Travel Hacks to Help You Find Inspiration From Any Destination

3 ways to see the world differently

From scouting a new photoshoot for the next epic Hong Kong Ballet campaign or judging and speaking on design worldwide, I have nailed the art of travel. In fact, it’s my greatest creative muse as co-founder and chief creative officer of D.C.-based Design Army. Colors, patterns, wildly fresh and witty ideas (like A-Eye meets AI for Georgetown Optician)—it all stems from my adventures.

To conceive the future, invent something new and become a better designer, you have to put yourself in the foreign. A strange land ignites the senses and inspires like nothing else. You see the world through new art, food and rich experiences. It pushes you out of your comfort zone. And forces you to become a keen observer.

So, whether you’re headed to D.C. for cherry blossom season or a cool European city, here are my favorite hacks to make the most of any destination.

Wander alone
Nothing expands the mind like solo travel. It’s an exercise in fearlessness, observation, and reinvention—a creative playground to push boundaries and unlock fresh ideas. Every month I travel by myself to see new colors and sights, be it Europe, Africa, Asia and beyond. When I’m home in D.C., I let my eyes travel locally. Yes, I do have 161,446 photos on my iPhone.

Travel the road less touristed
Timing with travel—to create the best adventures and avoid the tourist flocks—is everything. I always go to museums an hour before they open to nix the lines. Paris, my favorite city, is quietest in August which makes visiting the Louvre ideal. Miami’s Art Basel is dripping with creative inspiration, but challenging to savor with the crowds so I arrive a day or two before (typically Tuesday) before it gets packed. A Venice Biennale art hop is a must! I art direct my travels like creative campaigns, considering every detail to take the viewer (or myself!) on the most enjoyable ride.

Same city, different hotels
Creativity isn’t about waiting for inspiration—it’s about chasing it. Which is why I love switching up hotels when visiting a city for a few days to create whole new opportunities for fresh, unexpected encounters. Most people stay in one hotel. But that only gives you one picture or POV of a city. Staying in different areas allows you to fully immerse yourself in new neighborhoods, food, culture, art and more. Visiting NYC? Upper East Side is radically distinct from basing yourself in Times Square or The Village. Plus, every hotel has its own vibe and design so you also get to experience living in distinct places within the same locale. And the more you expand your vision, the more you fill your tank of creativity.

For more inspiration, follow Pum Lefebure’s adventures on Instagram at @PumLefebure and @DesignArmy