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, Ben Pundole, Susie Cave or Cheraé Robinson, protagonist of this conversation.
Any inveterate traveler will want track down Cheraé Robinson . She is the brain that hides behind Tastemakers Africa, a company that invites people to travel to Africa and get to know it through art . Different designers, creators, musicians, cooks or any other discipline that accompany travelers in unique experiences and in a very personal way . There is no better way to get to know a destination than through a cultural connection and Cheraé Robinson has proven it giving voice and popularity to many talents.
Condé Nast Traveler: One thing you've never told anyone about your travels.
Cherae: Once, I had a physical collapse from exhaustion that scared me more than I ever imagined. I was in Bombay, India, at the Trident Bandra-Kurla Hotel , for the World Economic Forum; he had been on a serious travel spree for most of the year. I was in a meeting and I started to fall asleep, sweat and dizzy. I excused myself and went to my room. I ended up sleeping for almost 48 hours straight, intermittently waking up to go to the bathroom. I felt so exhausted that I couldn't even tell anyone what was happening. On the third day, I realized that I was alone in the middle of Bombay . My family had no idea where I was and my absence had become so normalized that no one thought to ask. From that moment on, I changed the way I communicate with people when I travel.
Q: What is your favorite secret boutique hotel?
A: This question is difficult because I live for a small and secret hotel. If I had to choose my absolute favourite, it would be Jnane Tamsna in Marrakech, Morocco . The property itself is absolutely stunning and being owned by a black woman makes it a must for me. The owner, Meryanne Loum-Martin, is that kind of person who embodies your life goal she, she is a creative hostess and she has amazing style. I had one of the most meaningful experiences of my life on a recent stay there. It was a gathering of women, largely of African descent, called the Rouse , founded by former CNN anchors Isha Sesay and Zain Verjee, along with Suneeta Olympio and Chidi Afulezi. Jnane Tamsna's team put together an incredible array of experiences, from daily gatherings in the estate's clearings, to dinners that required guards to meet us at the gate. only to end up in a private textile museum . It was phenomenal and the kind of thing you can only get at a small hotel. I would live there if I could.
**Q: What is your favorite classic hotel? **
A: The Radisson Blu, Dakar Sea Plaza. When I started thinking about expanding Tastemakers Africa, I wanted to add Senegal to our destinations. I had seen some pictures of the hotel online, but nothing could do it justice . I got to the lobby and immediately noticed the view of the infinity pool. It's a dream. I love the African touches throughout the hotel, from the art to the Afrobeats you can find in the bar until late . Beyond the pool, the food is delicious and the service impeccable, and the location makes it easy to get anywhere in Dakar. Although on weekends you may want to stay there because his club, Little Buddha, is on fire!
Q: An amazing little place away from the crowd?
A: Ada, Ghana is a small corner about two hours from the capital. It is the perfect weekend getaway to do nothing and fall in love with the place. There's a place called Norman's Folly , owned by a British-Ghanaian who worked in finance and returned to his homeland to retire. You would never expect such an arrangement, you are driving through a fishing village and the place can even be confused. Once you go through the entrance, which is freely used, It's like something out of a James Bond movie. . You feel like you are a spy in hiding. There are tons of vintage artwork, an incredible collection of whiskey and cigars, and a kitchen serving a Thai-Ghanaian fusion menu with the best coconut rice. Aside from this site, if you would like to see more people, you could venture out to Aqua Safari which is a larger complex in the village , where you can take jet skis or a pontoon boat, which I had never heard of before visiting Ada. It's all very relaxing vibes. Personally, I prefer to take an Airbnb that has a boat and enjoy the weekend with lots of wine on the pier.
Q: If you could have a feast right now, where would it be?
A: This one is hard! I am obsessed with food. If I had to think of one meal I'd like to be teleported to would be Kith/Kin in Washington DC . I have three words for you: banana bread . Listen, I've grown up loving plantains, whether it's plantain chips in Ghana, boiled plantain with Nigerian stew, patacones in Colombia... No matter how they're made, I'm here to eat plantain. But never in my life had I had a banana for dessert and I never would have imagined the pleasure of a banana turned into a cinnamon bun. . Chef Kwame is a master at mixing African and Caribbean ingredients to do something unexpected. other of my favorites They are the fried snapper, the goat round and the grilled octopus . When I'm on one of my many bouts of veganism, cucumber, avocado, and mushrooms become my bananas! Living in Mexico City taught me to eat whole fish, living in Ghana showed me that it is the best way to do it.
Q: What book did you read that inspired you to travel?
A: Salman Rushdie's Midnight's Children inspires me to return to India . It's a magical narrative that does a good job of centering it in the physical place of the narrative. I used to travel to India quite often when I was working for CIMMYT, an agricultural research center of the World Bank. I was lucky enough to go to all those little farming communities through Punjab and Madhya Pradesh and even Bihar in the East. India is a beautiful country, especially if you can get out of the cities. This book makes me want to go back and do a Vipassana meditation retreat , something that is on my list of things to do.
Q: A movie whose location would blow your mind?
A: Queen & Slim makes me want to go back to the American South, especially to Savannah, Georgia, Crescent City, Florida, and New Orleans. . After slavery, my family became farmers and ranchers, and eventually migrant workers before the generation finished college and started working in industry. I have traveled to almost every continent , but while watching the movie I wanted to revisit those places where my opportunities were forged. The cinematography is stunning, as is the romance of the southern back roads. . I'm putting together a leisurely drive through the south, and if I can find someone to do it and recreate that car scene, all the better!
Q: A place where you fell in love?
A: I'm not sure everyone is ready for these answers! I think a big part of the reason I love to travel, and more specifically to travel alone, are the love stories that are created . I've fallen in love a few places, some relationships longer term than others, but Mexico City was probably the most magical . My current ex (we are still friends) and I met in Mexico City, where I lived and he was on a business trip. We meet for dinner on the terrace of Condesa DF , which has incredible tamarind margaritas and amazing views of the city. Afterwards, we improvised a pub crawl and that night turned out to be one of the best of my life. We stopped at a bar called Pata Negra , where a man treated us to a few shots of mezcal because he thought we were the most beautiful couple he had ever met (we weren't a couple and had only met a few hours before). We ended up at one of my favorite places in Condesa, called Xampañeria and we were drinking the rest of the night , bubbly drinks in these small, 1920s-style crystal champagne flutes. Mexico City as a backdrop is enchanting for lovers. Stroll through the Zócalo and the Fine Arts, including through Plaza Garibaldi , with its striking architecture and romantic, wide streets, is like living in a movie.
**Q: What is the means of transportation that makes your life easier? **
A: Definitely Delta Air Lines . Some of that choice is also nostalgia. I made my first international trip to Guatemala City when I lived in Atlanta and I worked for the US Centers for Disease Control, and I flew Delta. It became the airline of my hometown, the means by which I traveled to almost 40 countries and the place where I grew up as a traveler . I remember when I reached Diamond Medallion level, it was that “mom, I did it” moment. We've gotten to the point where my son frowns if we're not flying Delta. I think it's the best airline in the US . The collaboration with Sean Jean was one of the best from a fashion perspective and honestly, they treat me very well. Nine times out of ten I have a flight attendant with personality and strong connections, and have the most direct flights to Africa from any airline. I'm a big fan.
Q: What is the best store you have discovered in your travels?
A: MoonLook in Paris . i found this place while in Afropunk town in 2018 and it's wonderful. The owner, Nelly Wandji, is originally from Cameroon, but she has been in Paris for years working in luxury marketing. . The store, which looks more like a collection of her favorite things, is the best for contemporary finds from african designers . One of my vacation must-haves is my AAKS raffia bag that I bought last time that I was in MoonLook. It's a perfect blend of fiery orange and navy blue with a brown leather strap. It's my go-to when I'm traveling in search of warmer weather (which is always) and need something nice yet functional. The designer is from Ghana and MoonLook is one of the few global suppliers . I love discoveries like this.
Q: A song that reminds you of vacations?
A: A tie between Ultralight Beam and Highlights from Kanye West's Life of Pablo album . Every trip I make for me is like a blessing. And these two songs really evoke that for me. I remember once I was in Johannesburg, South Africa, at one of my favorite underground venues, Artivist, and I was throwing a party as a DJ during my visit. I think I put on Highlights three times during my session because of the energy it brings. It literally says, "Tell my mom, tell my mom, that I just want my whole life to be just the best moments," and this is how travel is, the best moments.
Q: Your favorite place in the whole world?
A: Pololū Valley Beach on the Big Island of Hawaii It took my breath away and I'm dying to go back. I love many places for many reasons, but this one has me in awe. The walk to the beach is impressive and there are no people. You can have both the road and the beach to yourself depending on the moment . Once you go down the mountain there is a little river that meanders from the valley to the ocean and it is idyllic. Background, lush green covered mountains tumbling down to a black sand beach.
Q: What is the next destination you want to visit?
A: It may seem cliche, but I have Bali at the top of my list . Much of my travel is related to building Tastemakers Africa, whether in Europe for conferences, across Africa to grow our platform, or in the US for investor and community connections. It's rare that he goes somewhere just because. I dream of seeing the Tegalalang rice fields, getting on the Bali swing and making a cocktail at The Edge . Maybe it's my Instagram feed, but I have to.
Q: What is your most memorable sight?
A: The one at a table in the corner in the Boom Boom Room at the top of The Standard hotel in New York City . I am a New York native and I remember as a child always being fascinated by people on top of buildings. Every time I have a drink with my girls here, i can't help but look at the hudson river and the lights of downtown new york city and feel like i'm living a dream.
One of the most spectacular landscapes on the island of Bali are the Tegalalang rice fields.
Q: Your vacation look?
A: I am a shoe lover and my favorites for the holidays They are my Brother Vellies Lamu sandals . I have them in natural color and they are gorgeous, somehow, furry, fluffy and perfect all at the same time. I'm a dress girl, so normally I'm wearing a cute dress from Bello Edu (a fabulous brand from Ghana) or Selfi (a brand from Cape Town, South Africa) . The rest is made up of my red Ruby Woo lipstick, some statement earrings (I'm currently wearing Rebecca de Ravenel's collaboration with Aquazzura) and my favorite sunglasses. They are from Zara and I swear they go with any look.
Q: The items that are always in your wardrobe on vacation?
A: My Converse x Comme des Garçons , which are essential for any party, a vintage floral blouse I bought at Installation Brooklyn, it's perfect because it's a little rough but it's also smooth so it's just the right amount of sugar and spice and then always a lingerie dress . I have them in many colors, they do not wrinkle and I can use them at any time of the day.
Q: The essentials in your toiletry bag?
A: Peppermint Black soap with wild honey in travel size, Memo Paris Lalibela is becoming my new favorite fragrance after almost two decades being faithful to Chanel Coco Mademoiselle. To keep me hydrated, I love them Kaeme's shea butters They are very good and protect my skin from dryness, a consequence of flights of more than ten hours.
Q: Your trusted luggage brand?
A: I'm pretty terrible at this. You'd think I'd have found a sponsor by now (I'm here!). Currently, I'm maxed out on a Samsonite , but who knows what I'll be wearing in a month.
Q: A person who is making the world a better place?
A: I am really moved by the work that Dash Harris is doing with Afro-Latino communities. . From his documentary series, Negro, to his travel company, AfroLatino, he is tackling cultural preservation themes through storytelling and travel . As someone who has lived in Mexico City for three years and has traveled through Central and South America, I have seen that the plight of Afro-descendants in this region is often unknown misunderstood and misrepresented. Dash's work is to give people a voice as they use tourism as a bridge in understanding and an income generator for communities whose cultures are used to advertise their countries while they are excluded from economic benefit. I really commend his efforts.
Q: Your place for a long vacation at home?
A: The high rooms of Arlo Nomad in New York They are the place where great ideas are born. I love having a west facing room and see the reflection of the sunrise in the scratches of the city . I'm a downtown girl, so Arlo's location allows me to be close to my office in Chelsea, but also to many of my favorite hangouts and drinking spots. I love Hudson River Park, especially around the Tribeca/West Village/Chelsea areas . I could easily spend an entire summer day getting lost there. Once it's time for dinner, I'm going straight to Ferris . It's a small restaurant in a strange part of town, but the food will make you travel from anywhere to try it. My favorite item on the menu is their black bass. , is something from another world and is made to share. One piece of advice: call early and let them know that you are going to want this dish. They only have a few per night. The cocktails are also super delicious and I'm not quite sure who's running his Spotify but it's always playing 90s R&B or Fela Kuti or both , which normally coincides with my life.
Q: What has been your favorite travel experience?
A: This is very, very difficult. If I had to name a place, it would be the Banyan Tree Mayakoba in Riviera Maya, Mexico. I'm not a resort person nor do I normally stay in hotel chains, but in my farming days, I attended a meeting of the International Fertilizer Association and had the pleasure of staying here for a few days. I didn't want to leave. I felt like I was trapped inside a tropical jungle while I was on the beach at the same time. . Everything was perfect, but not in a way that was cold. You feel luxuriously amazing there and I'm dying to go back.