OTPYM founder, Michaela Guzy appeared on FOX2Now News (watch the TV segment) to share a TOP travel trend for 2023. She included examples of this trend put into action from all across the globe. Sadly, there is never enough time to dig into the details of Michaela’s extensive knowledge of the places she shared. She ran out of time before she could even cover the city of lights – PARIS! So we’ve included all her juicy travel tips in the article below. 

Travel is back with a vengeance and already exceeding 2019 levels in certain sectors – a record year for the tourism industry. Between Thanksgiving + Christmas Eve, Michaela has flown 18,670 miles to attend both the World Travel & Tourism Council in Visit Saudi and ILTM Events in France where leaders from across the public and private sectors of the travel industry met to discuss all that is trending in travel, most especially the rise of sustainable tourism and job development + how to help travelers become more responsible so we leave a positive impact with the people + on the places we travel!

One trend that is coming in hawt is that it’s all about vintage and bringing things back. Clothes, cocktails, cars + hotels. Michaela has been a part of the sharing economy for almost 20 years, mostly because the midwesterner in her hates wasting + feels it’s a more sustainable way to live. 

At OTPYM we love vintage shopping when we travel. Michaela still wears her grandfather’s military jacket + ski sweaters, she’s been home sharing since 2008, she resells her clothes, she buys locally handwoven traditional textiles in Guatemala to support women’s co-operatives and their communities and she indulges in ancient Mayan well-being practices. WHAT’S OLD IS NEW AGAIN!

A great example from OTPYM’s recent SLEEPING AROUND SAFELY film shoot in London – craft cocktails! Old school adult beverages with a modern twist are making a comeback! Like the vermouth based Negroni Anfora at The American Bar at The Stafford Hotel in London.

The Stafford is actually started as wine cellars in the 17th century with over 8,000 bottles of the worlds finest wines. It’s alleged that certain doorways actually led to the palace of St. James right up to the time of Queen Victoria. During WWII the cellars served as air raid shelters plus served as a hideout for Canadian and American officers. They still have a memorial that their guests can visit to this day.

And get out into London town on vintage British-made Pashley bicycles for a Gin Safari with Tally Ho. Your guide introduces you to gin spanning centuries at each stop! They even offer optional wicker baskets and tweed caps to channel your inner Brit. How posh is that?

We hadn’t been back to Paris since before the pandemic. The OTPYM crew indulged and stayed at one of our all time favorite hotels in the city of lights: Le Royal Monceau by Raffles, which is part of Accor.

It’s literally all about art! The Parisian palace hotel was redesigned by Philippe Starck and even have an art concierge to take guests through the hotel to visit the permanent collection, the gallery, rotating exhibits and the well appointed gift shop. She’ll even arrange for insider access to art experiences across Paris…be it the Louis Vuitton Foundation, the Christian Dior Gallery and don’t miss the Pinnault Collection – so many interactive art experiences.

The French also take their food seriously. Don’t miss Matsuhisa in pure Nobu style and the Michelin Star Il Carpaccio. The hotel’s pastry chef however converted the salty snack loving Michaela by sharing the art behind his not so sweet French creations and even delighted her with gluten free desserts at tea time. The Raffles brand is also credited with inventing the legendary craft cocktail, The Singapore Sling and in keeping with Parisian style, guests can sip The Skinny Sling at Le Royal Monceau.

We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention that Saudi Arabia was Michaela’s 114th passport stamp! We know there is controversy around the destination, but if we can focus on the local people we met, we promise you will be transported. Of note is that 65% of the population are under 35. There is such a warm entrepreneurial spirit! This is one of the oldest destinations on the planet that has just opened its borders to travelers from around the world in 2019.

We had the pleasure to stay at the new Radisson Collection in Riyadh. The hotel almost felt like a Parisian Palace in the Middle East. What we loved more were the restaurant options like Sadelles which were packed both with the hotel guests and locals alike. 

When in Riyadh don’t miss visiting the Masmak Fort to learn about the history of the city, hold a falcon and also learn about the local coffee culture. Fun fact: in Saudi Arabia when you are served a half a glass of coffee it’s a compliment. It means they enjoy your company and would like you to stay for another. If they fill you up, it means they would like you to leave and if it’s less than half, then they’re cheap! Talk about shifting our perspective on the glass half full!

There are great day trips from Riyadh that locally owned Ghazi Tours took us on…including a sunrise hike to the Edge of the World, followed by a bat cave and sunset sand boarding and tea under the stars. And OTPYM got to have a sneak peek of Diriyah Gate before it opens to the public. Diriyah was built in 1766 and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010, it was here that Diriyah’s ruling family lived under the leadership of the forefather of Saudi Arabia’s current King.  Today, residents and visitors can learn about Saudi history and be able to experience a thematic Period Village recreating life as it was 300 years ago. And we can’t wait to return to visit the ancient ruins of AlUla!

What is more nostalgic than train travel? On October 4th, 1883, arguably the most iconic train in the world left Paris for Constantinople and embarked with forty passengers on board. The round trip lasted 7 days. With this one trip, the geography of Europe was turned upside down, and the notion of long-distance travel was completely redefined.

Today, the legend has been reborn in Italy aboard the Orient Express La Dolce Vita train. And beginning in 2025, The Orient Express will invite travelers to relive the legend aboard 17 original Orient Express cars dating back to the 1920s and 1930s – a set of cars formerly known as the ‘Nostalgie-Istanbul-Orient-Express.’ There are rumored to be surprise ballets, a player’s car with craft cocktails and at night, “A Great Transformation” including lighting, decor and outfit changes. Everyone on board to get all aboard?

Pack a bag + journey on with us,
Michaela Guzy + the OhThePeopleYouMeet Traveling Team

Instagram: www.Instagram.com/Michaelaguzy

YouTube: www.YouTube.com/MichaelaGuzy