“In December, my mom, pops—and even though it’s been the most annoying experience on earth—have planned a family trip to Senegal,” the Insecure creator told Vanity Fair, joking about her mom dominating their family group chat while planning the excursion. “We have not taken a family trip since I was very young. So she’s actually been able to gather us all: family, nieces, nephews, and stuff like that included. It’s going to be really, really special.”
It’s no secret that Rae—who recently teamed up with American Express to curate an itinerary for Paris, France (her favorite city)—has an affinity for French culture. Not only is The City of Light one of her most-loved places, last summer, the star married her longtime boyfriend, Louis Diame, in a picturesque ceremony at the luxurious Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat in the South of France. The writer and producer’s love for all things French is the result of her family’s influence.
“My parents met and they both went to school in Bordeaux. They got married there. And we used to visit as children. In fact, the layover to Senegal was always Paris. We would always spend time there. But when you’re a kid, you don’t really appreciate it. Too much cigarette smoke— and that’s also where I learned that I hate PDA. In Paris – it’s everywhere. Everybody’s just so loving and affectionate, they’re just free. So I just had a different perspective,\” she laughed.
Despite her qualms with public displays of affection, the actress and comedian frequently visits France, having most recently traveled to Cannes. And like everyone who has experienced the madness of post-quarantine travel, the RapSh!t producer revealed her own nightmare experience this past summer, which began when she left her passport at home. Once she finally made it to the South of France, very delayed, upon her arrival to baggage claim, she discovered that her bag was stolen by a traveler bound for Norway.
“After the third round , I was like, ‘I know somebody stole my bag. I know my bag was supposed to come out first.’ And I kept on seeing his that matched mine but with all these stickers! I was like, ‘This dude probably took my bag.’ So I went to the person and said, ‘Hey, I think this guy stole my luggage. I really need it,” Rae recalled. “It was literally all I had packed. So they called him just in time and they told me, ’Ma’am we just got him…he’s literally about to check his bag to go to Norway.’”
She continued, “I was like, ‘Bro, can you just get my bag so I can go?’ He ended up missing his flight, but I was straight. But it was just madness. Everybody was crazy, this crazy!”
The frustration of pandemic travel is nothing new, which is why packing personal flight essentials is key. Just ask Rae, who has a whole in-flight routine comprised of travel necessities that help get her from point A to point B.
“I always download my favorite podcast…I need soothing voices to comfort me. So I have a rundown of things that I listen to, just because I don’t like to buy internet on flights,” said the Sienna Naturals co-owner, who recently appeared as guest on Meghan Markle’s Archetypes podcast. “There’s a very specific bag that I like to carry. I love Brandon Blackwood bags, they’re so versatile. But for me it’s just about just having my comfort sections of stuff. I need my gum, deodorant, the facial spray, and lip balm. My lips get so chapped in the air. And I have just an abundance, because I’m always losing one. So I always pack two.”
She continued, “And then, I always have a wrap. And no edge out of place. If you see me with my wrap on a plane, yes. Sometimes I’ll put a hoodie on it, if it compliments the hair.”
In addition to seeking out the best food and shopping while she’s on vacation, the HOORAE Media founder has also embraced the idea of traveling to improve your mental health and wellness—such as taking designated trips to spas and retreats with goal of mindful exploration and relaxation.
“Definitely love traveling for my own wellbeing. For me it is a process. I will say the lounge experience is essential for me…having my first Amex card, to be able to get access to a lounge. I get the airport early to build that in and discover that there’s, spas and massages at the lounge. So it helps sparks with that process, just to be able to relax, get a glass of champagne to prepare for the travel,” Rae said. “And then when I’m there, I have booked wellness experiences. So whether that’s at a Canyon Ranch or booking a spa, at least if I know that I’m staying a minimum of three days, I have to book a massage. But for work trips, I have to build in self care.”
When she’s not at the spa, she’s seeking out new culinary experiences.
“I like to build stuff around food—Paris in particular. France is the capital center for food. And I love a good food experience. I love a tasting menu. I saw that they had a sushi restaurant that was that Michelin star, and I went during an off-peak time. And that was the most immaculate sushi I’ve ever had,” she said of visiting Le Sushi Okuda. “And then, I actually love to shop in Paris. It’s one of the fashion capitals of the world. So to just have access to all the richness there is, you have to take advantage.”
Below, shop Rae’s picks for flight essentials to help make your holiday travel experience bright.
