Travel and Life: Claire Deroo Shares It All
With Spring around the corner, the urge to set out into the world again is taking hold of us all. We’re pinning, planning, and book-marking our dream destinations, while hoping for better days ahead. And while there’s no substitute for the real thing, there’s tangible pleasure in armchair travelling right now, in letting your thoughts drift to those remarkable destinations you’ve always wanted to visit.
When it’s finally time to go wheels up, you’ll want to do it in style. The PDKF Store’s Claire Deroo has got you covered with a list of everywhere she loves to go (which you can use as a quick and easy travel guide), wherever you decide to go!
Your most-loved place in the world…
“My grandmother's house in Gascony in the south of France. Surrounded by rolling hillsides dotted with ancient, crumbling landaise farmhouses built from stone and pebbles, landscapes packed with sunflowers, and a rich and varied cuisine. This is a tucked-away part of France that will always have my heart.”
Your hand-luggage essentials…
“I always have my sunblock, moisturiser and fragrance of the season on me. Apart from that, I’m never going anywhere without my jewellery and a few accessories.”
A place you go back to again and again…
“Tokyo: a destination where ancient traditions meet modern technology, where skyscrapers co-exist with centuries-old temples and shrines, and where you can begin your day with a vending machine bento box and end it at a 3-Michelin-star restaurant eating the best sushi of your life.”
A trip you took at a pivotal time in life…
“I took a gap year to travel when I was 20. I travelled across the globe and found my footing in India where I ended up staying for the next 10 years!”
Things guaranteed to pique your interest in a place…
“Tips from well-travelled friends, especially for food and the natural landscape.”
A trip you cannot wait for…
“Mexico with my friends (It’s still in it’s group chat discussion phase)”
Your most spontaneous vacation…
“Always looking for a reason to quickly visit Italy, Rome especially”
A wish-list hotel…
“All the Aman! But I’d say especially Amangiri in Utah is high on my wish list.”
A beloved road trip…
“When I went from Peru to Brazil through Bolivia and that too all by bus and train with my best friend. Truly, an experience unmatched.”
The most beautiful place you’ve ever been…
“Hands down Patagonia! I really enjoyed the lonely, pure, and clean sky with thousands of stars, without people or construction around. And the sound of glaciers breaking, like thunder. So beautiful!"
Your ultimate bucket-list destination…
“I’m forever dreaming of Pacific island life so it has to be either Hawaii or French Polynesia (or maybe both!)”
Somewhere you love going solo…
“Tokyo! I like letting myself be carried along by the current, taking long, meditative walks through old-school neighbourhoods like Yanaka and along the river in Nakameguro.”
Where you go for a…
City break: “Countryside in the South of France”
Active Adventure: “Val d'Isèreto to stay updated (if not level up) with my skiing and snowboarding skills”
Stolen few days: “I find myself in Sicily whenever I have an open window for a holiday. It’s either Palermo for shopping or enjoying the food in Catania”
Complete relaxation: “It could also fulfil a desire for action and nature, but for me, Amanwella in Tangalle, Sri Lanka, is a place for rejuvenation.”
Close-to-home getaway: “Trouville! Coastal Normandy’s general joie de vivre mentality keeps me coming back for more”
