Pro Travel: an interview with Lauren Ho

A luxury travel specialist (tough gig, no doubt), Lauren Ho has made it her mission to see as much of the world as possible, and then share it with her readers and clients.

During her 15-year career, Lauren has become one of the foremost authorities in luxury travel, working as Wallpaper* magazine's travel editor for over a decade, contributing to trend reports, judging industry events like the international Restaurant & Bar Design Awards, and authoring a book on the concept and history of Amerikalinjen, a Nordic Hotels & Resorts property in Oslo.

You're originally from Joburg. How did growing up in South Africa influence your worldview?

I grew up in the 80s and 90s, and like most of us at that time in South Africa, I had a very sheltered upbringing. My only understanding of the outside world was through television programmes, music and the occasional overseas trip I was lucky enough to go on with my parents. All of this gave me a taste for a bigger, more exciting world out there that I always knew I wanted to go and explore.

Describe your first travel experience

I can't remember my first travel experience, but I have lots of memories of the Kruger National Park; riding horses in the Drakensberg mountains; the beaches in and around Umhlanga; and Plettenberg Bay, where we spent most of our Christmases. My first overseas travel experience was to Mauritius when I was about eight, where I remember snorkelling and being amazed by the softness of the sand on the beach, the stillness of the sea and all the colourful fish around me.

Why do you travel?

I think travelling and exploring the world is the best education anyone can have. It has taught me confidence and independence, while boosting my self awareness and problemsolving skills. Navigating a foreign country on your own also gives you a satisfying sense of achievement, but the best part about travelling is meeting people from all walks of life and making new friends - the more I travel, the more I want to see. It's addictive.

What do you consider to have been your ultimate travel experience so far?

I'm lucky enough to have had a few of these: tracking mountain gorillas in Rwanda and Uganda; travelling on the Orient Express from Singapore to Bangkok; sailing among massive icebergs in Antarctica; visiting the Galápagos Islands; and flying by private jet to New York from London. How do you choose the places you visit? Sometimes it's dependent on a new hotel that is opening; sometimes I'll be in a certain region and while I'm there I just stay on and continue to explore. A lot of the time, it's me chasing the summer months around the world!

What passport do you have and how many have you had in your life to date?

I have a British passport. I used to have a South African one, but this was unknowingly revoked because I didn't know I needed to formally apply to keep it when I applied for my British passport. I was devastated when I realised, and I'm only telling you this because I want it back. A South African passport might not be the easiest one to use when travelling, but it's my heritage and my identity.

What tips do you have for those of us who'd also like to transition from desk-jockeys to digital nomads like yourself?

While travelling and constantly being on the road is exciting, it can also be exhausting, so it's important to try and keep a routine, to look after yourself and try to eat as healthily as possible. It's also important to make sure that everything you have is stored digitally so you can always access what you need, especially anything you might need for life admin, like copies of your birth certificate.

What hacks do you have for making travel as pain-free as possible?

Be organised, try to find a SIM card that can work globally, and use packing cubes to pack! These small bags organise and compartmentalise and ensure optimum use of space. They are a lifesaver when it comes to organising your suitcase. What has a life spent travelling taught you about people? Travel and meeting people of so many different cultures has opened me up to empathising with the struggles and celebrations of different people around the world. I better understand how people from various cultures communicate and that there is a common good in most of humanity. Although we are all different, we are all part of this single human race that brings us together and makes the world go round.

What's in your carry-on?

My laptop, AirPods, chargers, Haribo sweets, Uniqlo's foldable down jacket, hand cream, lip balm and sunglasses.

How do you dress when flying?

Always athleisure.

Which major travel trend are you most excited about?

Slow travel. I love that now that many of us can work remotely. We are taking the time to truly explore a destination, and choosing slower, more relaxed modes of transport - like cars and trains - to get from one destination to another. Travel shouldn't be about ticking off the boxes.

Because you travel for a living, how do you like to spend the December holidays?

Believe it or not, I have never had a true holiday with proper time off - and I'm not sure I want to. My problem is that I love visiting new destinations, so even if I plan for it to be a holiday, I'll always find something I want to write about. Capturing pecial moments is definitely part of the adventure.

Follow Lauren's travels on Instagram @laurenhotravels