Shay Mitchell Shares Packing Tips, What It's Like Traveling With Her Kids, and the 1 Thing She'll Never Do on a Plane

The "Pretty Little Liars" star chats with Travel + Leisure about her favorite Béis luggage, and how she's hoping to instill a love for travel in her kids, and more.

Shay Mitchell has never been one to sit still — from starring in the buzziest series like Pretty Little Liars, You, and Dollface to co-authoring the novel Bliss and running her own production company Amore & Vita. Her active lifestyle was the motivation behind her launching Béis, best known for its fashionably functional luggage, in 2018.

“People are always moving,” the actress and entrepreneur told Travel + Leisure at a Béis x Shopify pop-up shop event in New York City. “We're not just a travel brand, we're an on-the-go brand — whether it's to the grocery store, to the gym, or traveling, we have something that's going to help you feel more comfortable when you leave the house.”

While she loves “the fact that other people love it as well,” the 36-year-old admits that she “selfishly” designed the products for herself, always traveling with Béis’ original carry-on, packing cubes, and cosmetic case. “I have every single piece and regularly use them – I created it because there was a need for my own use.”

Beis

Here are 6 T+L editor-tested and approved luggage pieces from Béis.

When it comes to her packing style, though, Mitchell admits she’s an overpacker — always going for her Béis 29-inch check-in roller. Though she tends to pack last-minute, she’s also uber organized, packing her clothes by outfit and taking photos before folding them in packing cubes. “That way I can look back and figure out what I want to wear that day."

After all, the Canadian has always been struck with a serious case of wanderlust. “My number one love has always been travel,” she said. “Now it’s my kids, and I now get to travel with my kids — it's the best combo.”

The mom of two daughters passed along that love right away by giving both girls travel-themed names. She had first heard the name Atlas for her 4-year-old “from a friend” and immediately knew “that’s exactly what her name is going to be."

For 1-year-old Rome, it was a combination of being a tribute to her grandmother Romaine (“she was my best friend”) and the Italian capital being “one of my favorite places.”

“It all just clicked perfectly and everything felt very meant to be,” she said of her daughter's names.

Mitchell didn’t waste any time taking her kids on the road with her, taking Atlas along on a workt trip to Paris when the baby was just six months old. “From that day until now, she’s been the best traveling companion,” she said. “We have a routine down. She jumps on the luggage and we just stroll through the airport.”

Calling her eldest her “mini me”—a “glam girl” who loves pink, sparkles, and Barbie — she explained it’s simply “in her nature” to be a “super easy” traveler. In fact, Atlas accompanied her mom to New York City for the event, and was spotted in the corner making friends with a baby pup while Mitchell worked. “She came with me on the trip because she and I are like this when we’re traveling,” the actress said, crossing her fingers.

Shay Mitchell

Aisle or window?
Aisle because I don't want to be giving anybody a lap dance while trying to go to the bathroom.

Favorite way to pass time on the long flight?
Go through your photos and delete!

The number one tip for traveling with kids?
Later flights, so they're naturally more tired. 
Beauty tip for plane rides?

You are not catching me wearing makeup on a plane — I don’t want clogged pores!

First memorable trip as a kid?
Cruise ships — my parents were obsessed with them back in the day. We went to Hawaii and Alaska, which was cool and memorable. 

Expanding to a family of four with partner Matte Babel, has definitely changed their travel dynamics. “Rome is like WWE on the airplane from the time the plane takes off to when it lands,” she admitted. “She’s like wrestling me the entire time, but Atlas sleeps and watches movies.”

But it’s their different styles that she loves, especially her younger one’s “wackiness” and “fearlessness” and her older one’s sense of being “super chill.” “They couldn’t be more different and it’s very interesting to see that dynamic,” Mitchell said. “I didn't have a sister growing up but being able to watch it through them is really cool.”

Her favorite place to take them these days is on trips back to Vancouver, where her parents and good friends are. “Now my best friends have kids — a lot of girls — so it’s nice when we bring them all together,” she said. “Plus I get to show them all the places I grew up.”

She has grand plans to show them the world as well, especially Tokyo and Kyoto. “There’s something to do for everybody there,” Mitchell said. “ It's beautiful, super safe, and I love the food—the kids love sushi too. It would be a really cool experience, plus there's Disneyland there.”

Even with a bigger travel group these days, Mitchell is still just as passionate about exploring.

“I'm getting to see the world through both of their eyes,” she said. “Everything is super exciting, but you definitely need a bigger car.”

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