Introducing Crystal Meers: Writer, Editor, and Global Traveler

Hometown: Los Angeles via New York City via Sag Harbor via San Francisco.

Occupation: Writer, editor.

Favorite destinations: New York, Jamaica, Japan, France, England, Big Sur, the Studio at Verana in Yelapa, Emily's couch in Chelsea, Portland, Oregon.

Dying to visit: Sweden, Denmark, Russia, India, Ireland, Blackberry Farm. 

Bizarre travel rituals: Packing beauty products 24 hours in advance; packing clothes an hour before running to the airport.

In-flight relaxation regime: Who can relax? Travel is exciting!

Always in carry-on: Lip balm, eye cream, snacks, magazines.

Concierge or DIY? 99 percent DIY, 1 percent "Where's the cheap fluff-and-fold around here?"

See it all or take it easy? See it all while making a list of things to see next time.

Drive or be driven? Be driven. I live in L.A. I spend enough time behind the wheel. 

Travel hero: The lady in coach with the two kids who aren't crying.

Weirdest thing seen on travels: The German-meets-Argentine breakfast plate at Boca Chica in Buenos Aires. A vision of lunch meat, aspic, eggs, and olives. No thanks.

Best hotel amenity: Free high-speed wifi feels like a gift. Pillow menus. The Gramercy Park Hotel's collection of indie beauty and grooming products. 

I dream about my meal at Koya in London, Rose Bakery in Paris, Chez Panisse in Berkeley. 

Everywhere I go, I check out the local grocers, vintage stores, community bulletin boards, and people. 

When I arrive in a new place, I learn the lay of the land by exploring via suggestions from friends, friends of friends, and total strangers that strike me as in-the-know.

I always bring home lots and lots of scraps of paper (matchbooks, business cards, hand-drawn maps, completed and half-completed to-do lists).

If I never return to Kunta Hora in the Czech Republic it'll be too soon because a church made of bones is just plain creepy.

I travel for the change of scenery.