Jules Perowne
The editions of Condé Nast Traveler in China, India, the Middle East, the United Kingdom, Italy and Spain , with the support of the editors who work on the international edition from New York, have come together to launch a global message of traveling optimism: #UnderOneSky. This inspiring initiative brings together interviews with personalities such as Francis Ford Coppola, Cara Delevingne, Patricia Anastassiadis, Alexa Chung, Susie Cave or Jules Perowne, the protagonist of this conversation.
Jules Perowne is the entrepreneur behind Perowne International, a company that offers advice to brands in the clothing sector. luxury hotels and international travel.
Its main function is create custom campaigns that meet the specific needs of businesses, and for this they have a brilliant team of experts in the field. Who better than her to put the finishing touch to our #UnderOneSky conversations?
Condé Nast Traveler: A travel anecdote that you have not confessed until now?
Jules Perowney: I am an expert in losing journalists on the trips I organize. On my first trip I lost a journalist in Antigua . He stayed with a bongo player in Shirley Heights and he didn't come down for 24 hours. Another time I organized a trip to a bali resort where I lost a journalist for 2 days: she ran away to fight the roosters in the mountains . She came back very happy.
I also had to flee Cuba when she was 20 years old (wearing a wig) with my best friend. Basically, we got kidnapped one night after having one too many cocktails at the floridita bar and we ended up in an underground bunker in the outskirts of Havana.
We had to climb out a window, crawl through the garden and do hitchhiking back to town . We were advised to leave Cuba the next day, so We took the first flight to Mexico and we hid in Women Island for the next 10 days.
This has been the renovation of the Castello di Ugento in Italy.
Q: Your favorite little secret hotel?
A: Castello di Ugento, in the town of Ugento (Puglia) a beautiful old 13th century romantic castle it has just been restored. It has exceptional frescoes and only nine beautiful suites . It is a fascinating region: beautiful olive groves, wonderful White sand beaches , hidden caves and the crystal clear waters of the Ionian sea . Plus, it has some of the best food I've ever had.
Q: Your favorite classic hotel in the whole world?
A: Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc . If I had to define glamour, it would be this ehotel. I don't think there is any such beautiful place in the world. It was built as a haven for writers in 1890 and used to be open in winter.
I love its history, its anecdotes and every corner, from the legendary cabins to the iconic rose garden . On the other hand, it also has the best tennis courts in which I have played.
Q: A great little place away from the crowd?
A: Norfolk. I would hide in holkham forest with my dogs on a cold and windy day, when there are no tourists.
Swimming pool of the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc
Q: If you could enjoy a dish in a restaurant right now, what would it be?
A: The artichoke and green bean salad Café Antonia, at Le Bristol Paris, or the lobster with Bloody Mary sauce in the Nantucket White Elephant. Crazy.
Q: The book you read that inspired you to travel or at least to dream of a place...
A: I am a historian and therefore I am inspired by history. I loved those romantic books by Noel Barber about wartime France and about Singapore What Tanamera Y goodbye to France . Read the wine war to obtain adequate information about what happened in the wine and champagne regions of France when the Nazis came, it's fascinating. When I was younger, I would contact travel companies for their brochures and read them in bed at night.
Other of my favorite titles, more recent, are The Riviera Set by Mary S. Lovell and The Husband Hunters: Social Climbing in London and New York by Anne de Courcy . I read this last one before going to New England and to travel to Newport, Rhode Island to see the mansions built there in the Gilded Age.
Q: The movie that surprised you with its location?
A: The Last of the Mohicans. I've been obsessed with the US ever since I saw it, specifically New England.
Q: A place you fell in love with?
A:Tanzania . Visiting the Serengeti and being able to experience such a special place with someone you love is another level. My favorite place is Singita Sabora , an accommodation with luxury camping tents in the plains of the Serengeti.
He is a bit scary when noises are heard at night, but he is deeply romantic.
Q: What is your trusted airline, lounge or train and why?
A: I love British Airways. When I'm exhausted, traveling the world, and I see the British flag shining in the distance on the tail of the plane, I get very nostalgic.
Q: What is the best store you have discovered while traveling and what did you buy there?
A: The Eden Rock-St Barths store is a treasure.
Q: What song always reminds you of vacations?
A: Totally cheesy but I love **Storms in Africa by Enya . In fact, I'm listening to it right now...
Q: Your favorite place in the world?
A: Having lunch in the Singita Grumeti reserve, on top of the Sasakwa Hill, Tanzania.
Q: Next destination in mind?
A: I had booked a great trip to Asia which, unfortunately, I had to cancel and I want to recover as soon as I can. First of all, I will go to Kamalaya for a week of rest and relaxation . then i want to go to the remote Anambas Islands of Indonesia , to a new property called Bawah Reserve.
The impressive environment in which Kamalaya is located
Q: The postcard that has surprised you the most?
A: The beach of Holkham.
Q: Your favorite look for the holidays?
A: beach hair, a Heidi Klein swimsuit with a caftan and my Panama hat.
Q: Three accessories that are always in your wardrobe on vacation?
A: Kaftans by Marie France Van Damme, a good pair of wedges and a wicker basket from Rae Feather.
Q: Three items that you always carry in your travel bag?
A: These face wipes from Works, Masque Crème à la Rose Noire by Sisley -which I put on as soon as I get on the plane- and the Resurfacing Mask by Tata Harper , ideal for when I have jet lag.
Q: Your trusted brand for luggage?
A: Brics, I have all sizes in camo green. Have a light suitcase and bright that weighs less than 3kg , ideal for traveling around Africa with the luggage restrictions they have.
Q: A person, property or place that you know is doing amazing things to make the world a better place?
A: Islas Secas, in Panama . They are protecting a vast area of ocean off the coast of Central America. Marine conservation is very important nowadays.
Q: Your favorite place to stay?
A: The Newt in Somerset lofts. I like your spa and if it could, it would go into hibernation once every few months for a good rest. I'm getting to know the area and Bruton (UK) antique shops are fantastic . I also love your chapel.
Secondly, Norfolk, where I have a little house . The best food in the area is in The Duck Inn, Stanhoe . Every day I leave my mother's B&B to stroll along Wells Beach I cross the swamp and streams and come to a secret beach called east hills . Pure happiness.
Q: If you had to choose, which of your amazing hotels, trips, villas or destinations is your favorite?
A: It has to be Africa . From exploring the real Kenya, with the Carr Hartleys, to the Serengeti, with Singita. I also love Zimbabwe and have traveled there extensively in recent years with the brilliant team at Mavros. My favorite accommodation is Matetsi.
At the end of this year I will go to the Okavango Delta for the first time and it is one of the most extraordinary phenomena in the world: it is a delta that does not flow into the sea, creating an impressive ecosystem with incredible biological diversity.
I will stay in the new Xigera Safari Lodge, opening in the Moremi Game Reserve , on the east side of the delta, this summer. It will be something very special and there will even be a house on a baobab tree for those who want a totally secluded experience.