Laura Smith

Berkeley

deputy editor of @californiamag former managing editor @timeline_now, bylines @nyt @slate @guardian @motherjones. Nonfiction book The Art of Vanishing (Viking)

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Articles

Our Favorite Experiences of 2023

Dec 13, 2023 | departures.com | Erin Dixon |Skye Parrott |T. Cole Rachel |Hailey Andresen |Laura Smith |Elissa Polls | +5 more

Destinations Truly exceptional people, places, and things we experienced this year. I experienced many joys on Easter Island — from wild horses roaming my resort grounds to visiting the island’s iconic moai statues in the midst of a biblical sunrise rainstorm. But what I will never forget are the sunsets.
The Craft of a Montblanc Pen

Dec 7, 2023 | departures.com | Laura Smith |Sam Gregg

Design An inside look at why Montblanc remains synonymous with the finest writing tools in the world.
New Year's Champagne, Cozy French Fare, and Festive Fizzy Cocktails

Dec 7, 2023 | departures.com | Laura Smith |Sophie Mancini |Alex Frank |Lisa Lok |Hailey Andresen |T. Cole Rachel | +3 more

’TIS THE SEASON to dine. For me, this month is always a toss-up between eating at home or dining out. If you’ve been tasked with holiday meal preparation, you’ll want to take every opportunity to escape your kitchen — and those pesky dishes that just won’t wash themselves. But is there anything cozier than a quiet meal at home on a cold night?
The Year in Spirits

Nov 30, 2023 | departures.com | Sophie Mancini |Laura Smith |Elissa Polls

I’ve been amazed at the level of craft emerging from today’s spirit scene — hyperpremium, boutique brands truly bottling a rich sense of place. They make nightcaps and aperitivo hours feel more like a treat, a ritual to savor solo or in the best of company. The stories behind the spirits are often equally as compelling as their content. Many of these bottles are the products of founders honoring their heritage, old recipes, more conscious consumption, or blends never attempted before.
A Year in Wellness and Fitness Gear

Nov 2, 2023 | departures.com | Laura Smith |Nicole Davis |Jenn Tardif |Elissa Polls |T. Cole Rachel |Alex Frank | +2 more

THE WORD WELLNESS gets thrown around a lot; it means something different depending on who you ask. To some it's skincare, to others it's the sleekest gym equipment or a walk on the beach. Maybe it’s whatever makes us more patient and glow inside and out. Over the past year, our editors have tried some of the most cutting-edge wellness items and fitness gear from a game-changing infrared mat to a rower so elegant it's nearly sculptural.
What We’re Wearing to Travel in Style This Fall

Oct 31, 2023 | departures.com | Hailey Andresen |Alex Frank |Laura Smith |T. Cole Rachel |Elissa Polls |JB Maza | +2 more

IF YOU ASK me, October is the optimal month for showering yourself with gifts. We are in the throes of a new season, back-to-school shopping is far enough in the past, and the holidays are still distant enough in the future that it’s possible to lean into a guilt-free shopping spree or a single indulgent purchase. This month, our editors are covering all the bases — from candles and adventure-forward experiences to fall attire and subtle self-care items.
Exquisite Central Park Views, Museum Getaways, and a Classic London…

Oct 27, 2023 | departures.com | Sophie Mancini |Alex Frank |Laura Smith |Lisa Lok |T. Cole Rachel |Hailey Andresen | +3 more

Stays Plus, a new Ritz, cool Copenhagen hang outs, and Antwerp opulence. AS HIGH AUTUMN gusts in, I’ve been thinking a lot about spaces and their ability to transport you. It’s a nostalgic, cozy, glimmering time of year, and after long, dewy days outside, we’re finally moving back in. It’s the best time for wandering a museum, tucking into a restaurant, parsing through a shop, and yes — finding that perfect stay.
Noma Talent in Brooklyn, Bespoke Dinner Parties, and Libations for All

Oct 26, 2023 | departures.com | Laura Smith |Sophie Mancini |Cooper Fleishman |T. Cole Rachel |Alex Frank |Elissa Polls | +3 more

Food and Drink Plus, not-to-miss wine in the Azores, department store omakase, and how to bring Italy home. I recently had an illness where I experienced a prolonged loss of appetite. Previously, I had found my appetite a burden — scarcely had I finished lunch, and I was already dreaming of dinner. I wondered, Wouldn’t it be nice if I didn’t think about food all of the time? Well, now I can tell you. It is not nice.
A Year in Kitchen Gear

Oct 24, 2023 | departures.com | Hailey Andresen |Cooper Fleishman |Laura Smith |Elissa Polls |Lisa Lok

THIS SUMMER, I visited Julia Child’s kitchen at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. The preserved details of what was a completely understated, yet historically significant kitchen were absolutely stunning. While there was nothing luxurious about it, it was clearly well-used, efficient, and thoughtfully designed. Every item had a purpose.
Where to Stay on the Left Bank and an Exquisite Ryokan in Japan

Sep 27, 2023 | departures.com | T. Cole Rachel |Laura Smith |Hailey Andresen |Alex Frank |Lisa Lok |Elissa Polls | +1 more

AS A SELF-DESCRIBED king of staycations, I have spent the past year moonlighting as a tourist in my own town, spending a night (or two or three) in as many New York City hotels as I can. This not only gives me a sense of how all of my hometown stays stack up against one another, but it also indulges my love of hotels in general.