rings, clothes and wine are lovely to bring home. Once I even brought a carpet from Morocco.
I absolutely love taking photos of people on my travels. If I don’t feel too shy, I ask them permission to take their portrait. I always pack a camera and lots of film rolls, as well as ground coffee, a travel-sized V60 coffee maker, and my Kinto tumbler.
My travel clothes aren’t different from my everyday ones. I like to wear loose clothing, linen, sweaters and Birkenstocks.
My life and work are so intertwined – whenever I go on holidays, I combine it with meetings and photo shoots.
On a recent trip to Formentera, my friend Nastya and I took some photos of our upcoming kitchen linen collection.
I have the best night’s sleep when I am exhausted after a long day of walking around. Natural bedding, a good mattress and pillow, and fresh air – that’s all I need.
I haven’t planned any trips for 2023 yet. My planning timescale is very short these days. But I’d love to go to Japan and Lebanon.
This article originally appeared in the Spring 2023 issue of IMAGE Magazine.
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