Out of Office Curated

Let's explore the world one museum and one plate at a time!

By Kristen Fung

Certified travel advisor

Dear Reader,

Welcome to Out of Office Curated! Hello! I'm Kristen, and I'm thrilled you're here for the very first issue of this newsletter.

A little bit about me

I am a travel advisor and Los Angeles expert who can't wait to talk about other cities I love--Chicago, Montreal, Barcelona, and more. My focuses are food, art, and culture.

I am an independent certified travel advisor with Fora, an agency that allows me to curate and book travel worldwide.

Some of you may know me from This Ugly Beautiful City, where I advise on all things L.A. l love talking about the best place to get coffee, our city's well-known and weird museums, great small business shopping, and can't-miss experiences across the city's hundreds of neighborhoods.

Out of Office Curated

This is my chance to talk about the places I love, things I wish I had known, and a vehicle to help you make the most out of your Paid Time Off.

This is what you can expect from this newsletter.

A note that includes

A city-focused mini-itinerary that includes a checklist of things to do, my favorite hotels, and things to do on every budget. —or—
Personal travel stories: The time I packed for three weeks and five cities in a carry-on.—or—
Sales and trends you should jump on before it is too late

I will always share travel trips & trends

Tips: helpful tourist tips or travel-related changes—like ETIAS, navigating LAXit, or tips that have helped me have great travel experiences.
Trends: Where people are going and the types of travel I am booking.

I will share any deals you can get by booking with me

As a travel advisor, I get notifications of travel deals on hotels and experiences I would like to share with you.

Now, let's explore the world, one museum, and one plate at a time!

Ready to chat now?

The Three Bs (Budget, Bonus, Bougie)

I love mixing high and low when I travel, and my city itineraries will give you a wide range of things to do, exhibits to see, places to stay, and restaurant recommendations. Regardless of your budget, I want to tell you about the best experiences. Hence, the three Bs.

Budget

This is for those who want to enjoy a location without worrying about credit card interest or getting a second job when they get home. You also don't want to miss out on the fantastic things a location offers.

(Budget: Free museums, cheap eats, and budget-friendly, not shabby hotels.)

Kenny Scharf's Inside Out is part of The Broad's free general collection.

Bonus

For those of you who can spend more on a splurge or two on vacation. Think of it this way: you just got a bonus and want to splurge a little on experiences, sounds, and eats.

(Bonus: Interactive installations, craft cocktails, boutique hotels, and a splurge-worthy meal.)

Craft cocktail in Ottawa's Byward Market

Bougie

This is your once-in-a-lifetime trip or for those who don't have to consider the bill.

(Bougie: Five-star hotels, private drivers, Michelin Stars and Keys, and once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.)

Part of Geranium's multi-course lunch, Copenhagen

Tips from a Traveler: Identification

This is important but often forgotten. Not having the right identification when you travel can cause so many headaches. With tons of changes coming in the next year, are you ready?

Tip: Check your passport right now!

If you are reading this at work, set a reminder to check when you are at home. If your passport expires a year from now or less, it is time to make moves to get it approved.

Traveling with kids? Check theirs, too.

Some countries require your passport to be valid SIX MONTHS after you return.

Learn more

Tip: REAL ID

For U.S. travelers, REAL ID isn't new. It will finally be a requirement in May 2025. If you are enrolled in CLEAR, having a REAL ID is already a requirement. This service speeds up the security process.

I have pre-check and CLEAR and my security time is less than 10 minutes.

Did you also know that your CLEAR status can expedite customs at select airports worldwide?

Learn more