In this series, we shift the spotlight from client coverage to the PR pros behind the scenes, discovering the destinations they’re traveling to and what they’re bringing with them. This week, we spoke with Ross Belfer, Co-Founder & Principal of RG2 Communications, and Brendan Drewniany, Head of PR at Black Tomato, to discover where they’ve been of late, the next locales they’re headed to and the items they don't leave home without.

Ross Belfer, Co-Founder & Principal, RG2 Communications

The past two years of travel unfolded toward the unfamiliar — places still humming to their own rhythm. In October 2024, I traveled to Port Antonio, Jamaica, splitting time between Geejam and the new Pompey. Reaching it — a two-hour drive from Kingston — was its own rite of passage. Later that fall, Bacalar, Mexico, anchored by a surreal, seven-colored lagoon, demanded the same kind of patience — and rewarded it tenfold.

Come Christmas and New Years 2024, I chose a staycation in New York City. Without the usual holiday travel rush, I opted into my home city of NYC's cultural pulse — museum mornings, gallery afternoons, late dinners downtown.

2025 opened with a work trip to London, developing new ideas with my business partner and RG2 co-founder, Grace Hitchen Hillsley. A much-needed slow lunch at Lita Marylebone — fresh breads, crudo, and handmade pastas — offered a brief reset before continuing a packed travel schedule.

In April 2025, I traveled to Italy for three-days at Milan Design Week, where we launched Neit Whisky in partnership with Alcova — a project that mirrored the creative spirit we continue to champion -- as well as a night spent conversing with friends at Casa Cabana, the magazine's annual fête.

In May or June, I’ll return to Tel Aviv to experience The David Kempinski, then continue to Crete for a stay at Isla Brown Chania, and onward to Georgia’s Lopota Lake Resort — each destination offering a different rhythm of discovery.

Summer will bring a slower pace: a week at an art residency on Filicudi Island, framed by visits to Napoli and Villa Rosmarino in Camogli — places where time feels unhurried and essential.

Packing list: 

• Monocle Wool Socks: Perfect for battling overzealous airplane A/C.
• Muji Grey Sweatshirt: A functional, minimal classic.
• Astier de Villatte Gold-Lined Notebook: For recording essential notes, ideas, and fleeting inspirations.
• Makr Commuter Bag: Durable, understated, and always by my side on work trips.
• Maison Marie Louise Roll-On Perfumes: Because scent memory is real.
• A Book: Lately, Somesuch Editions — a compact collection of contemporary short stories — has traveled with me.
• Rolex Oyster Watch: A timeless reminder to stay grounded.
• Leica Minilux or Contax G1 Cameras: For capturing places the way they actually feel.
• A Surplus of Kodak Portra 400 Film: Because you never know when the light will be just right.

Brendan Drewniany, Head of PR, Black Tomato 

I am headed to Vietnam (my first visit) in early May and I could not be more excited – it’s going to be balmy and beautiful. I’m headed to check out the ‘secret’ side of Vietnam; start with Central Vietnam, landing in Danang and heading to Hue, Hoi An, and then off to the remote Phu Yen province to stay at the heavenly Bai San Ho. The weather in Vietnam is all over the place – which can make packing a particular challenge as there are so many microclimates but central and coastal are similar. Hoi and Hue should be dry and hot with a smidge of rainfall. Same for the coast. I love a stylish White Lotus resort moment but I also hugely value comfort and breezy items that are re-wearable and pair nicely with lots of options. Don’t get too bogged down by patterns and let them overtake. Pack versatile shoes – do not overpack shoes for Southeast Asia!

I’m also headed to Mallorca in July for a friend’s 40th birthday bash at the fabulous Grand Hotel Son Net. I LOVE Spain but this is my first time in Mallorca. Similar vibes to Vietnam apply here. Dry and HOT with breezes. You really only need a few staples that you can mix and match without being wasteful of space. I always leave enough room for some trinkets or talismans / gifts from being in situ wherever I am going. Sitges in Spain is great for a chill beach vibe that few really know about and it’s an easy train ride from Barcelona. Little Beach House in Sitges is super cute. The food and vibe in Spain is hard to miss no matter where you go, whether Balearics or even green Northern Spain.

Packing list:

• Sneakers: comfortable and suitable for lots of walking, biking, and exercise if the spirit moves me (a rarity on vacation but I like to have the option), but stylish enough that you can wear them out without looking like a clunky tourist. My personal favorites are the Oncloud Cloud 6s. Any of those variety which are slip on but fitted enough you can run and workout in them. I have these great blue ones that are hard to find but I found them at Westerlind in Great Barrington, MA (there is an NYC Westerlind boutique). They have some of the better colorways and options. But they go fast.
• S’well water bottle: trying to cut down on single use plastics and this is important in many destinations, especially Southeast Asia. Just drink filtered water!
• Headphones: Bose noise cancelling headphones – absolutely essential
• AIR TAGS: on everything
• Shoes: SABAH!! Obsessed. Get them like a month before you travel to break them in and make sure you go into a store where you can try them on – you need to have them run small because they stretch but they are the most comfortable shoes on the planet and you can wear them easily to the beach and then to a nice dinner. They also get better with age and patina. Shop – Sabah | The Shopkeepers – they have a great shop in the Hamptons
• Shoes: for the plane, Belgian loafers all the way. Supremely comfortable and chic. Belgian Shoes • New York, New York
• Shirts: easy. Lacoste polos. And a variety of shortsleeve shirts by Reese.
• Pants: Jeans by Frame – they are all great. A few great pairs of jeans will get great use on any trip.
• Sweaters:
• Shorts: I am a J Crew fanatic for shorts! And vintage OP corduroy shorts are a staple.
• Activewear: Anything ALO
• Universal adaptor! Always. You just never know.
• Great shades – Persol are my favorite but I do have a penchant for Oliver Peoples. I just tend to lose these! Illesteva is also great.
• Rimowa always for checked bag. Carry on I usually opt for an LL Bean tote but it can be cumbersome if you have a lot of layovers to lug it around.
• Sundek for swim trunks – durable and stylish.
• Terry polos and button downs by Eton.
• SPF: Hampton Sun spray – it’s the best way to tan
• For Relaxing: Aviator Nation sweatpants. Just a pair. They are supremely comfortable.
• For the face: on the plane, I always keep Mario Badescu sprays (if you aren’t in a pod spare your seatmates and do this in the bathroom) to hydrate. Also the eye roller from the Blue Lagoon. And the eye cream from Blue Lagoon Iceland morning and night.
• Reading material: a copy of Travel + Leisure, Town & Country and FT How to Spend It.
• A tote that you can mash up in a checked bag– great for toting around things to the beach in case the hotel doesn’t have. I like my AIRMAIL tote but any of them will do.
• To tell time: Rolex Explorer. Not flashy, practical and durable.

Packing tips: always pack a full day outfit in your carry-on including a bathing suit if that’s on the menu. Or if you are skiing, pack all the essentials and bring it on your person.