A moment with Jennifer, Naya’s new travel expert
A moment with Jennifer, Naya’s new travel expert
Photo by Serey Morm
Born and raised in Barrie, a small Canadian town in Ontario, Jennifer McClymont grew up overlooking Lake Simcoe and making it a big part of her daily life.
At a young age, Jennifer was already dreaming of securing a pilot license and planning her way to a life of adventure and travel. Jennifer modeled in New York City and subsequently lived in other chic destinations such as Miami, Paris, London and Punta del Este.
Her whereabouts have also taken her to Morocco, where Jennifer drank sweet mint tea with rug vendors in the famous souk of Marrakech, swimming in the hot or cold waters of the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic oceans, floating for hours in the Dead Sea and visiting three different continents in just 6 days.
Shortly after the pandemic started, her family decided to change city life for life by the sea and moved to Punta del Este where they still are enjoying the relaxed beauty of the South American gem.
As Jennifer´s model career winded down, her interest in travel has only increased. Assisting others in their future voyages also gives her the accomplished and satisfying feeling of journey even if that journey is not hers.
She is now Naya´s new Travel Expert, bringing all her experience and passion into making traveler´s journeys and discoveries unforgettable and unique. We couldn´t miss the opportunity to have a conversation with her.
What would you say are your three favorite places to eat in the world?
Supporting my native Canada first and foremost, I would have to say, Supply and Demand in Ottawa where they “set out to cook food that we like and enjoy feeding our friends and family.” Their menu, made with sustainable ingredients, always offers light, vibrant raw bar dishes, vegetable-focused small plates, as well as savoury, rustic pastas either made by hand or extruded daily.
Parador La Huella in Jose Ignacio, Uruguay, is one of the best restaurants in South America and here “In the kitchen we don't invent anything… we take care of the best that the sea, the earth and the fire give us ... " There is nothing like spending the morning at the beach and then rocking up to La Huella for some lunch and a large pitcher of Clericot (white wine sangria) and enjoy all locals and foreigners alike.
Matsuhisa in Los Angeles is definitely my go-to when I am in the city of Angels. Nobu’s first American restaurant opened in 1987 has kept its charm throughout the years. Here I have had the pleasure of meeting the man himself and if that wasn’t enough, being served by him as well! I am still impressed that a reservation can be made with very little notice and is still one of the most famous and unpretentious restaurants I have had the pleasure of dining in.
What’s your favourite destination?
Morocco has to be one of my favorite destinations where I was able to visit many times through fashion shoots but also returned for my own journey. I love everything from the vibrant, aromatic and bustling souks to the intimate restaurant settings. You feel you are dining in a local family's home, which by the way you can do as well. You can experience everything from sandy beaches to starry nights in the desert or visit the oldest city in Africa then off to the Atlas Mountains! Whatever your personal journey is, Morocco has it all. Every time I describe Morocco to someone I use the term “step back in time,” as that’s how I feel when I am there. It's like time travel really does exist and you are transported to a different era.
And the one you've never visited but you would like to?
I have always wanted to visit Vietnam, Cambodia and Colombia. I love history and these three countries have an abundance of that. The magnitude of landscapes is extraordinary and the grand structures seem almost unbelievable and last but not least the cuisine! I am a self-confessed foodie and appreciate eastern cuisine so I look forward to one day trying these countries' culinary delights.
What's the most amazing spot your eyes have seen?
I would have to say one of the most amazing places I have seen were the Hvalfjörður and Borgarfjörður Fjords in Iceland near Reykjavik. Formed by glacier tongues, they were absolutely breathtaking and somehow “magical”. The crisp, moist air was an aroma mixed with salty sea and damp moss, pure and clean. I went to Iceland in June so there was daylight 24 hours which made what I saw almost dreamlike. Am I actually here seeing this?
Photo by Jon Flobrant
Could you give us a forecast on how you see the travel industry in the following year?
I believe people are excited and confident to begin travelling after living through the last year and a half of this pandemic. I have spoken to many people who, by not being able to travel, their views on how and where they would like to go have changed dramatically.
Many people including myself have had time to reflect on what is important to them and I feel their future journeys are going to be very different than before. Wellness, whether physically or mentally, is more important now than it has ever been and choosing destinations to connect with ourselves, nature and local cultures is for me the way forward in the travel industry.
What is the key to planning a memorable journey?
First decide why you want to go on this new journey. If you are looking for adventure, relaxing, immersing into new cultures, deciding the motivation is key for a memorable journey.
Choose somewhere different and new. The world is big and we only live once!
Decide who you want to share this journey with. The people you travel with are a fundamental part of the journey. If not, go solo! you will meet new and amazing people you will never forget.
Choose a destination that offers activities you enjoy and new ones you would like to try. Travelling is the perfect excuse to try new things that might change the way you see life.
Set reasonable expectations in regards to length of travel and what you would like to do and see. As I said, you only live once, but when discovering a new place, don't rush. Take the time to meet new people, to smell and taste new flavours, this is something you will never forget.
What's your advice for someone who likes to travel but has never tried a curated journey?
Curated journeys give you the peace of mind that every detail has been planned by experts and they are there to guide you throughout from beginning to end. Especially nowadays, with travel restrictions due to Covid -19, conflicts and other issues that affect travel, curated journeys offer comfort in knowing your needs are our priority and your priority is to have the best experience possible.
Knowledge is at the forefront, in my opinion, when it comes to tailor made trips. We want our travellers to have a different experience than the average tourist, we want you to immerse yourself in the culture and visit places that are normally not offered but we have access too. Each person's journey is their own, we understand that and we are here to help you curate that unforgettable experience.
Welcome to Naya Jennifer!
