I have always wondered why on earth people wouldn't love to travel. New acquaintances, new experiences, new breathtaking views, and of course airports and planes. I have always been ready to wake up at whatever hour, pay an unreasonable price for a cup of coffee, and tolerate any queue with the cheerful resilience of someone who once considered a 4 am departure a cool adventure. I even used to believe that the romance of travel was strong enough to outweigh the occasional lost suitcase or the dramatic sight of one wobbling out on the belt looking as though it has survived a small natural disaster — at least until I discovered what a difference dependable luggage, such as RIMOWA, makes to one’s sanity.

As time passes and you begin to travel more often, you realise that comfort is no less important during the trip than impressions. You are less likely to remember Machu Picchu if your back is aching after a long flight. A rooftop pool won't sweeten the bitterness of a broken suitcase. And your vacation may vanish too soon if you leap straight into your workload while still battling jet lag. Having the right tools — the right bag, the right mindset, the right rituals — suddenly becomes not indulgence but strategy.

Life today is no longer about the destination. It is about the process, and a mindful approach is more of a must than a privilege. Remember: the vacation begins neither on a beach nor in the airport. It begins with planning that turns a trip into an experience rather than a mild logistical trauma. The first step is creating comfort before you even leave home — the way a well-packed RIMOWA case already promises order, ease, and the pleasing sense that at least one aspect of the journey will behave itself.

Here are the tips that will let you think about your journey, not obsess over minute, frustrating details.

Most airports (especially the large ones) offer business lounges, and if you don't have a pass from your airline, you can book one through services such as Lounge Pass. In the largest hubs, such as Dubai, you might even find cabins with a bed and shower, perfect for a quick recharge during a stopover. You may emerge refreshed enough to feel almost smug.

A suitcase should be your companion, not your burden, and this is where RIMOWA enters the picture with the quiet confidence of someone who knows they are the right choice. The new RIMOWA Essential Clay and Terracotta suitcases are particularly thoughtful options. Crafted from ultra-lightweight polycarbonate, it weighs as little as 3.2 kg for a cabin case while still being robust enough to withstand even the most enthusiastic airport handling.

The structured Flex Divider inside keeps everything neat, eliminating the classic suitcase explosion the moment you unzip it in your hotel room. Sizes range from cabin to large check-ins and the iconic trunks, each one designed for travellers who value ease as much as aesthetics.

And then there are the colours. Inspired by the grounding beauty of nature, Clay is a sophisticated greige echoing the material’s soft, mouldable beginnings, while Terracotta is a warm, earthy red reminiscent of sun-baked ceramics. Together they feel calming, modern, and quietly transformative. I still don't know which one belongs on my wishlist, although both are threatening to ruin my self-control entirely. And because every case comes with RIMOWA’s lifetime guarantee, the choice somehow feels both indulgent and entirely sensible — a rare combination indeed.

Seat selection isn't simply logistics; it is self-knowledge. The window seat is for dreamers and photographers who believe they might catch the perfect cloud formation and change their lives. The aisle seat is for people who like room to stretch and a sense of freedom. The middle seat is for… no-one voluntarily. Avoid when possible.

Book in advance. You may resist in the moment, but future you — settled comfortably with your RIMOWA neatly stowed above — will be profoundly grateful.

An eye mask, neck pillow, and noise-reducing headphones should become your closest companions onboard. Pro tip: download a few meditations instead of worksheets. Some people become mysteriously productive when flying 10,000 metres above the earth, but the most effective time in a plane is the time when your stress gently dissolves, one deep breath at a time.

Aeroplane air has the moisture level of a desert in July. Your face will feel it immediately. A travel-sized moisturiser, a hydrating mist, and a reliable lip balm are the holy trinity of in-flight survival. Apply them with the calm seriousness of someone performing a ritual for radiant skin.

Keep everything in a compact pouch that fits neatly inside your RIMOWA Groove Bag or your Essentials Tote. That way, when the cabin lights dim and the turbulence begins its interpretive dance, your skincare remains the one element of life firmly under control.

Please don't put on sad old joggers that have seen things. Dress comfortably, but don't forget your style or personality. A favourite accessory, sunglasses (eternally flattering and brilliant for hiding puffiness), and a confident silhouette will take you far.

This is where the RIMOWA Groove collection genuinely shines. Crafted in Italy from soft, smooth leather, it translates RIMOWA’s iconic grooves into a new rhythm of horizontal and vertical lines. Whether you choose the Hobo Bag, the Shopping Bag, or a Cross-Body, each piece moves with you effortlessly, grounding your look in elegant utility.

If someone glances at you twice, let them. You look prepared for romance and security control in equal measure.

Yes, I know. This sounds like advice from a grandmother who once missed a ferry in 1972 and never recovered. But trust me: an extra half-hour won't disturb your life dramatically, yet it may save you from missing your flight entirely if the terminal decides to be chaotic. And if you don't want to wait at the gate, you almost always have our first recommendation: the lounge.

This is the most underrated travel tip in existence. The moment you return, life will attempt to pull you back into meetings, laundry, and the existential dread of unread emails. Don't let it. Plan at least one gentle buffer day — unpack slowly, reorder your home, and ease into reality as if you are stepping into a warm bath rather than a cold shower.

Your RIMOWA will open smoothly, your souvenirs will find their place, and your mind will thank you for not rushing back into chaos five minutes after landing.