Rossella and Huw Beaugié’s
Insider Travel Tips
For the type-A, always-optimizing travelers among us: Our ongoing Q&A series uncovers the secrets of professional voyagers and worldly connoisseurs. From planning and packing to navigating new terrain like a local, discover insider tips that elevate every journey to unforgettable heights.
In Conversation with Rossella and Huw Beaugié
Rossella and
Huw Beaugié
A dawn climb to Mount Stromboli’s summit was the literal first spark for The Thinking Traveller, the crater throwing embers into the sky as a unique business plan took hold. Company owners Rossella and Huw Beaugié met in Paris in 1998 as she was pursuing a doctorate in biology and he was completing an MBA. That early morning on the volcano set their route into Sicily in motion. Four years later, they settled on the island, persuaded friends and relatives to rent out their houses, and began building The Thinking Traveller with a small first portfolio of singular homes. Today, the company curates around 300 properties across the Mediterranean, spanning Sicily, Tuscany, Corsica, and a wide sweep of Greece. In 2021, the couple joined forces with Anna Deimezi and Dimitris Giannakopoulos—founders of a kindred business in the Greek islands, established in 2008. The four steer The Thinking Traveller together closely. Its hallmark lies in on-the-ground teams, Think Experiences—curated extras like private boat trips or a chef-led dinner—and sustained recognition at the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards, including 10 wins as Best Villa Rental Company in the World.
You’ll never catch me departing for a trip without…
ROSSELLA BEAUGIÉ My yoga essentials and a silk eye mask.
The luggage brand I’ll always invest in is…
HUW BEAUGIÉ Ortlieb. I use a range of specialist load-carrying equipment on my bikepacking rigs, but this great Bavarian brand has been the common denominator for years!
The one thing I always have tailored before a trip…
R.B. I always ensure I pack the pair of trousers that fit me best and are most versatile and comfortable, depending on the season and scope of the trip.
Favorite season to escape to Southern Europe is…
R.B. All year round. April and May are hard to beat for wildflowers and green landscapes, and August works brilliantly with the right insider knowledge. At The Thinking Traveller, we know how to find a secluded seaside villa in Greece, or a quiet masseria or trullo in southern Italy whose stone-clad walls provide a cooling sanctuary—places that still feel peaceful and where you can experience the authentic ‘Italian villeggiatura.’
My go-to travel read when I need pure escapism is…
R.B. A novel by a local author, or one set in the place I’m visiting—and if I have time, I’ll add a classic, ideally French, Flaubert or Camus. Or García Márquez, if I’m traveling to South America.
Packing for a weekend in NYC, carry-on only? My tip is…
R.B. A versatile cashmere scarf—perfect for breezy walks along the Hudson and overly enthusiastic indoor air-conditioning.
The single most versatile item of clothing for a summer weekend jaunt is…
R.B. A pair of flat, tailored sandals made for you in Ischia or Taormina that you can wear with everything.
When choosing a private travel concierge, the three must-haves are…
H.B. Deep, local insider knowledge, creativity, and attention to detail. We believe our team offer an abundance of these; they are all trained to really listen to our guests’ needs so that they match each person with the perfect villa and itinerary.
My greatest travel extravagance that’s become an essential is…
R.B. A good Ayurvedic or Shiatsu massage soon after arrival.
My favorite in-flight wellness ritual or remedy…
R.B. A guided meditation, usually led by John Kabat-Zinn, and plenty of Omega-3 oil for my face to stop the inevitable dehydration on the plane.
Jet lag cure that actually works for me every time? It’s…
R.B. If I arrive in the morning: sunlight, fresh air, movement—and a good espresso or two. In the evening: ramen or phở, restorative yoga, a massage, and a little melatonin helps.
My go-to way to capture travel memories is…
R.B. I still love an old-style travel journal—for sketches, notes, tickets, and little finds along the way. On family trips, we keep a shared one so the kids can join in, alongside shared digital photo albums and a few printed favorites from our bigger journeys.
For travel safety and intel, my ultimate insider source is…
R.B. Our local network, which all our clients have access to.
The travel app that’s saved me more than once is…
H.B. ChatGPT. When we travel in our The Thinking Traveller destinations, we use our comprehensive guide pages and the list of restaurants and cafés that our local team keeps up to date. ChatGPT is great for quick translations and consolidating recommendations.
My method for securing a last-minute table at a starred restaurant is…
H.B. We tend to avoid starred restaurants and seek out where the locals go, as we find the best food and more authentic experiences there.
If I have a day off in a city, my perfect agenda starts with…
R.B. A panoramic view of the city to get my bearings, or the best view from the city. Then, a long walk or a bike ride with a planned outline of the itinerary and plenty of room for improvised visits to a little hidden church, artisan shop, or café.