June 20, 2026
Summer Travel Essentials and a Team Q&A
By crafted-admin
As we gear up for summer travel our group chat went to our coveted travel essentials. We also look back on favorite client trips we planned in Q1, hotels that live up to the hype, and that place we’d go back to again and again.
Megan Stauffer
What was your favorite trip you booked for a client in Q1 and why?
A Euro-summer family adventure to London and Italy. It retraces some of my family’s favorite properties from our trip last summer, and it’s been really special to imagine the fun this family is about to have!
Your “I’d go back tomorrow” destination? Mauna Lani in Hawaii!
A hotel that lives up to the hype: Pavillon Faubourg in Paris
Carry-on only or check a bag? Team carry-on whenever possible! But when that feels too stressful, go ahead and check the bag.
Favorite summer items?
My Clare V crossbody that perfectly fits a wallet, phone, and sunglasses and absolutely nothing else (aka no more giving mom all the extra layers and junk, that goes in dads backpack)
Alex Cutler
What was your favorite trip you booked for a client in Q1 and why?
A Valentine’s Weekend Getaway to the recently opened Belden House & Mews in Litchfield, CT, complete with a cocktails and historic lantern tour of the towns’ most well-known love stories, a couples massage, a curated list of hiking and shopping recommendations, Michelin dining spots, and afternoon tea! I planned this trip for a client and friend and it was the most fun to curate a special weekend for them in a town I love.
Your “I’d go back tomorrow” destination?
Italy. Always Italy! Especially Florence, Turin, and Capri/Ischia.
A hotel that lives up to the hype? Mayflower Inn & Spa Auberge in Connecticut
Carry-on only or check a bag? CARRY ON ONLY!
Elizabeth Erhart
Favorite trip booked in Q1?
A Costa Rica trip for a family of 4 – they’re staying in the ranforest for a few days and then along the coast for a few days. We planned out an amazing itinerary to see lots of animals, waterfalls, ziplining, hanging bridges and more! I’m so excited for them to experience it as a family.
Your “I’d go back tomorrow” destination?
South Africa – I could go back hundreds of times and not get enough of the incredible animal sightings
Carry-on only or check a bag?
Carry-on only for life!
Favorite summer item?
Super basic but I don’t leave the house without my Owala these days and I just ordered a smaller one to fit into my travel purse
Kelley Lawrence
Favorite trip booked in Q1?
Japan & Korea: a couple’s trip to Tokyo > Kyoto > Seoul, with a lot of cool activities from sushi making to sumo and a baseball game in Japan, and then off to explore Seoul before back to the USA. Also incorporated a Ryokan this time in Kyoto which they loved.
Your “I’d go back tomorrow” destination?
Patagonia
A hotel that lives up to the hype?
Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle, Thailand
Carry-on only or check a bag?
Carry-on only
Annie Chambers
Favorite summer item?
I like Goop Unseen Sunscreen, a wide brim hat for outside time. I love my Andre Assous sandals. Mine are gold so I can dress them up, but they also have a comfortable footbed for walking around.
Favorite trip booked in Q1?
I love planning Africa, it’s always a fun planning call for me to relive my safari memories and get excited for first timers. This couple is combining Cape Town and one of my favorites Londolozi for safari.
Your “I’d go back tomorrow” destination?
Paris, always – just for salted butter and a good flaky croissant.
A hotel that lives up to the hype?
Belmond Cap Juluca
Carry-on only or check a bag?
I tried to be carry on but failed
Laura Dugan
Favorite summer item?
Sunglasses – goodr for cheap, krewe for fancy.
What was your favorite trip you booked for a client in Q1 and why?
Family adventure in Peru – the variety of experiences this destination offers is exciting, and these clients are repeat clients who really look for authenticity in their travel
Your “I’d go back tomorrow” destination?
London and Paris, tied.
A hotel that lives up to the hype?
Belmond Caruso in Ravello – it was worth every bit of hype
Carry-on only or check a bag?
Are you kidding me? Obviously check a bag (but I envy the carry-on crowd!)
Hannah Stanco
Favorite summer item?
My LL Bean Boat and Totes get a lot of use during the summer. As a beach bag, boat bag or packing for a long weekend away they are my summer bag workhorse. I have one for each kid with their monograms and one for the boat/beach.
What was your favorite trip you booked for a client in Q1 and why?
My favorite trip was for a group of clients traveling to Cape Town as one of them was running the Cape Town marathon. They initially planned the trip around the race, but I convinced them that if they were flying all the way to South Africa, they had to add a safari. I built an itinerary that combined the excitement of the marathon with time in Cape Town and a safari afterward. It was incredibly fun to plan, and even better when they came home saying the safari ended up being their favorite part of the entire trip and he came in 4th for his age group in the marathon!
Your “I’d go back tomorrow” destination?
Africa! I’ll take any chance I can get to go on Safari.
A hotel that lives up to the hype?
Il San Pietro di Positano in Italy. The views, the beach club, the rooms, the food, it’s all so incredibly fabulous!
Carry-on only or check a bag?
It depends on the destination but I can make a carry-on bag work but for a longer trip i’m 100% team checked bag, but make sure it has air tags.
Cassie: LLBean boat & toat, Cotopaxi del dia hip pack, Hemlock Hat lifeguard hat, ossa ny phone chain with water proof case
Viviana: Goop sunscreen is the best! I love their Unseen Sunscreen. Definitely a Bogg Bag convert especially w/kids. It’s not pretty but it’s soooo convenient!
