A frequent speaker at Travel Classics Conferences, Don Nichols is a known expert on stylish writing and up-scale travel.  He has been at the helm of Private Clubs since 2008, when he spearheaded a redesign of the luxury life-style publication. The magazine has since won many awards, including gold in recent NATJA Magazine and Lowell Thomas Competitions, and gold medals in the Folio Awards. Don has worked as Managing Editor of FD Luxe, a publication he helped launch at the Dallas Morning News; a Senior Editor of American Way at American Airlines; and Executive Editor of Southwest Airlines’ Spirit.

If you could have a job outside of travel editorial, what would it be?

Captain of a yacht that sails charters in exotic tropical destinations.

What is your favorite book genre?

Modern literary fiction.

What are you reading now?

I’m headed out on an Italian cruise, so I just started reading an Italian-themed book recommended by my cruise line: La Bella Lingua: My Love Affair With Italian, the World’s Most Enchanting Language by Dianne Hales.

When you travel for a week or more, what is the item you can’t leave without (excluding your passport, of course)?

My workout clothes.

You’re invited to ride the Orient Express. Which three writers, dead or alive, do you want in your car?

I work with amazing travel writers who wow me with the stories they write for our magazine and other publications, so they’d make the perfect travel companions. I won’t mention any names; besides, I’d have trouble picking just three writers.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

I’m naturally curious, so I like having a job focused on what’s new. I feel like I’m always one step ahead of the curve on the topics we cover.

What new place would you like to visit? Why?

Croatia. I spent a day in one of its cities on a Seabourn cruise and the country’s beauty captivated me. But a day wasn’t enough. I’d like to go back and really immerse myself in its culture, via a sailing trip. The catamaran sail I booked for my one day in Croatia got rained out.

What are the essentials of a memorable travel story?

For our magazine, a travel story must have a strong news angle or a strong “why now” component in order to be compelling. A story also has added appeal when a writer can establish a strong connection to the destination and uses vivid description throughout the piece, putting the reader in the place.

What are your goals for Private Clubs in 2018?

We’d like to increase our presence on social media. On that front, we haven’t exactly been ahead of the curve but we’re in catch-up mode now.