In early 2024, after a few glasses of Beaujolais and a painterly sunset, I pitched an idea to my now-husband: Why don’t we chuck our stuff in storage and travel for a year? With no kids, no pets, and serendipitously synced freelance stages of our careers, it was, in my opinion, a bullet-proof proposal. Chalk it up to the flowing wine and romantic backdrop, but he was onboard, and the wheels were instantly set in motion.
Among the gargantuan spreadsheet of things to do prior to embarking on this grand adventure was securing the perfect vessel in which to hold my few and precious belongings. A suitcase that could withstand months upon months of baggage carousels, Uber trunks, and other assorted precarious situations was a must. Functionality aside, I also wanted luggage that felt refined and elevated the travel experience. When I spotted Paravel’s Aviator Trunk, I knew my search had ended then and there.
Top it off with the brand’s Packing Suite (a set of organizers tailored specifically to the suitcase’s elongated shape), plus a monogramming service (on both the exterior and the packing cubes), and it was settled. This would be my trusted travel companion for the next year.
My Paravel suitcase in the New Zealand countryside.
And my packing suite at Hotel de la Ville in Rome.
Paravel has been on the market since 2016 and is well-regarded among travel enthusiasts for its design and craftsmanship. The Aviator Trunk offers more space than the brand’s Aviator Grand Suitcase, which naturally lent itself to my long-haul journey. It’s also built to last: The wheels glide effortlessly across all surfaces, the exterior is tough as nails, and the constant packing and unpacking feels like no big deal.
An aside: For those on a briefer journey who don’t need the extra space, the Checked Grand size is equally excellent.
Now entering month eight, I can triumphantly declare the decision to purchase my Paravel luggage was a successful one. My Aviator Trunk has seamlessly seen me through the remote New Zealand countryside, into the steamy jungles of Indonesia, down crowded alleyways in Vietnam, and along safaris in India and South Africa. While I loathe the term «digital nomad,» this suitcase has indeed allowed me to adopt an untethered lifestyle without losing my marbles. In fact, it has transformed into a sort of micro-closet for me—one that, when I reflect back on this period, I’ll be grateful I had along for the ride.
A California native, Nicole is now a NYC-based writer who enjoys crafting stories where several pockets of culture intersect, from style and beauty to travel and design.
