Want to know how to travel in style, just like the pros? We check in with frequent fliers to find out how often they fly, their favorite destinations and what they never leave home without.
Name: Genevieve Gorder
Occupation: HGTV Designer, Host and Producer
Hometown: Minneapolis, MN
Residence: New York, NY
Website: Genevievegorderhome.com
Twitter: @Real_genevieve
Pinterest: /Genevievegorder
Short Bio: Genevieve Gorder’s unmistakable enthusiasm and intimate approach to design has made her one of America’s favorite interior designers. Finding inspiration and beauty in everyday life, Genevieve applies her soulful, eclectic and whimsical style to transform the interiors of homes around the world. After many years designing on-camera, she is now the host and designer of her own HGTV series, Dear Genevieve, a judge on HGTV Star and currently launching a new series Genevieves Renovation.
How often do you fly: Depends on the month but usually 3-4 times a month
How many countries have you been to: Hmmmmm, 37, haven’t counted in a while
How many continents have you been to: 4
Favorite American city: New york….of course
Favorite international city: It’s between Istanbul and Marrakesh
Least favorite country: If I say it, I could potentially piss off a lot of people, maybe best to keep this on the hush, but my good friends and family absolutely know the answer to this one. Brrrrrr…
Favorite World Heritage Site: Bergen, Norway. I’m dying to go the Petra….soon.
Favorite airline: Depends on where I’m going… U.S.: Delta; International: Emirates
Favorite aircraft type: Any one that gets me to where I want to be beautifully. And, I can lay down.
Aisle or window: Window, always, need to be able to sleep against the wall and I always need to see.
Favorite airport lounge: Virgin in London
Favorite U.S. airport: San Francisco. It has a sense of humor and really good food.
Favorite international airport: Schipol, I studied design in Holland for a while and was so impressed at how they design EVERY aspect of life to the smallest detail. Schipol is so well designed, like a city with grocery stores and a promenade. I think you can even golf there if I’m not mistaken. The Dutch are brilliant.
Favorite hotel: Ada Hotel in Turkbuku, Turkey. Simple, luxurious, natural and ancient. Done.
Do you unpack into the dresser/closet? Or live out of your suitcase? Up until a few years ago I was a suitcase performer. Living out of, never unpacking and leading a pretty wrinkled life. Then, I had a daughter and couldn’t find ANYTHING travelling this way, I am now, proudly, an unpacker.
Favorite cruise line: Royal Caribbean, I’m currently designing two ships with them.
Favorite island: Hvar
Favorite fancy restaurant: Too many!
Favorite hole in the wall: Too many!
Favorite fruit: A perfectly ripe nectarine in July
Favorite food: Artichoke hearts, warm with lemon butter
Least favorite food: Raw onions
Drink of choice (In the air and on the ground): Goose and soda with 3 limes
Favorite travel movie(s): Amelié…it was a travel movie, in a sense.
Favorite travel show(s): Anthony Bourdain. His shows are cinematic, sensual, smart and never dumb down travel. I appreciate them immensely.
Right now I am reading: Nothing, and I’m embarrassed, but honest…
Top 3 favorite travel newsletters/magazines/blogs: Designsponge.com
Favorite travel website(s) – besides JohnnyJet.com, of course!: Tablethotels.com
Five things you bring on a plane: A cashmere blanket or oversized scarf, my over the ear headphones, too many cooking and design magazines, my laptop, water
What do you always seem to forget: My eyeblinds
What do you want your loved one to buy you from an airport duty free store? My perfume
Worst travel moment: I was in Essouira, Morocco at a rug sellers dinner party, I hadn’t seen many women out and about for the last 7-8 days of travel so I was delighted to meet and hang with some local ladies. We sat around a giant tagine, table overflowing with grapes, nuts, you name it, it was a feast. As I began to sit down, I was quickly escorted out to the living room with the other “ladies”, they began to redress me in a costume and made me dance with them to a tiny boombox with some Berber beats scratching out while all the men ate. We were apparently the entertainment and I was the only not being paid, if you catch my drift. At some point, weary from my bad dance moves and getting a little concerned, a man with a giant machete walked into the party and he looked like he had been in the desert a looooooooong time. I grabbed my friend by the collar and said “you get me out of here now or I will blame whatever happens to me on your head forever….” I went to the ‘bathroom” and never returned.
What’s your dream destination: Rajastan, Petra, Tehran and Bhutan
Best travel tip: Download traditional music from wherever you are going before you leave. Get the sounds of a new culture in your head, it helps with the pacing, and how you see once you arrive. I love walking around the streets with traditional music on, you really feel a place when it’s just your eyes and ears doing all of the work.
I like the idea of listening to traditional music. I don’t typically walk around with music when I’m traveling but I may start doing this so I can listen to music on the plane or before I go out throughout the day. Thanks for the tip!
The idea of listening to the traditional music is an awesome idea! It does seem that it can help you transition.
Genevieve,
I like your style & adore your rules of design::::6 7 8, and how you break your rules 1 2 3 to finish a room & space~
Seeing you on HGTV TV , is so charming and informative, I do love watching your shows!
I am a professional photographer and live in northern NJ, & I have a question about putting my house on the market soon.
Can you advise as to where is the best place to find a crew that does all the things that need to be done, from light repairs/painting, and staging my house?
I wanted to tell you, You are a Force~ A Strong Spirit:)
I love your way, and how you are with your customers, they do too, it shows through.
Your core sense, of your inner design work, is inspirational, and brilliant!
Extraordinary you are, as an artist & designer, also meeting and combing human needs and emotional support in design, and the process. That is masterful work!
I want to tell you, I think you are beautiful. Your strong profile is stunning. But, that really doesn’t compare to your grace and inner glow that shines through.
Thanks for sharing such great tips on interior design, your the best! ksb