We’ve been longtime followers of Christine Kirk, who is known in the Twitterverse as @LuxuryPRGal. With almost 23,000 followers, this social media pro is a serial Tweeter, sending out dozens of Tweets a day on topics ranging from food to travel and technology. As the Founder and CEO of the California-based Social Muse Communications, it’s her job to live, breathe, eat and sleep, social media, so really it’s all in a day’s work.

Between advising her hospitality and travel clients on social media and PR, Christine is also a food and travel writer, regularly contributing to publications including CBS Los Angeles and JustLuxe. Plus if you’ve ever used the hashtag #luxchat, you should thank Christine because it was her who founded the quarterly Twitter chat, which intersects luxury brands with social media.

We were thrilled to have the chance to chat with this luxury travel expert to find out her must-haves, favourite experiences and of course, what she wears along the way.

Where was the last place you travelled to? Was it for work or pleasure?
Most, if not all my travel is work related in some way. In my job, business is pleasure! My most recent trip was just last week to New York City. A client of mine who is a chef was cooking at the James Beard House – a real honor in the culinary world. What the Oscars are to film, the James Beard Foundation is to food.

What’s your carry-on bag?
Personalized or monogrammed @TumiTravel luggage is always luxurious.

Three things you can’t leave home without.
iPad, iPhone, and a killer pair of stilettos.

Travel & Style’s Pick: Giuseppe Zanotti suede colorblock ankle strap pumps, saksfifthavenue.com

What are some of your carry-on essentials?
Kiehl’s lip balm, your favorite hand/body lotion (planes dry you out, it’s important to stay moisturized), anti-bacterial wipes for wiping down airplane armrests and tray table, some kind of healthy snack usually nuts and fresh or dried fruit to keep me going, and prevent me from binging on airport junk food.

How do you kill time waiting for your flight?
Tweeting, of course! Follow my travel adventures on Twitter @LuxuryPRGal.

Favourite hotel?
Oh, wow. That’s like asking a mother who her favorite child is. I can’t answer that, but I can tell you that some of my favorite hotels are: @TheCarlyleHotel, any @RitzCarlton, any @FourSeasons but especially @FSThailand @BeverlyWilshire & @FSLosAngeles, @HotelBelAir, @ThePeninsulaBH, and on and on…

Amenity/service every hotel should have.
Luxury beauty products in the bathroom are always a must. My favourites are Acqua di Parma and Asprey. Also, a welcome amenity upon checking in to my room with a personalized treat to eat or drink, is always appreciated. Also, pillow cases embroidered with my initials is always a nice touch.

Best meal on your last trip (or ever). Where and what did you have?
I’ve had outstanding meals at five-star hotels and hole-in-the-wall local restaurants alike. Don’t be afraid to venture outside your hotel or resort to truly experience the local flavour.

Travel music playlist?
I listen to a little bit of everything, so I love The Beatles, Katy Perry, Adele, Bob Marley, Red Hot Chili Peppers, JayZ, among others…

Favourite travel-friendly beauty product?
Kiehl’s makes all their products in convenient travel size bottles so it’s always easy to stock up there before a big trip, instead of the hassle of pouring my full-size product into small bottles.

Has social media ever helped/hindered you in your travels? Share!
I have built an entire career around social media and travel, so it has definitely benefited my life! As the Founder and CEO of Social Muse Communications, I advise luxury travel, restaurant, technology, and lifestyle brands on social media marketing, traditional public relations campaigns, and online branding. I have amassed over 22,000 engaged followers on Twitter, and am a guest blogger and speaker on various social media, PR and luxury lifestyle subjects. Additionally, I am the founder of the popular live Twitter chat #luxchat — a live online discussion about the intersection of luxury brands and social media.

Prestigious past guests include, Lexus, The Ritz-Carlton Hotels, Four Seasons Hotels, Exclusive Resorts, Bergdorf Goodman, and many more. I am also a freelance writer covering travel and food beats for CBSLA.com and JustLuxe.com.

Tell us what your airplane style is?
I’m not sure when everyone crossed over to the sloppy side, but just because you’re getting on an airplane doesn’t mean I need to see you in your pajamas. Travel used to be a special occasion where people actually got dressed up. While I go for comfort, that definitely doesn’t mean I’m wearing wrinkled sweats. In the summer months, I love wearing white jeans, a colourful or print top, and wedge sandals. I always bring a scarf or wrap as planes tend to get cold. In Fall and winter, I love to wear jeans, a cozy but pretty sweater like cashmere, and a killer pair of boots. Favourite brands to wear when travelling @BananaRepublic @HM @Chanel anything from @Saks.

Travel & Style’s Pick: J. Crew Collection cashmere boyfriend cardigan, jcrew.com

Favourite destination for shopping?
New York, NY.

What has been your most luxurious travel experience?
Most recently, a trip to the Four Seasons Tented Camp in the Golden Triangle of Thailand was a truly memorable experience. The resort is located in the Golden Triangle where Thailand, Laos, and Burma meet. The resort is an elephant reserve nestled in the jungle and you have to take a speed boat across the Mekong River to check in. It was the epitome of luxury to have the opportunity to feed and bath the baby elephants, ride the adult elephants, sleep in a luxurious climate controlled “tent,” and eat authentic Thai cuisine. Also, don’t miss their Spa. We had a Couples Massage at their beautiful the open-air Spa that was unforgettable. Also, on our last night, my husband and I had a private dinner in the resort’s wine cellar, and afterwards were taken into the garden, where we lit paper lanterns, made a wish, and released them into the night sky — a tradition in the region — and one we will never forget.

Dream destination?
Wow, again there’s so many beautiful and exotic places so it’s impossible to pick just one, but I’d love to go to Greece, France (the countryside and Paris), go back to Italy and take cooking classes in Tuscany, Australia, go on safari in Kenya. Also on my list are, South Africa, Scotland, Ireland, China, and Japan. If life and luxury are about experiences, there’s nothing better than the opportunity to travel.