In 2023 Mary Aarons and Tricia Heaton transitioned from Instagram friends to real life fun friends and travel buddies when Mary retired from her 45 year book publishing career and Tricia launched The Island Hopper. Mary has jumped into retirement with great enthusiasm traveling the world (often with wonderful husband Robert.)

Mary is a passionate knitter (of easy to travel with small projects), a reborn needlepointer (just getting back on track after a long hiatus) and an amateur photographer. (Tricia would argue that Mary is a much better photographer than “amature”!)

After years of living in NYC and LA, Robert and Mary moved to Gloucester MA almost 28 years ago. They live near the beach with two very active dogs; Birdie and new puppy Mr Peter Mouse. As the daughter of a journalist (famed photographer Slim Aarons) and a travel agent, Mary has been an avid traveler her entire life. My travels run the gamut from backpacks/Eurail/hostels to five-star hotels and everything in between. She has traveled solo, with Robert, and in groups. Mary was born a curious explorer.

As Mary says “retirement has provided me with the perfect excuse to travel! While we are still healthy and fit (and while we have a great pet-sitter) we plan to check off all of the locales that remain on our bucket list!”

MEET MARY AARONS:

Mary lived in Nice during her university years and was thrilled to find this Nice Longchamps bag!

What's your favorite luggage?

That’s a tough question. It all depends on the trip. Thank goodness we have a good-sized attic. I’m a huge fan of bright and colorful Lipault soft-sided Plume luggage. (I think they may have changed the name.) We have four pieces; two carry on-sized and two to check and they’ve lasted for years. I also have a set of very lightweight Brics hard-sided luggage that I use when I feel the need to be a bit more formal. Again, colorful is key! No matter how hard I try to change, I must admit, I am an over-packer. I fear not being prepared for whatever might occur weather-wise, event-wise etc! More often than not I’ll check one big bag and carry a T. Anthony tote on board.

Mary and Michael Kors at a Slim Aarons show at Bergdorf Goodman in NYC. Mary’s custom Longchamp bag was painted by Donald Robertson AKA @Drawbertson.

Do you have any pro travel tips?

Plan ahead! Make your plane and train reservations as far ahead of time as you can to ensure good seats. Book museums ahead of time. If you have a restaurant to you want to make sure you go to…reserve in advance. Maximize your benefits via your favorite airline’s point program. We try to earn miles for every dollar we spend. Even tho’ I’m a habitual overpacker I keep my toiletries and cosmetics to a minimum. While on vacation, keep routines simple! I use WALLET and NOTES on my iPhone for all of my travel docs/confirmations/itineraries. No more paper print-outs.

I love bags with many pockets. And I also adore pouches. I spend lots of time before each trip organizing what goes into each pocket and pouch; cords, crafts, jewelry, glasses, candy/gum/coughdrops/bars, hair clips/ties. I have searched far and wide for a lightweight aluminum hot/cold bottle for tea or water and I think I’ve just found the perfect kid-sized Yeti. In addition to a ton of pouches, I am a firm believer in packing cubes….especially compression cubes, On each trip,I try very hard to stick to neutral clothing and one fun accent color. I usually cannot live without packing a pair of Ilse Jacobsen Tulip flat slip-ons—comfortable, waterproof, can be dressed up or down! Very packable, very comfy!

Mary and her husband Robert are ready for their next adventure!

What are some essentials you are never without while traveling?

In addition to my iPad and a paperback, I always carry a fairly large cashmere shawl and a silk neck-scarf on the plane. I’m a firm believer In nylon compression knee socks which I put on the moment I board. I keep an Apple AirTag in each bag including my purse and attached to my phone. When I board the plane and then each morning while I travel I always take Berroca or Emergen-C to boost my immunity. I start each day with fresh OJ whenever I can. Hand sanitizer wipes are your friend! I try to always leave room in my carry-on for my Leica camera which luckily is quite small. I find that cross-body bags are the safest, most convenient purses. The smaller the better. Inside of it I have a slim wallet, iPhone, one lipstick & one chapstick, a small perfume, sunglasses, breathmints, a pen & small pad, and Compeed blister savers—my camera even fits into one of my favorite cross-body bags. I tend to switch things up a bit every trip so I don’t get bored of my belongings.

Editor’s note: Mary shared with us a few of her favorites in her suitcase.

Mary’s favorite travel underwear which she describes as “quick drying after laundering in hotel sink. They take up very little space in suitcase. Very comfy. Breathable!”
Mary’s favorite Smart Wool no show socks.. Mary says “They do not slip. And they never stink. I’ll wear for 3-4 days before laundering. Breathable! They work in hot and cold weather. “
Mary’s favorite Tulip sneakers.
Laundry tricks - Tide sink packs, Tide stick and Miss Mouth’ Messy Eater Stain Treater Wipes.
Mary’s favorite vitamin supplement Berocca.

What is your favorite destination?

It’s too hard to choose a single favorite! I have lots of favorites (perhaps topped by anywhere in Paris with a view of le Tour Eiffel.) I love going new places, but I also love going back to old faves to revisit my old haunts.My very favorite destination…our own bed at the end of a trip!

Most unforgettable trip?

In 2024 we traveled to Cambodia and Vietnam with a group of Annapolis and West Point alumni…and others. The amazing Kim Phuc (the Napalm Girl) and Nick Ut (who photographed the Pulitzer-winning photo) were the keynote speakers on our cruise, sat with us at dinners and accompanied us wherever we went. This was a once I’m a lifetime experience in a very special corner of the world. We started the trip doing a.m. and p.m. foodie tours of Siem Reap which were amazing!

Where are you dreaming of visiting that you haven't been to yet?

I’m hoping that 2026 is the year we make it to Antarctica and/or India. Africa is also still on my bucket list.

Where are you off to next?

I have two more big trips before I relax on the beach in Gloucester all Summer. In two weeks we’re off to a rented villa in Provence bookended by several days in Paris on each side. And after two days back home I’m off to four destinations in Scotland with one of my best childhood friends. This Fall--Switzerland and Japan (my first trip to this bucket list destination.)

MEET MARY AARONS: Adventurous spirit out exploring the world