Traveling mind

Once the creative director of Condé Nast Traveler, Yolanda Edwards is a restless soul that always looks for new discoveries and places to share. Her quest led her to the publication of Yolo with an inaugural summer issue dedicated to Italy, a unique travel publication that incarnates her love of travel, discovery and beauty. “I decided to start Yolo Journal because I’m passionate about photography, travel, and collecting great ideas. I’m excited to have a platform where photographers can share images that otherwise might go unseen, and a collection of travel inspiration and ideas from different creative and curious people we admire.”, she says. Luisa World talks to her right before the publication of her next issue that is expected by the end of October.

Traveling mind

Once the creative director of Condé Nast Traveler, Yolanda Edwards is a restless soul that always looks for new discoveries and places to share. Her quest led her to the publication of Yolo with an inaugural summer issue dedicated to Italy, a unique travel publication that incarnates her love of travel, discovery and beauty. “I decided to start Yolo Journal because I’m passionate about photography, travel, and collecting great ideas. I’m excited to have a platform where photographers can share images that otherwise might go unseen, and a collection of travel inspiration and ideas from different creative and curious people we admire.”, she says. Luisa World talks to her right before the publication of her next issue that is expected by the end of October.

Traveling mind

Once the creative director of Condé Nast Traveler, Yolanda Edwards is a restless soul that always looks for new discoveries and places to share. Her quest led her to the publication of Yolo with an inaugural summer issue dedicated to Italy, a unique travel publication that incarnates her love of travel, discovery and beauty. “I decided to start Yolo Journal because I’m passionate about photography, travel, and collecting great ideas. I’m excited to have a platform where photographers can share images that otherwise might go unseen, and a collection of travel inspiration and ideas from different creative and curious people we admire.”, she says. Luisa World talks to her right before the publication of her next issue that is expected by the end of October.

Working in magazines, did you ever spend days on end behind a desk? Was it entrapping for you, being an explorer?
I spent so much time behind my desk, but I definitely filled my office with as many souvenirs and inspirational objects and images as possible! I also was in planning mode when I was back in the office, and as it takes so much production work to travel well, it was actually great. Plus, I loved my team!

How liberating is it to have your own publication? And at the same time, how frightening?
It’s very liberating to be able to have a single point of view about what I want the magazine to be. And yes, terrifying as well—because that means that I have to do so much by myself, so there are lots of early mornings and late nights!

How do you decide the destination of each next issue?
I’m not going to do a destination for each issue, because I think there aren’t so many destinations that are universally appealing. I’ll do my next destination issue for next summer, and it will be on a place that is very dear to my heart, Greece.

Working in magazines, did you ever spend days on end behind a desk? Was it entrapping for you, being an explorer?
I spent so much time behind my desk, but I definitely filled my office with as many souvenirs and inspirational objects and images as possible! I also was in planning mode when I was back in the office, and as it takes so much production work to travel well, it was actually great. Plus, I loved my team!

How liberating is it to have your own publication? And at the same time, how frightening?
It’s very liberating to be able to have a single point of view about what I want the magazine to be. And yes, terrifying as well—because that means that I have to do so much by myself, so there are lots of early mornings and late nights!

How do you decide the destination of each next issue?
I’m not going to do a destination for each issue, because I think there aren’t so many destinations that are universally appealing. I’ll do my next destination issue for next summer, and it will be on a place that is very dear to my heart, Greece.

Working in magazines, did you ever spend days on end behind a desk? Was it entrapping for you, being an explorer?
I spent so much time behind my desk, but I definitely filled my office with as many souvenirs and inspirational objects and images as possible! I also was in planning mode when I was back in the office, and as it takes so much production work to travel well, it was actually great. Plus, I loved my team!

How liberating is it to have your own publication? And at the same time, how frightening?
It’s very liberating to be able to have a single point of view about what I want the magazine to be. And yes, terrifying as well—because that means that I have to do so much by myself, so there are lots of early mornings and late nights!

How do you decide the destination of each next issue?
I’m not going to do a destination for each issue, because I think there aren’t so many destinations that are universally appealing. I’ll do my next destination issue for next summer, and it will be on a place that is very dear to my heart, Greece.

What is the message you want to focus on, in Yolo?
I really believe that we are the best version of ourselves when we travel. We are more open, more curious—and I want to encourage people to get out there, go somewhere they haven’t been before, have new experiences, meet new people, have successful adventures, encourage their friends to do the same…and so on…by featuring content that is more personal, I hope that this messaging is coming through.

What has traveling taught you about yourself (and others)?
It’s definitely taught me that life is about moments—not racing through it. And that there are so many magical and deeply kind humans on this earth.

Why is it good to be back home, each time?
First of all, for the clean laundry! No but really, I miss my dear friends, our dogs, my Soul Cycle class with the best teacher Laurie Cole! I love working in the garden, and I love to go to our place in Upstate NY.

Where in the world have you felt more yourself?
Italy

And a karmic connection?
Greece

Country you have visited the most?
Hmmm…..I think France the most since we decided to do a crazy house renovation project there!

What is the message you want to focus on, in Yolo?
I really believe that we are the best version of ourselves when we travel. We are more open, more curious—and I want to encourage people to get out there, go somewhere they haven’t been before, have new experiences, meet new people, have successful adventures, encourage their friends to do the same…and so on…by featuring content that is more personal, I hope that this messaging is coming through.

What has traveling taught you about yourself (and others)?
It’s definitely taught me that life is about moments—not racing through it. And that there are so many magical and deeply kind humans on this earth.

Why is it good to be back home, each time?
First of all, for the clean laundry! No but really, I miss my dear friends, our dogs, my Soul Cycle class with the best teacher Laurie Cole! I love working in the garden, and I love to go to our place in Upstate NY.

Where in the world have you felt more yourself?
Italy

And a karmic connection?
Greece

Country you have visited the most?
Hmmm…..I think France the most since we decided to do a crazy house renovation project there!

What is the message you want to focus on, in Yolo?
I really believe that we are the best version of ourselves when we travel. We are more open, more curious—and I want to encourage people to get out there, go somewhere they haven’t been before, have new experiences, meet new people, have successful adventures, encourage their friends to do the same…and so on…by featuring content that is more personal, I hope that this messaging is coming through.

What has traveling taught you about yourself (and others)?
It’s definitely taught me that life is about moments—not racing through it. And that there are so many magical and deeply kind humans on this earth.

Why is it good to be back home, each time?
First of all, for the clean laundry! No but really, I miss my dear friends, our dogs, my Soul Cycle class with the best teacher Laurie Cole! I love working in the garden, and I love to go to our place in Upstate NY.

Where in the world have you felt more yourself?
Italy

And a karmic connection?
Greece

Country you have visited the most?
Hmmm…..I think France the most since we decided to do a crazy house renovation project there!

You have visited Greece many times. What do you find to be truly unique, here?
Stay tuned for the summer issue!

What is it you are most eager to share with your readers/followers, while traveling?
I love doing Instagram Stories when I’m traveling. I don’t know why and what it says about me. It isn’t about showing off—it’s really that I want to share it. Maybe it’s because I’m hoping that more people get off the beaten path and explore these lesser-known places—it would change the small town economic dynamics for sure.

What is the best way to get the true feel of a place?
Going on a morning run. You discover so much more because you cover so much more ground and I also love to see a place when it’s waking up.

You have visited Greece many times. What do you find to be truly unique, here?
Stay tuned for the summer issue!

What is it you are most eager to share with your readers/followers, while traveling?
I love doing Instagram Stories when I’m traveling. I don’t know why and what it says about me. It isn’t about showing off—it’s really that I want to share it. Maybe it’s because I’m hoping that more people get off the beaten path and explore these lesser-known places—it would change the small town economic dynamics for sure.

What is the best way to get the true feel of a place?
Going on a morning run. You discover so much more because you cover so much more ground and I also love to see a place when it’s waking up.

You have visited Greece many times. What do you find to be truly unique, here?
Stay tuned for the summer issue!

What is it you are most eager to share with your readers/followers, while traveling?
I love doing Instagram Stories when I’m traveling. I don’t know why and what it says about me. It isn’t about showing off—it’s really that I want to share it. Maybe it’s because I’m hoping that more people get off the beaten path and explore these lesser-known places—it would change the small town economic dynamics for sure.

What is the best way to get the true feel of a place?
Going on a morning run. You discover so much more because you cover so much more ground and I also love to see a place when it’s waking up.

You have said you like wandering around the city you live in, as if you were just a visitor. How can we keep a fresh eye?
I think if we lie to ourselves about the time of our appointments, and build in an extra half hour, so we get places 30 minutes early, it gives us that freedom to wander. The only reason we don’t walk around curious and open is because we are always rushing.

What is your go-to outfit for traveling?
I have these navy pants from Ann Washburn that have an elastic waistband, and are similar to a legging, but much thicker, and not tight at the ankles…so they feel like a real pant, but are easy to sleep in for overnight flights. I pair it with a men’s style striped button down shirt from Alex Eagle that makes me feel put together, a Venetian slipper, and a cashmere oversized navy sweater from Toast.

What do you ALWAYS carry with you, wherever you go? Homeopathic remedies in case I get food poisoning! Can you give us any tips about packing wisely?
I’m not a great packer. I always picture myself in the place I’m going, and get caught up in this fantasy of who I want to be there…and end up packing something I never wear….and just wearing the same thing over and over.

You have said you like wandering around the city you live in, as if you were just a visitor. How can we keep a fresh eye?
I think if we lie to ourselves about the time of our appointments, and build in an extra half hour, so we get places 30 minutes early, it gives us that freedom to wander. The only reason we don’t walk around curious and open is because we are always rushing.

What is your go-to outfit for traveling?
I have these navy pants from Ann Washburn that have an elastic waistband, and are similar to a legging, but much thicker, and not tight at the ankles…so they feel like a real pant, but are easy to sleep in for overnight flights. I pair it with a men’s style striped button down shirt from Alex Eagle that makes me feel put together, a Venetian slipper, and a cashmere oversized navy sweater from Toast.

What do you ALWAYS carry with you, wherever you go? Homeopathic remedies in case I get food poisoning! Can you give us any tips about packing wisely?
I’m not a great packer. I always picture myself in the place I’m going, and get caught up in this fantasy of who I want to be there…and end up packing something I never wear….and just wearing the same thing over and over.

You have said you like wandering around the city you live in, as if you were just a visitor. How can we keep a fresh eye?
I think if we lie to ourselves about the time of our appointments, and build in an extra half hour, so we get places 30 minutes early, it gives us that freedom to wander. The only reason we don’t walk around curious and open is because we are always rushing.

What is your go-to outfit for traveling?
I have these navy pants from Ann Washburn that have an elastic waistband, and are similar to a legging, but much thicker, and not tight at the ankles…so they feel like a real pant, but are easy to sleep in for overnight flights. I pair it with a men’s style striped button down shirt from Alex Eagle that makes me feel put together, a Venetian slipper, and a cashmere oversized navy sweater from Toast.

What do you ALWAYS carry with you, wherever you go? Homeopathic remedies in case I get food poisoning! Can you give us any tips about packing wisely?
I’m not a great packer. I always picture myself in the place I’m going, and get caught up in this fantasy of who I want to be there…and end up packing something I never wear….and just wearing the same thing over and over.