Notes from my summer travels, Part II
What I packed, what I saw and read, and what I watched at 35,000 feet
In Part I of my summer travel notes, I shared the routines, hotels, and meals that kept me well, and a few reflections on what Americans might learn from Europeans. Here’s the rest: what I actually packed for five weeks, what I saw and read, and what I watched at 35,000 feet.
What I packed
A disclaimer: I am not a light packer, and I cannot travel with a carry-on. But for this trip I packed light—by my standards. Here’s what I actually used over five weeks:
Supplements: packed in daily pouches. I only brought basics: prenatal, iron, vitamin C, magnesium, probiotics, electrolytes, and protein powder (plus my shaker bottle)
Books: my iPad loaded with books (and only two paperbacks, a personal victory)
Shoes: three pairs of Havaianas, one pair of flat sandals, one pair of gym shoes
Accessories: a sun hat, my huge Row raffia bag (also my travel bag), and three pairs of sunglasses
Clothing: simple dresses, skirts, and tops—nothing too precious, because I find it tacky to overdress by the beach. All packed in organizing cubes. Two travel outfits (linen pants and cotton sweatshirts) and three workout sets
Beauty: two full cases because my skin is sensitive and reactive, and I can’t just use “whatever.” Highlights: ISDIN sunscreen, La Roche-Posay calming serum, Shu Uemura shampoo, mask and oil, Defenage serum, Avène Cicalfate (always useful for irritation), Tower 28 face spray, the best sensitive-skin body wash ever made, Necessaire fragrance-free lotion, a Fara Homidi lip liner and oil, and the Hermès bronzer—which I used exactly once
What I saw
In London: I saw Cartier at the V&A Museum and Jenny Saville at the National Portrait Gallery in London. Both were beautiful, but Saville is one of my all-time favorite artists, and standing in front of her large scale paintings was especially moving.
In Venice: I revisited the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, which I’ve never found remarkable in terms of the works themselves, but I love the palazzo where Peggy lived—it still feels infused with her spirit. I also stopped by the Pinault Collection, which was a complete miss for me.
In Paris: Tickets to David Hockey at Foundation Louis Vuitton were sold out, so we went to see Céleste Boursier at the Pinault Collection instead. I left underwhelmed—and a little sad that so many exhibitions today seem designed more for Instagram than for the art itself.
I don’t love trolling museums and galleries just for the sake of it, or to appear cultured. I’ll usually go only if there’s an artist I truly want to see. More often, my favorite thing to do in any city is simply to walk—ideally through the less touristy corners—and marvel at their beauty. Luckily, Europe has no shortage of it.
What I read
For pleasure: The Brittle Age by Donatella Di Pietrantonio — everything I love in a novel: quiet, introspective, and a beautiful rendering of the complicated but tender bond between mothers and daughters. Baumgartner by Paul Auster — a sublime read that shouldn’t be spoiled with description. Audition by Katie Kitamura — one of my favorite books of 2025 so far, magical and engrossing. Empire of the Elite by Michael Grynbaum — if you grew up loving American magazines, this is a joyful ride through the fantastical world of Condé Nast. The Friday Afternoon Club by Griffin Dunne — a painful but beautiful portrait of a very complicated family. I Regret Almost Everything by Keith McNally — hilarious, heartbreaking, and it made me miss New York even more than I already did.
For learning: Expecting Better by Emily Oster and The Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy — both excellent if you’re considering pregnancy, trying to conceive, or simply curious to understand the process more deeply.
What I watched
I rewatched The Crown, one of my all-time favorite series. New shows I loved: Lena Dunham’s Too Much and The Gilded Age. Films these days are less inspiring—Materialists felt particularly ridiculous. Because I tend to return to old favorites, I also rewatched The Eye Has to Travel, the classic Diana Vreeland documentary, and Paul Thomas Anderson’s Magnolia—and wondered, yet again, why they don’t make films like that anymore. As for health-related podcasts, I especially enjoyed two Peter Attia episodes: one on longevity and another on female fertility. He’s the only expert in the wellness space I still make time to listen to.
Looking back, the lists are long—things packed, read, watched, seen. But what mattered most wasn’t any of that. It was the time: time to slow down, to notice, to enjoy. A reminder, once again, that the real luxury is not in what we carry, but in how we move through the days—like a morning swim in the sea.