My Life In Travel: Zach Weiss
@wearewilderness
I’ve just returned from Botswana. I was lucky to stay at three camps owned and operated by Wilderness Destinations. I spent two days at each camp – Jao, Mombo, and DumaTau – which are all a quick hop from each other on a small plane. It was my first time visiting and, even though I was told many times this was “the Rolls-Royce of safaris”, I was dubious about the idea that everyone catches this love bug for safari and an appreciation for the vast wildness of the land. But I absolutely understand it now. There are luxury properties where you can go and luxuriate and do nothing, or there are places like this, where you come home with such unforgettable memories that sitting on a pool lounger all day can feel like a waste.
My favourite places to visit are the ones that throw me off a little bit. Everyone – particularly Americans, I guess – loves Italy, France and the UK because we have this image in our minds of these places that we want to see in real life, probably influenced by films and TV. Of course, I love these places too – how could you not? But I’ve also come to love places that were not on my bucket list but managed to surprise me. That’s countries like Austria and Portugal, Qatar and Bahrain.
It’s pretty hard to pick, but my top three hotels in the world are Le Sirenuse in Positano, La Mamounia in Marrakech, and Hotel Sacher Wien in Vienna. I’ve come to appreciate the different hospitality styles that they each execute so well. They’re not just fancy, leaving you to your own devices to understand their hometowns. Instead, they’re the most perfect launchpads for exploring – no matter how many times you’ve been, they always unlock a wnew element to your travels.
I just had a great stay at The Emory. It’s such a feat of modern design. For the classics, I love Claridge’s and will never forget a lobster wellington I once had in the Fumoir. But right now, I’m most excited about Raffles London at The OWO, given the sheer scale of the project. It’s a massive undertaking with so much history – I hear the best room in the house was once Churchill’s former office.
The most captivating place I’ve ever been to is Posada Ayana in Uruguay. When I visited, they had just completed the construction of one of James Turrell’s Skyspace artworks. I had the opportunity to experience the Skyspace several times with James himself, including one morning at sunrise. You sit in silence for a couple of hours as the natural light blends with the light programmed by him – it was unforgettable.
One of my most memorable meals on holiday was with my friends Yolanda Edwards and Matt Hranek. They invited me to stay with them in Sicily at Tru Contrade. Our last dinner at the house was cooked by an army of Italian nonnas. They laid a beautiful table outside, but right as we sat down, Mount Etna began to erupt and a cloud of ash wafted over our dinner. Instead of heading inside, we chose to enjoy the meal with an umbrella in one hand and a fork in the other, as the dinner table slowly became covered with a thin layer of small rocks. It was magical.
For places in New York, The Polo Bar is right up there (when there’s room for me on the reservations list). You’re guaranteed a good time with its fun, buzzy atmosphere, as well as a great meal – though I never order the burger. For a classic old New York bar with no frills, I love Ear Inn. And for something more innovative, I think Sondre Askin at Undercote – hidden beneath the restaurant Cote – is a master of his craft. The Carlyle is my favourite hotel in the city, not just for its incredible staff and rooms, but for the food and drink in the lobby that attracts so many fun New Yorkers from a bygone time. Bemelmans Bar, Dowling’s and Café Carlyle are all must-visits.
I grew up visiting the beach towns in the north east of the United States – not the Hamptons, but the lesser known and less flashy spots like Newport and Watch Hill, Rhode Island. I usually return to these places to relive those memories in August when I’m priced out of visiting Europe. These days, a beach trip might also involve heading out of New York to Palm Beach or Miami, which are now connected via a great train called the Brightline. It’s easy, affordable and usually very efficient.
@ZacharyWeiss
The western United States are so road trip-friendly. They’re also so spread out that it requires multiple road trips. Some standouts for me have been the California coastline and Yellowstone National Park. Those were some of the first places where I felt truly in awe of the scale of the world, with the kind of natural beauty that doesn’t need any bells and whistles. I’d also recommend the two Auberge properties in Napa for a family holiday. Parents can enjoy wine and great food in a way they wouldn’t at home, while the kids can live out their California resort dreams at the pool.
I have some great friends who play polo. During the winter months, they compete in snow polo – surreal matches played on snow-covered fields or frozen lakes. On the travel docket, I have visits to Aspen and St Moritz to watch snow polo, which has become an annual trip over the last six or seven years. This time in St Moritz, I’ll be partnering with the Kulm Hotel to host a kick-off party for players and guests at the Kulm Country Club, alongside my DJ pal Arman Naféei. After that, I’ll start planning for 2025, and India is high on my list.
A few nights are never enough time to properly explore a place. If I was strapped for time, I’d choose somewhere I’d visited before and wouldn’t feel the pressure of having to check lots of boxes of sights and meals. Bordeaux, both the city and the countryside, comes to mind for a short break, as does Genoa in Liguria, where I was given a true local’s guide by the creators of a great new boutique hotel called Palazzo Durazzo. I’d also love to return to Buenos Aires or Mexico City.
I have more pairs of swim trunks than I care to admit… Some of my favourites are from Thorsun, Frescobol Carioca and Hemingsworth. They aren’t particularly innovative in cut, but they’re comfortable and dry quickly. Depending on the crowd or the type of resort I’m visiting, I sometimes pack a terry cloth blazer from Ralph Lauren or Bask, which is hands down the most stylish and practical way to dry off after a dip.
During any trip I always pack my navy double-breasted suit from Brunello Cucinelli. I sometimes break up the set and only use the trousers and blazer. I also pack my white Sid Mashburn denim, as many white Oxford collar button-down shirts from Schostal as I can fit in my bag, and a pair of brown suede tassel loafers from Belgian Shoes, which I just learned have been discontinued, but there are many other options out there. My current favourite sunglasses are from a bespoke eyewear maker in Paris called Maison Clerc.
I need to explore more of Asia. Japan, in particular, feels like such an alternate reality compared to ours, and I love their approach to living. Even in the most hectic, urban parts of that country, there’s still an underlying sense of calm and order and thoughtfulness that New York or London can’t offer.
One of my most memorable recent trips was to Solomeo, when I visited the home of Italian designer Brunello Cucinelli. I was there to explore the world he’s built in the Italian hamlet. What was once an abandoned town has been transformed into a flourishing community of craftsmanship – 800 people in the area now work for the family business. I toured the brand’s headquarters and tried its wines. Cucinelli's commitment to respect and fairness extends to every aspect of his work, from the hand-crafted luxury pieces to the limited-production Castello di Solomeo wine. This attention to detail is inspiring and the area itself is somewhere I can’t wait to revisit.
For more travel inspiration, follow @ZacharyWeiss
@ZacharyWeiss
All products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however we may make commission on some products.
DISCLAIMER: We endeavour to always credit the correct original source of every image we use. If you think a credit may be incorrect, please contact us at [email protected].
