The best travel advice emerges from individuals who have experienced it all. In this series, we seek out well-traveled experts for their invaluable tips and guidance.
Writer Isabel Allende, often celebrated as “the world’s most widely read Spanish-language author,” recently traveled to Chile as a distinguished guest of honor. We had the opportunity to discuss her travels, preferred ways to journey, and her favorite destinations across the globe.
Where did you most recently travel?
In February of this year, I traveled to the presidential inauguration in Chile. Invited by the State Department, I joined the American delegation. Thus, I journeyed from San Francisco to Washington, where I met fellow delegates before taking an Air Force plane to Santiago. It was quite an extraordinary experience!
What was the best part of your trip?
The highlight of my trip was meeting the new young president, Gabriel Boric, along with most of his cabinet members. I was granted access to all the official inaugural events and was treated like royalty at the US Embassy. It had been quite some time since I visited Chile, and experiencing my country as a privileged visitor felt surreal.
What did you pack?
I travel light with a small carry-on. My clothing is all black, and I ensure my toiletries are in small containers, always ready for departure. Typically, my travel agent organizes the trip for me, allowing minimal planning on my part.
What’s your preferred way to travel?
I prefer traveling first class by train because it eliminates the hassle of airports. I’m able to move freely, stretch my legs, and enjoy ample time for reading or working. I find cars inconvenient since I’m not a great driver, ships are too slow, and airplanes feel too fast. Moreover, I have a vivid imagination about trains—particularly the Orient Express—where passengers dress up for dinner, reminiscent of a scene from a 19th-century novel.
How do you prepare to travel?
Before my trips, I download entertainment on my Kindle and audiobooks on my phone. I prefer to read fun novels while traveling, although I should probably familiarize myself with travel information about the destinations I am visiting. I tend to avoid downloading movies or TV shows due to my limited technological skills, but I am motivated to learn in the future.
What’s your one favorite place that you love to return to?
A safari in Africa is undoubtedly my favorite destination. The mere thought of magnificent wild animals fills my heart with excitement. I had the pleasure of going to Kenya with my grandchildren fifteen years ago, and I still vividly recall the thrill of hearing those majestic animals moving outside our canvas tents at night.
When was the first time you went on an airplane?
I was just two years old when I first traveled on an airplane, flying from Lima to Santiago in an older aircraft. This occurred during World War II, a time when commercial flights were scarce. After my parents’ separation, my mother and I returned to Chile to stay with my grandparents, where I spent my childhood.
If you could be anywhere right now, where would that be?
I would choose to be at home in my small town in Northern California, a place that brings me immense happiness. My house is situated by a lagoon, so close to the water that it feels like it’s floating. Ducks, pelicans, children on paddle boards, and small sailboats share this serene lagoon area. Whenever I’m on a demanding tour, the thought of returning to this tranquil home keeps me grounded and sane.
