How they do it with confidence, flair

Here are the traits of the most successful travel artists:

❚ They’re confident: Without exception, each of the travel artists I spoke with for this story exuded confidence. “The real art of travel is understanding how to make the state of travel — a place of change and uncertainty — into one of comfort and confidence,” explains Ernest Shahbazian, founder of YouTube channel Trip Astute. Once you have your travel chops, you’ll be well on your way to mastering the art of travel.

❚ They turn off their phone when it’s appropriate. True travel artists don’t show off, says Jason Donahue, CEO of Sidewalk, a walking app for your smartphone. “Travel has always had an element of regaling stories of remote adventures,” he says. “But the recent trend of Facebook humble brags and Instagram selfies has clouded the personal development that comes with travel.” Real travel artists savor the travel experience; they don’t just Instagram them.

❚ They don’t check a bag. “There’s an art to packing simply and efficiently and taking only what you need,” says Matt Eventoff, a professional speaker from Princeton, N.J. “It saves so much time, both at check-in and at destination.” Also, it allows you to enjoy travel more and eliminates the chance that a bag gets lost.