For Robert Wright, a passport stamp is just part of the gig. As the co-founder of Beni Rugs, a digital design resource for Moroccan rugs handwoven by the Berber community in the Atlas Mountains, he clocks hundreds of hours flying back and forth between New York and Marrakech. The brand, which launched in May of 2018, can customize any pre-designed patterns of traditional Beni Ourain styles as well as over 100 combinations of styles native to the artisan practice.

Beni’s first collection featured a Rothko inspired design, whose success led Wright and co-founder Tiberio Lobo-Navia to create a modern art collection based on more Rothko, Joan Miró, and the Memphis Design Movement. This past summer the brand launched its first flat weave collection inspired by the desert towns of Morocco, and this fall will debut Beni Ourain styles inspired by Le Jardin Majorelle in the form of graphic interpretations around the plant-life, architecture, and colors of the iconic gardens.

Here, Wright breaks down his travel rituals, from the Oprah Winfrey podcast that keeps him sane, to how he conquers jet lag, to the luxury backpack that stores his ever-growing volume of carry-on necessities.

Robert Wright’s Travel Intel:

My go-to airline is: In the US, only Delta! The have amazing service, decent food and comfortable planes.  I’ve been rewarded for my loyalty and now there’s no turning back. For international flights, its usually Air France or Emirates. 

My favorite seat on the flight is: Always a window, and always as close to the front as possible (but never the bulkhead). I still get excited about passing through the clouds and usually leave the shade up until someone yells at me to close it.  

My go-to in-flight beverage is: A very large bottle of flat water followed by a very large glass of red wine. I tune out all advice about not drinking on planes. 

 My favorite airport/terminal is: Jackson Hole’s airport welcomes you with a large tray of mimosas as soon as you’re off the jet bridge. It doesn’t get better than that, but the design is pretty stunning as well. 

The second I get on a plane, I: Sanitize my hands with Aesop’s rinse-free Resurrection wash and then put on its Ginger Flight Therapy Oil. Next, on go the Bose noise cancelling headphones. No one needs to hear chatter about overhead bin space.  

My go-to travel uniform is: Chinos by Ami Paris, classic high top Chuck Taylors, and a time-softened Isherwood button down from Acne Studios. I always pack a sweater just in case – I just got a new one from Save Khaki that’s incredibly soft and has been coming with me on every flight. 

My carry-on consists of: I keep increasing the size of my backpack – other passengers must assume I’m on my way to a mountain trek. I just got a new Loewe bag and it’s bursting with books, magazines I haven’t gotten to, toiletries for long flights and electronics. The weight of it is the source of a lot of amusement for my friends. Sometimes I even pack a coffee table book I haven’t had a chance to leaf through. That plus a matte black Rimowa wheelie bag and I’m good to go. 

 My flying soundtrack is: Oprah’s Super Soul Sunday podcast, always. I end up hearing each episode three times because I fall asleep and then rewind. I’m hoping to approach monk-like status through repeated listening. Otherwise, it’s a playlist called Jungle from Hotel Esencia, whose DJ I want to soundtrack my life.  

My favorite thing about flying is: Feeling removed from devices and daily demands and being able to dream a bit more easily. Oh, and the views.  

The worst part about flying is: Everything that comes before and after sinking into your seat. Traffic, lines, security newbies, flaring tempers. This is where the Oprah podcast comes in.  

The second I land, I: Remind myself to not join the jostling crowd competing to see who can get off the plane the fastest. Then most likely I open Instagram. If I’m landing in Marrakech I text my trusty driver Asni to let him know I’ll be outside soon.  

As soon as I check into my hotel room, I: Unpack. I have serious OCD about not seeing my luggage out in the room and about having all of my clothes put away as if I lived there. Which is really my ultimate fantasy. If it’s the morning I’m also probably ordering an espresso macchiato from room service.  

My favorite hotel in the world is: Il Pellicano. It transports you to another era, another world, and the owners have been smart enough to preserve the charming, idiosyncratic details that so many hotels are doing away with in favor of boring, Instagram-friendly design.  The service is also just insanely personable. Ultimately, it has the increasingly elusive characteristic of soul – and that’s what I’m always in search of. 

My favorite city in the world is: Marrakech. It jolts you out of whatever reverie you might be in – being present is the only option. I also love the creative scene that is popping up there and the challenge of creating a business with a headquarters in such a foreign, non-linear culture.  

A concierge will know that I prefer: Original, thoughtful recommendations for restaurants and bars that can’t be found via Google search.  

My favorite hotel memory is: Waking up early morning in a beautiful, intricately tiled suite at La Mamounia. Opening up the French doors to their immense gardens full of olive trees and the chatter of chirping birds. Pure magic.  

I conquer jetlag by: Pretending it doesn’t exist. This sounds overly simplistic but the more you think about it, the more you suffer from it. My friend Colin once told me to start eating on the schedule of your destination immediately upon boarding and to exercise upon landing. I’ve been trying to practice what he preaches.  

My biggest piece of travel advice is: Roll with it. Some of my favorite travel memories have come from giving up on carefully laid plans and surrendering to the flow of the day.