Intro by Tricia Heaton: I was sooooo excited to read this! We have now traveled with Anne in Italy, Vermont, and Kenya. She always has the biggest smile on her face and very interesting and funny things to say!! Her energy is magnificent and contagious and we love seeing her. In Kenya all the gals were asking her about what she packed because she seemed to have nailed it! So looking forward to seeing Anne again at Island Camp in Maine in September!

I learned recently that you did a NOLS trip-- something you have in common with The Island Hopper's co-founder Courteney McGowan. Which program did you do? How long ago was that? I'm curious to hear if that experience influenced how you still pack today.

I did the 30-day Wind River Range trip in Wyoming in 1983. I learned a lot on that trip, mainly to always leave a place better than you found it, and as for packing, rolling clothes is essential in a 70 lb backpack or any soft luggage. Sadly, in spite of that trip, I’ve always been a chronic over packer. On the trips I’ve taken with the Island Hopper to Lucca and Kenya, I had to fit everything into a carry on, and I did pretty well with a few missteps that I plan to fix on my next trips. Also, having the chance to talk with Courtney and Chris Hanson who was an instructor there, about each of our experiences with NOLS was one of the many memorable moments from our Kenya trip.

What is your favorite luggage?

For carry on, which I mostly try to do, the Away bag has a flexible shell that allows for more to be stuffed in. But I’m always on the hunt for the perfect bag and have bookmarked many of the favorites shared by other Suitcase Stories you’ve done.

Do you have a travel uniform?

On long flights, I stick with black or navy because otherwise, the inevitable spots show up. And layers for the plane and final destination.

Essentials you are never without?

For travel, it’s my Kindle, a navy light down jacket that fits more like a cardigan and is great indoors, outdoors, casual, and rolls up very small. The perfect layer. Also, morning coffee and after my last trip to Kenya, I will never travel internationally without cold medicine.

Any pro travel tips you care to share?

Cold medicine (tip above), along with immune boosting sachets or tablets, drops, swabs and a probiotic are essential for staying healthy. Electrolyte tablets are handy because no matter how much you try to drink water, it’s never enough when you’re traveling. Most importantly, stay flexible - sometimes a plane’s delay or closed museum can lead to a great memory that you hadn’t planned on.

What is your favorite destination?

I always love going to Paris. I love the city, the people, the art and architecture, restaurants, coffee, the shopping and the beautiful language.

Anne in Paris wearing her favorite down jacket and COFFEE

What has been your most memorable trip thus far?

It’s a tie between Galapagos with my sister and niece and Kenya with you and the Island Hoppers. They were both incredible and life changing in different ways. Kenya was the most out of my comfort zone, so if I had to pick one, I’d go with that.

Anne, Tricia and Island Hopper friends on safari in Kenya in 2025

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

India, Japan, New Zealand, Vietnam, Thailand, Morrocco and Sweden.

Is there something you collect on your travels?

I love to get gifts for people when I travel and of course that includes for myself too. Something that reminds me of the place and/or is locally made. In Kenya, it was a lot of beads. I rarely come home without a new book. I also like to hold on to physical maps, tickets for museums or shows, and matchbooks whenever I find them.

Tell us about the cross-body bag that you had in Kenya-- is it one you've had for a long time or something you bought particularly for the trip? Several of your fellow travelers thought it was the perfect bag.

I bought that bag for the trip and it was the perfect travel bag because it had pockets inside and out, and was very lightweight. Of course I usually jammed it with too many things, but I was happy to have all those things with me throughout the day’s adventure. I even got another one in brown when I returned. It’s from Ori London and it’s called the Belsize Puffy Shoulder Bag and you can get it here.

Anything else you would like to add?

I was very lucky to travel with my parents and mostly my Mom and sister, while I was growing up. My Mom loved nothing more than to plan a trip on a “shoestring budget”. As a result, we were never quite sure what we were getting in to, but that led to a lot of “adventures” because things didn’t always go as planned. I believe that’s what has influenced me the most in becoming the traveler I am today. I lack her passion for pre-planning a trip so traveling with the Island Hoppers is perfect because I get to show up with curiosity and openness and I’m never disappointed. I meet the best people on these trips too. I’ve been to Lucca, Dorset Summer Camp and Kenya so far, and am eyeing the new Maine trip!

Meet Anne Hubben: Island Hopper & Traveler Extraordinaire