Meet Writer and Recipe-Tester Emily Fiffer

Hometown: Chicago.

Occupation: Editor.

Favorite destinations: Galapagos, Toronto, Sun Valley, Morocco, Utrecht, Greece, Berlin.

Bizarre travel rituals: I immediately unpack when I arrive at my destination and do the same when I return home. Otherwise I get hives.

In-flight relaxation regime: Fresh Air podcast + Saveur/Bon Appetit/New Yorker/Times + scarf.

Always in carry-on: Lip balm.

Concierge or DIY? DIY.

See it all or take it easy? Depends on the day.

Drive or be driven? Drive on the right side of the road; be driven on the left.

Travel hero: My grandma.

Weirdest thing seen on travels: Probably a pair of drag queens making out at Heathrow Airport. I was 13, traveling with my grandma, and awkwardly stunned.

Best hotel amenity: Heated towel racks. Rain showers. Nighttime chocolates. Morning papers.

Dying to visit: New Zealand, Iceland, Buenos Aires, Spain, Copenhagen, Nice.

I always bring home jewelry, scarves, spices, and wine.

Everywhere I go, I check out the grocery store.

I dream about my meal at Origin in Toronto.

When I arrive in a new place, I learn the lay of the land by buying a map, pretending to read it, and winging it instead. Sometimes getting lost is the best part.

If I never return to Newark it'll be too soon because I grew up hearing my mom call it "the armpit of the east coast."

I travel for the detours.