Window shopping #6
Bringing glamour back to the skies, scoring one of NYC's toughest tables, and the Saint-Tropez stay I’m mentally moving into
This is From the Window Seat, a series of deeply researched, design-forward travel guides for people who believe in the art of traveling well. Inside each one: immersive itineraries, hidden gems, standout stays, and everything you need to know to experience a place with intention—and great taste.
“Memorable Mementos” and using your credit card to maximize travel are among the top 2025 travel trends. According to Amex’s 2025 Global Travel Trends Report, travelers are being much more intentional about the kinds of souvenirs they take home to remember their trips. 82% of Millennial and Gen Z respondents said they look for “one-of-a-kind goods that will remind them of their trip, so they have a story to share with friends and family.” When it comes to maximizing travel, 61% of Millennials and Gen Z surveyed are using credit cards, and 66% of global respondents reported that combining credit card rewards with other loyalty perks provides “the best value for international trips.” If you’ve ever wanted to know how to get started with using credit card points to travel, read how I earned 1 million+ points in one year and how I used only half to book $25k+ worth of luxury travel.
Air France tapped Jacquemus to create Le Pyjama for its first-class passengers. Two weeks ago, I reported on another airline pajama collaboration, but this one takes the cake. Air France already has one of the best First Class cabins in the sky—now, those flying in La Première will get to enjoy one more world-class perk: designer loungewear. What I love about this particular offering is that it comes in two top options: either a V-neck with a tailored fit or a crewneck with a regular fit. Between this and their collaboration with Maison Francis Kurkdjian on signature scent AF001—named after Air France’s Concorde flight between NY and Paris in the 70s—it’s clear that they’re reviving the glamour of air travel for a new generation.
As the year has progressed, I’ve slowly been coming out of my hibernation, which for me means getting out to new restaurants I’ve been meaning to try. Nothing motivates me to leave the house like a good meal.
A couple of weeks ago, I was lurking Resy and picked a few restaurants to check out at random. Shockingly, I happened upon a primetime (7:30 pm!) slot for Din Tai Fung, apparently one of New York City’s most coveted reservations. Of course, I locked it in faster than a hypebeast hitting checkout on a Kith collab.
I knew a couple of things going into the dinner: the string beans were not to be missed, and the xiao long bao (soup dumplings) were their specialty. I ordered both, plus some cucumber salad to start, and dumplings and steamed buns to round out the entrees.
Here is my honest review: it was good, but not worth going out of your way for. The only part of the meal I found exceptional was the string beans—I placed an entire second order to take home for later. The rest fell short for me after how much everyone had hyped this place up. The soup dumplings were good—don’t get me wrong!—but I’ve had better. But if this was your very first time trying them at all, you’d probably think they were excellent.
Also worth noting: I was surprised by the lack of ambiance—It’s a huge, labyrinth of a space with negative aura. I don’t know if it’s the size that kills the vibe or the fact that most of the patrons seemed to be tourists, but I felt out of place. Strangely, we were also handed a pager after checking in for our reservation, which I have to admit I’d forgotten existed because it’s been over a decade since I’ve eaten at an Outback Steakhouse.
Hôtel Villa Marie—St. Tropez, France
If your idea of bliss involves bougainvillea-covered terraces, meandering breakfasts in the sun, and an afternoon nap with a sea breeze drifting through gauzy curtains, you’re going to love this hotel in St. Tropez. It’s Riviera nostalgia at its best: think terracotta tile floors, vintage Murano glass, and a pool where time moves slow. The more I dream about going, the more I want to book a one-way ticket and become the kind of person who exclusively wears linen while working on a novel by the pool. PS: I’ve got your packing list covered.
Tori Simokov is a Travel Writer and Graphic Designer/Strategist based in New York. To get in touch, email tori@v1projects.com. Want more? Check out Instagram, TikTok, or shop her curated favorites.