How journalist Jordi Lippe-McGraw used her passion for travel to fuel PAK Rêve.
For work and for leisure, travel journalist and Equinox member Jordi Lippe-McGraw has explored all seven continents — five of which, with her son in tow. In fact, she announced her pregnancy (at five months) from Antarctica.
While many parents reel back their jet-setting after welcoming a child, Lippe-McGraw’s appetite for travel didn’t slow down. She’s visited 58 countries and counting, many with her husband and with their now five-year-old little one, Wilder.
And in 2022, she founded PAK Rêve, a travel accessory company offering bags designed to take parents from the playground to Paris and beyond. The brand’s signature system features a full-sized backpack, mini backpack, waterproof wristlet, and insulated lunch box that all connect, allowing caregivers to stay organized no matter where they are in the world.
Between galavanting all over the globe, Equinox+ chatted with the entrepreneurial mom to talk about her passion for travel, favorite destinations, and best advice for parents who want to take their tots to far-off destinations and avoid bumps in the road.
When did your love for travel begin, and how did you start working in travel journalism?
“I've always loved traveling and was lucky enough to go on trips with my family growing up. It turned into a career after my dad died in a plane crash in late 2010. I found one of the best ways I could manage my grief was by traveling, and I started to write about my experiences outside of my full-time job. Over a few years, I was able to build up enough clients to quit my job and go full-time freelance. That was almost a decade ago.”
What was your first big trip?
“My first big trip was when I was in fifth grade and went to Israel with my family. It was the longest flight I had taken [at] that point and the furthest from home I'd been. We were there for about a week and went from the north to the south. I loved every minute of it and believe it set the path for my future travel career.”
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How does traveling inspire your work?
“Traveling has given me the privilege of seeing how many different cultures live life day to day. It's brought perspective to my career in that many places value downtime, vacation time, and personal time way more than here in the US. I lived in Switzerland for the summer with my family and saw how people there take several weeks off in the summer, go to the mountains, and just relax. The work still gets done. It proves you can still be successful without participating in the grind culture. I try to remember that by working self-care — going to Equinox for a workout, getting in my infrared sauna blanket — into my week regularly.”
Based on your own adventures, what are the best destinations and experiences for wellness-based travel lovers?
“While there are many, a couple stand out to me. Switzerland is home to incredible spas that are a mix of scientific and holistic in some of the most stunning landscapes in the world. For beach lovers, Mexico is incredible for wellness with many of the top spas offering ancient and traditional healing treatments.
“The Four Seasons Sensei Retreat in Hawaii was one of the most intentional and expertly-curated spa retreats I've ever been to. You meet with a guide before your arrival and they curate a custom itinerary for you. Then that person is with you throughout your stay to ensure you're maximizing the experience. They have offerings like a guided nap — which is life-changing.”
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What are three tips you have for parents who love to travel but are worried about bringing their kids to new places?
“1. Bring the comforts of home. Kids can thrive on a routine. When you travel, that routine is thrown off. So I always bring a few things from home like his sound machine, stuffed animals, etc. And we always do the same bedtime routine no matter if we are on safari or in Paris. This helps him get a good night’s sleep and feel comfortable in a new place.
"2. Don’t over-schedule: If it was me traveling solo, I’d do a million things in a day. That’s not possible with a kid. I pick one or two activities that we can enjoy together and then leave the rest of the day open. That might mean relaxing on the beach, drawing in the hotel room, or finding a local playground. The downtime is important to ensure everyone is happy."
“3. Keep food handy: Mealtimes always get messed up when traveling. So I always make sure to bring some snacks from home to have something on hand at all times. This helps when we can’t get to a restaurant or hotel for a proper meal. I also designed my bags to have an attachable insulated lunch box which lets me travel with fresh snacks.”
Is there anywhere you'd go back 100 more times?
“I have two places. One is Long Beach Island, New Jersey, where I grew up going every summer. It's my happy place and comfort zone. The next might sound cliché, but Paris. I never get bored of going there.”
Photos courtesy of PAK Rêve