The traditional concept of luxury is thought to include the finest and most expensive items the world has to offer— flawless diamonds, rare vintages of Burgundy wine, sleek sports cars, posh palace hotels, and Michelin-starred meals. It’s a world that I wasn’t born into, but because of my writing, I get to experience life behind the cashmere curtain. I continue to be amazed at the level of luxury that exists, and the more I see, the more my personal definition of luxury evolves.
Luxury is a relative term. In my professional life, it means visiting enviable destinations and having exclusive experiences while sleeping in the very best hotels. However, in my personal life, luxury means something completely different. First and foremost, time is my most treasured luxury. Believe it or not, some of my most appreciated luxuries don’t have anything to do with material possessions. Instead, I prize watching the world pass by while sitting on a picturesque terrace, a row to myself on a trans-Atlantic flight, a family dinner in Texas, TSA Pre-Check and Global Entry, a great Spotify playlist, Paris’ air-conditioned line 2 on a hot summer’s day, the sound of silence in the mountains, and seeing the City of Light from the back of a scooter.
When I decided to revamp Leah Travels, I wanted it to be a true reflection of who I am, both professionally and personally. I’m not pretending to be someone that I’m not. I travel the world in relatively extravagant fashion, but I also live in a small, furnished medium-sized unfurnished apartment in Paris’ 8th 6th 7th arrondissement. My worldly goods are in Texas. It’s hardly glamorous, however living a life that I love is also a luxury.
For me, “Finding Luxury” encompasses everything that I want to show on this site. Not only do I seek out the best travel experiences that money can buy, but also those things that require little, if any, money. Whether it’s drinking two-for-one beers with locals on a Mexican beach or sipping the finest Cognac in a French chateau, I’ve embraced a different definition of luxury, which has led to truly well-rounded travel experiences. Luxury is largely about perspective, and this is mine.
