Meet a Travel Designer: Saloua Rezgui, who’s been with Tully Luxury Travel for two years, specializes in most European cities, particularly London and Paris. Originally from France, the Toronto-based Travel Designer has lived in both cities and knows them inside and out. “People trust me with Europe because they know that I know Europe! I am a true European who has lived in many European cities,” she says. “I’m very passionate about the cities I know well and I make a point of sharing this passion with my clients”
What does the role of a travel designer involve?
Finding the right place for the right people, and matching the right destination, the right properties with the right clients. I always say this as a joke but everybody knows me for it: It's about selling the dream. And I truly mean that, because the holiday makes or breaks your year, your family, your mood,… I've been there… You spend a lot of money to go away, you build great expectations especially when you come from the cold… you’re tired, overworked, and once you reach what you thought was that dream destination … it's not at all what you expected. This is the best way to get your family/group in the wrong state of mind. You find that perfect destination and/or property that will meet and hopefully exceed expectations, and you have made that dream come true which will go a long way to bond families, partners, and friends…. That's what I think travel designers should be about: You have to be able to tick all the boxes and offer services that clients don't even expect. It's really about understanding your client's personalities and expectations, sometimes about having to make miracles happen and being there for them to reassure them that you know what you're talking about and that you will not disappoint — My job is to make my clients happy.
Europe is your specialty area?
Yes, very much so. Europe and its major cities, but also North Africa, Turkey and Dubai and some parts of Asia. I really try to specialize in what I know; if somebody called me for a safari, I'd send them to one of my colleagues, because it's not what I'm familiar with. I get very involved with my clients, I have a lot of discussions on the phone with them to really understand what they want and what they need.
So, let’s start with London: What makes it a great city to travel to?
I adore London. Londoners are friendly, they have a great sense of humor. London is a beautiful city full of history and tradition. London has great quintessentially British hotels which combine tradition, and character with excellent service. There's something very unique about walking the streets of London, you can go from very conservative in Mayfair, Jermyn Street to totally edgy Shoreditch, Camden Town, etc…There is so much variety and so much cultural diversity… For me, London is magical; always has been, and always will be. And even outside of London, the English countryside, is incredibly beautiful.
When’s the best time to go?
The best time would be fall or spring because it’s a little bit milder and the days are longer. But actually, pre-Christmas is probably the nicest of all; London does Christmas like no other city. The decorations and the Christmas lights are incredible… All the shop windows are Christmas magical… London really comes alive at Christmas.
How many days do you recommend spending there?
As Samuel Johnson said, “When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life.” So, for me it is the longer the better and as often as possible. Now, if I had to sell a certain number of days, I would say you need five to six days in London. This would be a minimum If you want to do the galleries, the museums, walk the parks, shop, and really discover London.
And, if someone was going to London for the first time, what would your must-sees be?
Obviously, Buckingham Palace, Westminster, Hyde Park and seeing a theatre show would be a must. The list is endless: I would just make people walk all over, see the royal sights, the palaces, the parks and then all the museums. The V&A is a must, the National History Museum, the Tate, and the National Gallery. And, I would add, the hip, eclectic food scene; the restaurants in London are hip, fun, and innovative with the greatest choice of foods.
Do you have any favorites?
Amazónico, Scott’s, afternoon tea or drinks at Claridge’s, and the Milestone Hotel for afternoon tea or a drink.
Moving on to Paris: What do you love about the city?
The beauty, the elegance, the old buildings, the history, and the Seine River.
Best time to go?
I'd say anytime between March to the end of July, unless you want an empty experience of Paris, then August is a great time because the Parisians are gone.
And how many days do you need?
Same as London: You’d need five to six days to do all the museums, go to Versailles… you could spend days in the museums. And to shop, shop and shop some more.
What are the must-sees in Paris?
The Louvre, obviously. And you can’t go to Paris and not go to Versailles. The Eiffel Tower, but you don't really need to go up, honestly, you can look at it from outside and it's just as good. The Sixth Arrondissement, because it has all the little art galleries and old libraries, but it’s also great for shopping and for little bistros and cafes like Les Deux Magots and Café de Flore. Just sit on terraces and look at Paris, the French, and the hustle and bustle. London has a lot of elegance and street fashion; Paris is a more established, more classic elegance with that unique Parisian touch.
Would you recommend traveling to these cities on their own, or tacking them on to other destinations?
If you’re doing Paris, most people combine it with another European city or destination, like the South of France, especially if you’re coming from North America; it’s a long way to go to just do Paris. And if it’s the summer, it does make sense to combine it with the South of France — it's just a train ride away or an hour-long flight. A lot of people will do London and Paris because of the Eurostar, which makes it very easy, or Amsterdam and Paris, or Paris and Italy.
How often do you go to Paris and London yourself?
At least Twice a year. This summer, I’ll probably spend a month between France, Turkey, Italy and London; I’ll do my tour. In London, I love to stay in Mayfair. The buildings, the red bricks, the little streets, the beautiful art galleries, the shopping and restaurant scene — it's all there.
What other destinations are on your bucket list?
India and South Africa: I've never done a safari, and then I’d love to go to India to see something totally different and to be taken out of my comfort zone.