The world’s most influential travelers share their must-packs.
You may know award-winning actor Justin Theroux through his eclectic range of films and cult-favorite television roles—Mulholland Drive, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, The Leftovers. Or maybe you’ve followed his global travels via social media with his pitbull, Kuma, who accompanies him everywhere, from film sets to far-flung escapes. Now, 11 months into a year that’s taken him all over, Theroux steps into the role of Global Explorer for Marriott International’s The Luxury Collection, starring as “The Curator” in a new series of short films that follow the actor as he enjoys breakfast, unwinds in a bubble bath, and generally shows off his love of hotels. “I’m a pretty good traveler,” says Theroux. “I make it a point to get at least out of the country once or twice, if I can, three times a year. Some of them are just convenient places [from New York City] like Mexico, but I really love Asia—and of course, Europe.”
Condé Nast Traveler spoke with Theroux about one particularly standout European work trip: Milan, to film The Devil Wears Prada 2, followed by a planned—and deeply enjoyable—stretch in Lake Como. It was a trip, he says, spent discovering new favorite local restaurants, celebrating both lavishly and like a local, and taking in la dolce vita between shooting days. “Travel sometimes gets more and more homogeneous as time goes on,” says Theroux. “So you have to work a little bit harder for more unique travel experiences. And they always pay off.” Below, Theroux unpacks his trip for us.
The trip
What trip are you unpacking for us?
A lot of my trips have been work-related—so it’s always that duality of a location, rather than a vacation. I always try to sneak in a vacation while I’m there, though. The last one I went on was Milan and Lake Como to shoot Devil Wears Prada 2, which we also filmed a bit in New York. I was traveling with the cast, as well as my wife.
Why was this trip special?
It was one of those business trips where work felt more incidental. I was also able to explore with my wife on downtime, and to spend time with my brother’s girlfriend, who is Milanese. I love Italy—I think everyone does—but this was my first time exploring Milan with a local.
