In this series, we flip the script on travel and hospitality PR pros to see where they’re headed and what they’re taking with them. This week, we spoke with Gabriele Sappok-Klink, partner at IMAGINE PR and Stephanie Dowling, SVP of PR and corporate communications for Preferred Travel Group to discover where they’re headed and what they don’t leave home without. 

Gabriele Sappok-Klink | Partner at IMAGINE PR

I hope to return to Asia this year; it's been a while, and Japan is at the top of my list. I've visited Hokkaido, Tokyo, and Kyoto before, but this time, we plan to explore lesser-known parts of the country on a walking trip with our new client, Walk Japan. I just need to get some really good hiking boots!

Africa is always on my mind, and September is typically the month I spend on the continent. I'm hoping to return to Singita Pamushana in Zimbabwe. It's one of Africa's great lodges, located in a lesser-known part of the continent.

Regarding Europe, my husband/business partner and I have tickets to the Olympics, so we'll definitely spend some time in Paris this summer. However, I also hope to revisit our client Cape of Senses at Lake Garda, Italy's largest lake in the northern part of the country. Northern Italy and the Dolomites are having a moment for a reason. The southern slopes of the European Alps are such a beautiful area with fantastic mountain and lake views and amazing food.

Packing list:

• On Cloud slip-on sneakers are great in the air and on the ground.
• Hand cream because the soap on airplanes is hideous.
• Lip balm because the air is dry up there.
• Inflatable neck pillow that can double as a regular pillow.
• Silicone earplugs because they actually work.
• Melatonin for the second night when flying east.

Stephanie Dowling | Senior Vice President of Public Relations and Corporate Communications for Preferred Travel Group

Last year I traveled thousands of miles visiting NYC, Miami, Chicago, Maui, LA, DC, Santa Barbara and Newport Beach, along with international destinations like London, Singapore, Barcelona, St. Croix, Venice, Florence, Rome, Paris, Nice, Pompei, and Tuscany. Upcoming travel will take me around the world and to a new international destination each month starting with India and then on to Brazil, England, Italy, Greece, Portugal, Australia, Singapore, Japan, Poland, and France. I’m leaving for India in a couple weeks and the packing has already begun! Since I’m a mom of three, I do try to take my family along with me on my travels. They love it and I get to spend that extra time with them mixing business and leisure. We’ve had so many amazing adventures. 

Packing List:

Basically everything needed to fight jet lag and to make travel easier and more seamless. We can’t all be like Taylor Swift and live by the ‘Jet Lag is a Choice’ mantra, but I’ve found a few things that help me get through some of the most grueling time zone changes and adjust a little more quickly. I also want as little down time and re-acclimation time when I get home so I can instantly resume mom duties and show up for them. My packing list includes a lot of gadgets. My family calls me the gadget queen and I’m the one on the plane with all the latest travel gear.  

Here are a few of my go-tos that I always have on my packing list.

For jet lag: 

• B12 Patches by the Good Patch - It has plant based ingredients and helps me wake up and acclimate to a new time zone quickly. 
• Vitamin Powder Packs for Water and a Reusable Water Bottle – Hydration is key and I always add additional vitamins and hydration just to make sure I’m staying as healthy as possible while traveling. Right now I’m loving 1 Above in berry flavor with Super Antioxidants and Electrolytes. 
• Silicone Ear Plugs by Bechein (on Amazon) – They are the best ear plugs I have found and help me sleep on planes and in hotels. Plus they are comfortable and I can wear them all night. I can’t risk not getting good sleep when you need to land and run off to meetings quickly and the days are very full with client, media and hotelier meetings, and meeting with my team. Only one warning, they do such a good job at blocking out noise you may miss your alarm when it’s time to get up. 
• Eye Mask by Drowsy – I use this all the time. It’s silk and has aromatherapy, and is instantly relaxing and soothing for long flights, hotels or reacclimating back at home. 
• Eye Patches – Even if I’m feeling jet lagged, I try to hide it the best I can and using an under eye patch for dark circles and puffiness is my go to morning routine. I love Wander Beauty Baggage Claim in gold foil. Feels so fancy. 

Technology/Gadgets:

• Universal Adapter – I’ve used so many different ones and the best one I’ve found is from PWR Mobile and is both a plug in and a power bank. It’s a fast charger, with adapters for US, EU, AU & Asia. 
• Apple Air Tags – I put one in every bag and wallet. I’ve had to learn the hard way when two airlines lost my suitcase and it ended up at the headquarters of a third in a completely different part of the country. I was apple to track it down like a crime scene investigator and get my bag back. I was highly motivated because it included a bottle of wine from my recent trip to Italy, but it worked! 
• Laptop Screen Extender – I’m always working off my laptop in hotel rooms, cafés, airport lounges or on the plane, and I really missed having access to two monitors. VILVA offers a great monitor that’s lightweight, affordable, and easy to travel with. I don’t travel without it anymore. 

Ease of Travel: 

• Steamer – I always pack my travel steamer. It’s the fastest way to refresh clothing and get on your way! I add a rose or lavender essential oil to the water for a little added zhoosh. 
• Packing Cubes – I always pack with these and have found I can get at least 30-40% more clothing in my suitcases, which makes a big difference whether you are just carrying on or when you have longer haul, multi-city trips. I often have several stops when I’m traveling internationally, making it worth the trip going overseas. I usually color code my cubes based on cities, especially when there are different climates and reasons for travel. It is really helpful when I add on a couple days for leisure and like to get out and explore. 
• Lastly, I believe in having the trifecta when it comes to security: Global Entry, TSA Precheck and Clear. Depending on the airport and the lines, I regularly navigate between the three for quicker entry and smoother departures.