Meet your guide to luxury travel.

Claire: The best hotel I've ever been to was Olonana, one of the safari camp hotels on our Kenya and Uganda trip. Most safari camps, you'll just have a tent, but this is an actual room. It's a huge suite, with a sunken half-moon shaped living room, a gorgeous big beautiful bed with netting over it, and it faces a river full of hippopotamuses just living their best life.

The rooms have a huge wrap-around balcony complete with a daybed, so you can stop and take a moment to watch not only the hippos, but elephants, monkeys and other wildlife. Back inside, there's a massive slate-floored bathroom with a rain shower big enough to lie down in, and on the river side, a sunken tub looking out onto the balcony.

After a long day of adventure, the best spot is their bar, which at night turns into a spirit tasting lounge: all types of whiskey and, because you're in Africa, incredible gins. It's the perfect place for a nightcap by the roaring fire. Olonana is by far my best hotel experience in the world.

Claire: I've had amazing times there, but nothing can beat the time I've spent in South Africa. From the city, the vibe, the culture, the history in Johannesburg, there is so much to do and see.

Because I'm a foodie, the dining in Johannesburg is world class. Marble, one of the best restaurants in the world, looks right over the city. The nightlife is off the charts: Marabi Jazz, Chef Sanza, Pan Africa Plate.

From a historical perspective, and being a Black American, visiting Mandela's house is truly incredible. You're immersed in history, standing where he stood at such momentous times. The Apartheid Museum is a must-see and totally mind-blowing.

A quick flight out of Johannesburg and you're in Cape Town, which for me is a blend of Miami, the San Francisco wine country and Malibu. And I discovered my favorite wine there: Pinotage, which I first tasted with chocolate. That's right, chocolate, not cheese. It totally won me over.

Claire: Playa del Carmen, Mexico, since I live there most of the year. It's small and walkable. Within 10 minutes I can get tacos for a dollar, or walk down the corner for a Mexican soup, or go to a high-end restaurant and dine on the beach. And you're only an hour from Cancun.

My second is South Africa, without a doubt.

And my third is a tie: Thailand and Italy. But if I had to choose, Italy. Florence is one of my favorite places in the world and I can't get enough of the pasta. Seeing the ruins of the Roman Empire, I wanted to cry the first time. Having dinner in front of the Pantheon, just mind-blowing.

Claire: An Evian water mist to keep my face moist, and a magnesium lip balm, because cabin air makes your lips so dry. A solar charger, because keeping my phone charged without hunting for an outlet matters to me.

I never travel without my neck pillow. Some of my flights are 15+ hours and there's no way I want a kink in my neck affecting my adventures when I land. My Bose headset puts me in my own little world. And a travel humidifier: your face deserves it and you'll breathe easier at night.

Claire: Regardless of class of service, pack your favorite snacks. My favorite in-flight snack is fried chicken, so a lot of times before a long flight I'll pick up fried chicken and mac and cheese from a soul food place.

Even in business class the food can be good, but it's not always as good as your favorites. If you control your food, you can get on the flight, order a nice glass of bubbly, and just kick back. Dress comfortably, wear layers, and don't forget your neck pillow.

Claire: Antarctica was my 7th continent. Seeing the glaciers and the penguins was every bit as surreal as I hoped, and I got to lead the largest Black-led travel group there.

Next on my list? Heading back to Italy and going to the opera.