Insider Tips from
Experienced Travelers
For the type-A, always-optimizing travelers among us: Our ongoing Q&A series uncovers the secrets of professional voyagers and worldly connoisseurs. From planning and packing to navigating new terrain like a local, discover insider tips that elevate every journey to unforgettable heights.
Rhiannon Taylor
Photographer and Creative Director
Founder, In Bed With
Rhiannon Taylor is a photographer and creative director known for her instinctive eye and atmospheric style. Over the past decade, she has built a global portfolio capturing interiors, design-led hotels, and thoughtful luxury across more than 50 countries. Originally from Melbourne, Rhiannon has lived and worked in New York. Her work has appeared in Condé Nast Traveler, VOGUE Living, Belle, and beyond, and she counts Aman, Six Senses, and Moncler among her clients. Trained at RMIT University, she brings precision and sensitivity to every frame—illuminating spaces through natural light, composition, and mood. In 2020, she launched In Bed With, a visual journal and trusted guide to the world’s most memorable hotel stays. When not travelling, Rhiannon shares daily life with her husband and two children, always keeping her eyes open for beauty in the in-between.
You’ll never catch me departing for a trip without…
My laptop. I’m unable to compose an email on my phone (perhaps showing my age). Big screen is a must!
The luggage brand I’ll always invest in is…
Rimowa, always. I have really loved collecting them over the years. I also have a lot of July–the quality is brilliant and for our big production shoots where we’re on the road a long time and we have a lot to pack, their big cases have been a lifesaver. My kids also get a kick out of having their names printed on their own luggage.
When choosing a private travel concierge, the three must-haves are…
Seamless customs assistance on arrival, transfers, and in-the-know reservations for dining.
For travel safety and intel, my ultimate insider source is…
I always check with a local—for confirmation of any travel safety warnings and a realistic perspective on local news. I also try and check with someone who’s recently visited for a traveler perspective.
The single most versatile item of clothing for a summer weekend jaunt is…
A linen shorts and shirt set. Open shirt over swimwear for the beach, tied up shirt and strappy sandals for an alfresco dinner. I have about eight sets and live in them all summer.
Favorite season to escape to Southern Europe is…
September, before everything closes for the season, but the weather is still warm and the crowds are much lower. Feels so special.
Packing for a weekend in NYC, carry-on only? My tip is…
A trench coat that you can layer with thin cashmere sweaters so you can easily change with the weather. And a cross body bag.
My favorite in-flight wellness ritual or remedy…
Minimize blue light—blue light blocking glasses are essential!
The travel app that’s saved me more than once is…
xe.com/ucc—I’m terrible with foreign currency.
My method for securing a last-minute table at a starred restaurant is…
A good travel agent.
A jet lag cure that actually works for me every time? It’s…
The Timeshifter app to prepare the body before going away and coming home. Unfortunately, it doesn’t help when you have little ones!
My go-to way to capture travel memories is…
Because I’m shooting on large format cameras for work, I tend to do all happy snaps on my iPhone so I’m not lugging around big gear and can feel free.
My greatest travel extravagance that’s become essential is…
A beautiful hotel. Even with kids, I just love staying in hotels rather than renting private accommodation. I want to feel on holiday and not have to make breakfast or clean.
If I have a day off in a city, my perfect agenda starts with…
A slow breakfast—croissants and coffee—and a long walk. I love people watching in a new city.