Travel Diary | RAYA

Years ago, I took an incredible yoga trip with GYPSET x Yoga For Bad People (fitting, right?) to Italy. After packing my bags and catching a flight, I landed in Naples. With just 20 minutes of sleep, I then hopped on a ferry to Panarea, my ultimate happy place.

Panarea, part of the Aeolian Islands, is a tiny yet chic island in the Mediterranean. It’s the smallest of the seven inhabited Aeolian Islands, a volcanic chain north of Sicily.

Our mornings started with early runs from our villa down to the beach for a refreshing plunge. This was followed by morning meditation and two solid hours of yoga with a stunning view of Stromboli, one of the few active volcanoes in Italy. We took a boat from Panarea to Stromboli for hiking, shopping, and pizza—highly recommend all these activities.

I vividly remember jetting off into the night as the sun was setting and looking back at Stromboli. All the elements were at play at this moment. The sky was burnt orange, and the ocean was a black abyss reflecting the flames and embers disappearing into the water, with stars lighting up the night sky. It was a reminder that we are here temporarily and at any moment, something or someone could simply snatch you up.

While Raya is a tiny little island, the shopping there is a treasure trove of one-of-a-kind prints, patterns, and pieces. The nightlife never disappoints either, with DJs arriving by rose-gold cigarette boats to Meriam’s discotheque, which gives off serious Studio 54 vibes.