Nneya Richards in Bergamo, Italy; all photos courtesy @nneya
(Virtual) Travel Guide
Nneya Richards' Top 5 Destinations
Oh, to travel. Who remembers what that was like?! Exploring, learning, and broadening our horizons through travel has always been a passion (see here and here for just a few of the Veronicas’ vacation diaries) and we’re missing it just as much as you right now. But the good news is, we may have found the best way to feed our wanderlust, and that’s through the lens of Nneya Richards. The fashion maven and founder of Double N Rich Consulting is our new favorite travel expert, having explored the world and documenting it all through her blog, ‘N A Perfect World. She is inspired by the global citizen, a lifestyle she relates to and does so well. We talked to her about her most-loved destinations — "this is a hard question, like asking me to choose between children, but…" — and were completely immersed in her beautifully detailed recollections of those places. We also spoke to her about finding little escapes in the everyday, embracing road trips, and using this time to plan out those travel wish lists. Get ready to get inspired… #manifesting
Top 5 Travels
1. MEDELLÍN, COLOMBIA
What did you love about it?
I really loved the feeling of rebirth in the air when I visited this city. It's positioning itself as the next art and design capital of South America.
I really loved the feeling of rebirth in the air when I visited this city. It's positioning itself as the next art and design capital of South America.
Best thing you saw?
Comuna 13. The densely populated neighborhood was once considered among the most violent in the city, but today, having undergone a revitalization, it's a prime example of Medellín's urban renewal. Public spaces were renovated and covered in beautiful murals that tell the history of the neighborhood and Colombia. Tourists flock to the area during the day to see sweeping views of the city from the metrocable and outdoor escalator—both built to give the people who live there access to the rest of the city.
Comuna 13. The densely populated neighborhood was once considered among the most violent in the city, but today, having undergone a revitalization, it's a prime example of Medellín's urban renewal. Public spaces were renovated and covered in beautiful murals that tell the history of the neighborhood and Colombia. Tourists flock to the area during the day to see sweeping views of the city from the metrocable and outdoor escalator—both built to give the people who live there access to the rest of the city.
Best thing you ate?
The food and scene at Carmen is amazing. Mouthwatering pulpo. Amazing cocktails, really chic people. It's a good vibe.
The food and scene at Carmen is amazing. Mouthwatering pulpo. Amazing cocktails, really chic people. It's a good vibe.
Best thing you did?
Went to a Reggaeton music festival
Went to a Reggaeton music festival
2. JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA
What did you love about it?
Cape Town is absolutely beautiful but Johannesburg is a vibe! The spirit and the people there make it. It was in Johannesburg that I really saw a lot of the realization of what Nelson Mandela dreamed. The Black economic empowerment I saw was incredible… Apartheid was in my lifetime!
Cape Town is absolutely beautiful but Johannesburg is a vibe! The spirit and the people there make it. It was in Johannesburg that I really saw a lot of the realization of what Nelson Mandela dreamed. The Black economic empowerment I saw was incredible… Apartheid was in my lifetime!
Best thing you saw?
An interracial couple holding hands and hanging out in a mixed-race friend group—not too long ago there, this was a crime.
An interracial couple holding hands and hanging out in a mixed-race friend group—not too long ago there, this was a crime.
Best thing you ate?
Everything I tasted at the Neighbourgoods Market.
Everything I tasted at the Neighbourgoods Market.
Best thing you did?
Went to an Everyday People party and danced all night
Went to an Everyday People party and danced all night
3. PUGLIA, ITALY
What did you love about it?
I spent summer there and it was where I really learned to speak Italian. The gorgeous beaches and the love and hospitality are unrivaled.
I spent summer there and it was where I really learned to speak Italian. The gorgeous beaches and the love and hospitality are unrivaled.
Best thing you saw?
The sunset every night.
The sunset every night.
Best thing you ate?
At different Nonnas’ places for lunch in the neighborhood every day. I would eat two lunches!
At different Nonnas’ places for lunch in the neighborhood every day. I would eat two lunches!
Best thing you did?
Motorcycling to the end of the heel of the boot of Italy; seeing Albania over the water.
Motorcycling to the end of the heel of the boot of Italy; seeing Albania over the water.
4. WEST COAST OF CUBA
What did you love about it?
I've been to Havana twice, once with my mom and the second time as part of a road trip with friends. Driving through the West Coast of Cuba with two of my closest friends was so incredible.
I've been to Havana twice, once with my mom and the second time as part of a road trip with friends. Driving through the West Coast of Cuba with two of my closest friends was so incredible.
Best thing you saw?
The eyes of the people of Santa Clara! They were beautiful and would just sparkle during golden hour. My friends and I called them los ojos de Santa Clara. We would say, "Ohhh, he has los ojos!"
The eyes of the people of Santa Clara! They were beautiful and would just sparkle during golden hour. My friends and I called them los ojos de Santa Clara. We would say, "Ohhh, he has los ojos!"
Best thing you ate?
Cuba's not known for its food, but we had great meals in Santa Clara. I love, love, love ropa vieja so I made sure to get my fill there.
Cuba's not known for its food, but we had great meals in Santa Clara. I love, love, love ropa vieja so I made sure to get my fill there.
Best thing you did?
A tie between seeing the Buena Vista Social Club with my mom and going to a punk rock concert in Santa Clara with my friends.
A tie between seeing the Buena Vista Social Club with my mom and going to a punk rock concert in Santa Clara with my friends.
5. NORTHERN THAILAND
What did you love about it?
The food and culture. My partner and I spent time in both Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai is this cool young city that almost rises out of the jungle. It's a college town so it has a young fresh energy and it’s really modern.
The food and culture. My partner and I spent time in both Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai is this cool young city that almost rises out of the jungle. It's a college town so it has a young fresh energy and it’s really modern.
Best thing you saw?
Wat Rong Khun—The White Temple. It's an artistic masterpiece.
Wat Rong Khun—The White Temple. It's an artistic masterpiece.
Best thing you ate?
It's a tie between a delicious laab dish and a chicken Khao Soi in Chiang Rai at Barrab Restaurant and Pad Thai from this awesome woman in an outdoor market in Chiang Mai in the neighborhood of Chang Phueak. We back multiple times during our trip to both places. So good!
It's a tie between a delicious laab dish and a chicken Khao Soi in Chiang Rai at Barrab Restaurant and Pad Thai from this awesome woman in an outdoor market in Chiang Mai in the neighborhood of Chang Phueak. We back multiple times during our trip to both places. So good!
Best thing you did?
Driving through the mountains on a motorcycle with my partner, Michele. It was misty because it had been raining on and off and we were in awe of the lush vegetation of the rainforest. It was really special.
Driving through the mountains on a motorcycle with my partner, Michele. It was misty because it had been raining on and off and we were in awe of the lush vegetation of the rainforest. It was really special.
Extra, Extra: And an honorable mention goes to Singapore. It may not be a favorite place, but it definitely has my favorite food in the world! I spent five days just eating and indulged in Peranakan cuisine—which I haven’t been able to find in NYC or Paris. Plus, certain sauces there are worth the flight alone! There's an old Malay word for "foodgasm," called shiok. Now that's my kind of place.
Q&A
What's next on your travel bucket list?
That's a hard question, right now with travel at a bit of a standstill. I'm a bit sad for my industry, but at the same time, this moment of reflection is so necessary. It's a great time to fill that wish list, though.
I've made it back to Italy with my partner and I'm really content with that right now. Especially after five months in NYC. That's the longest time in probably a decade, that I haven't been on an airplane. Right now, we're traveling within Italy. Like the US, there's a lot of beauty to see. I really want to return to Djibouti next. I was there briefly for a humanitarian aid mission and the country has some incredible and majestic salt lakes.
I've also been super inspired by friends’ road trips throughout the US. I want to drive the PCH from SF to San Diego, see the big skies in Montana (that's been on my bucket list for almost 20 years as a friend from summer camp would constantly talk about them).
Also, this question reminded me I had a Pinterest board with a wish list!
That's a hard question, right now with travel at a bit of a standstill. I'm a bit sad for my industry, but at the same time, this moment of reflection is so necessary. It's a great time to fill that wish list, though.
I've made it back to Italy with my partner and I'm really content with that right now. Especially after five months in NYC. That's the longest time in probably a decade, that I haven't been on an airplane. Right now, we're traveling within Italy. Like the US, there's a lot of beauty to see. I really want to return to Djibouti next. I was there briefly for a humanitarian aid mission and the country has some incredible and majestic salt lakes.
I've also been super inspired by friends’ road trips throughout the US. I want to drive the PCH from SF to San Diego, see the big skies in Montana (that's been on my bucket list for almost 20 years as a friend from summer camp would constantly talk about them).
Also, this question reminded me I had a Pinterest board with a wish list!
When you're landlocked, what are your everyday escapes?
While I was in NYC, it was the height of COVID and I was prepping for a long haul flight so I rarely left my Brooklyn neighborhood. Luckily, I have tree-lined streets and Prospect Park nearby so that was a perfect everyday escape. I'd go for long walks regularly. I found myself gazing out of my window a lot. I missed Italy so I cooked a lot of Italian food and spent time with my family. Laughing with friends for hours on Zoom was also a much-needed escape that I didn't realize how much I missed. At my family's home we have a garden so I got really into that.
Once I was back in Italy, my first two weeks were in quarantine but I was grateful for our apartment balcony’s view of the Italian Pre-Alps. I’m still here and I've been baking a lot for my partner and he's been bringing home great wine. Every night we celebrate being back together and we go for long drives into the mountains. And now that we’re riding our bikes again, I find myself thinking, I should be more active in New York!
While I was in NYC, it was the height of COVID and I was prepping for a long haul flight so I rarely left my Brooklyn neighborhood. Luckily, I have tree-lined streets and Prospect Park nearby so that was a perfect everyday escape. I'd go for long walks regularly. I found myself gazing out of my window a lot. I missed Italy so I cooked a lot of Italian food and spent time with my family. Laughing with friends for hours on Zoom was also a much-needed escape that I didn't realize how much I missed. At my family's home we have a garden so I got really into that.
Once I was back in Italy, my first two weeks were in quarantine but I was grateful for our apartment balcony’s view of the Italian Pre-Alps. I’m still here and I've been baking a lot for my partner and he's been bringing home great wine. Every night we celebrate being back together and we go for long drives into the mountains. And now that we’re riding our bikes again, I find myself thinking, I should be more active in New York!
