Conde Nast Traveller’s digital director Sarah Allard is no stranger to packing a carryon, but when she checked in to Lanserhof Tegernsee – a medical spa slap bang in the middle of miles of beautiful Bavarian countryside – the contents of her suitcase looked a little different to the last time she took to the skies. Gone were breezy two-pieces and flowing maxi dresses best suited to islands in Greece or the Balearics, and in were minimalist separates with an athleisure twist. Ahead lay a week of analysis, detoxification and reflection. Here’s what she packed and why.
The packing essentials
“I love a soft shell suitcase and the Antler Lightest Cabin Suitcase is my current favourite. No ‘proper’ handbag was necessary for this trip, so I took the trusty Uniqlo crossbody bag and a card holder for the flight, then slotted a foldable tote into my case for days at the spa.”
The sportswear
“The medi-spa experience can be tailored to individual needs, but I knew there would be physical movement and nutrition rules involved in my plan so I packed accordingly and chose pieces I could mix and match depending on the activity and the weather. I also had a baseball cap on hand – one that I could wear both during and after exercise.”
The shoes
“Trainers are the obvious choice when it comes to days off duty. Especially for this trip, when an hour’s walk through the German countryside was a morning ritual. At home my gym go-to is the Nike Quest 6 running shoes, so they were first in the case. They’re also lightweight: a winner when you’ve got carryon luggage allowance. For a slightly smarter alternative and something to wear on the flight, I took the suede adidas Handball Spezial. I love that this shape dates back to the 70s and even though it’s more of a fashion piece today, it was initially designed for indoor sports, so it’s still super comfy. Lastly, Birkenstocks were non-negotiable. I take them on most trips and wear them throughout the summer in London, too.”
The daytime attire
Conde Nast Traveller’s digital director Sarah AllardSarah Allard
“It’s not every day you find yourself taking an alpaca for a walk through forests and fields, but when you do, it’s fuss-free separates that you need. I’m a fan of a monochrome palette, and nowhere does it better than Arket. My natural aesthetic (unintentionally) fitted with the vibe at Lanserhof where everything felt clean-cut and cleansing. Linen separates were the hardest working pieces in my rotation, and they’ll work just as well on the trip I’ve planned to Crete for next month.”
