Thejetsetlifeofcreative OliviaLopez
Tips from the world’s most discerning travellers
OLIVIA LOPEZ
A word of warning before you descend on self-proclaimed professional tourist Olivia Lopez’s Lust for Life Instagram: you won’t be able to stop scrolling till you reach day dot – circa 3,000 photos back in time. Olivia’s feed sports an aesthetic straight out of a travel-meets-design-meets-architecture magazine with a decidedly subdued wash of 90s vintage effects. Goals. Her pictureperfect posts have earned her the distinction of being a creative director, photographer, stylist and writer. The LA-based frequent flyer has a penchant for minimalism, sunlight and rooftops. Follow: @oliviavlopez and visit: lustforlife.com Where do you go in the world to satisfy your culture cravings? One of the most memorable cultural moments I've ever experienced was celebrating Carnival in Rio. The entire city swings into festival mode and the city is packed with street performances and everyone is in costume. The official fairgrounds are organised chaos, with a venue space that looms large with an electrifying energy. Everyone literally dances for three days and nights straight. Where are the best boutique buys? I love the small artisanal sandal shops in Positano, as well as the local port, chocolate, and canned products from Porto and Lisbon. One boutique purchase that has stood out tome is from a shop in Portugal called A Vida Portuguesa, which only stocks local Portuguese crafts and artisanal products. I bought a beautiful marble cutting board that I use today. I treasure the unique colour and memories tied to visiting that store. If you could relocate to one place you’ve travelled to, where would it be? I've been drawn to remote places as of late, and wouldn't mind a sabbatical in southern Spain or the Italian countryside. I’ m drawn to their abundance of natural beauty–I love that it' s a region where nature thrives and grows. The landscapes are very inspirational. Where will you be spending the holidays this year? I' m visiting Cart age na, Colombia this festive season as it's been a country that has been on my bucket list for a while. I've always loved the writer Gabriel García Márquez and have heard and read about how beautiful and festive Cartagena is; I can' t wait to see it for myself once I' m there.