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The new Max series Thirst with Shay Mitchell is not like other celebrity travelogues—and not just because it focuses on tasting beverages instead of food. The show is unpolished, documenting the titular host Shay Mitchell missing buses, getting blisters, changing outfits because she’s too sweaty, and repeating the same words as she grows tipsy (“Amazing!”). The first episode takes her to Peru, where her rodent-phobia sends her dashing out of a home occupied in part by a litter of baby guinea pigs. And instead of pretending every drink she tries is delicious, Mitchell is happy to tell her audience the truth. “It tastes like bad sushi,” she winces after sipping a fish-infused liquor.
Shay, who also founded the luggage brand Béis, is similarly frank when telling Condé Nast Traveler about the folks on flights who annoy her, the utter shock of her first time in business class, and her favorite destination from filming the show. Thirst is streaming now on Max.
Some of the lessons from filming:
I learned you could make wine out of potatoes. I didn’t know that prior to shooting, but it was fascinating and truly delicious. It wasn’t something you would try and be like, “Oh, this tastes like it’s not a grape.” No, it was fantastic! I also learned that the salt in Peru is way better because of the salt flats, and it makes a huge difference on the drink. Being a spicy marg girl, I enjoy salt on the rim, and now I just want it all to be from Peru.
The Thirst location she can’t wait to return to:
Cartagena! I absolutely loved it. It blew me away. I don’t know what I expected prior to going there—I always knew Colombia was on my bucket list—but after going there, and [seeing] the food, the drinks, the people, the culture, everything? I can’t wait to go back.
What she wears to fly:
I’m always comfortable. I will never travel in heels, ever. If I have to land and go somewhere, for work, they’ll be in my bag, but I’m very comfortable. I don't want anything restricting. I’m in loose clothing and in layers, because sometimes the plane is hot so I have a tank top underneath, and then sometimes it’s freezing so I bring a sweater. You never know the temperature of the airplane or where you're landing, so I’m always prepared—and I always have a pair of socks.
What’s in her carry-on bag:
What is not in my carry-on bag, is the question. Everything but the kitchen sink. And after becoming a mom—but no, I was always like this. I have snacks in my bag, I have vitamins, I have melatonin, I have skincare, I have face masks—a sleep mask always—and headphones and earplugs. I have it all. I’ve learned from my experiences traveling over the years that you can never be too prepared, so I’m Mary Poppins when I travel.
Whether she remembers her first time in business class:
My god, yes, I do. I remember booking Pretty Little Liars—I flew there in economy and back in business. I remember reading the menu like, Oh my gosh, they have steak on this?! It was so fancy. I for sure had a drink—I was of age!—and was just living the life. I had photos [of the flight] on my old laptop. I remember the car picking me up, with my name on the sign. These memories are ingrained, because it was a whole dream come true.
On revising her view that jet lag doesn’t really exist:
I used to say this a lot and honestly, I take it back now. I don’t know what happened after having kids; jet lag was like, “Oh yeah? I'm going to show you.” I recently went to Switzerland and couldn’t sleep for the life of me. I didn’t sleep for three days. I don’t know if it was the altitude or what, but I did not sleep. Before this, I was really good at jumping on the schedule of whatever the destination was. If I was on a plane and it was night, I would force myself to sleep. If I landed and it was daytime, I would stay up even if I was super tired. And I wouldn’t take anything for it. I bring melatonin with me now.
Her priorities when planning a vacation:
There always needs to be a cultural element. Even if we are going to a [resort], then there’s hopefully something at the hotel. If I go to Mexico, I want to have a mezcal or tequila tasting to further my knowledge. Give me something I can take back with me!
How her daughters have changed her approach to travel:
My Mary Poppins bag has gotten even bigger. I have toys, I have gummies. I have bribery—two iPads now. It’s just forced me to be a little bit more organized. When it's just me traveling, I can get away with packing the day before; I was never the person that packed the day of. But now I’ll pack a week in advance, and just have the suitcase open to constantly be like, Oh yeah, diaper cream. Oh yeah, sunscreen. This brush, this stuffy. Continuously throwing things in there all week, or I’m bound to forget something. But I also have a checklist.
The destination that blew her mind:
I had heard a lot about India, but until you actually go there and see it for yourself, you can’t really explain it. From the moment you land, you are hit in every single sense. Thailand was similar but not [as much]. India was fascinating, definitely very stimulating on all levels.
The hotel amenities she cares a lot about:
The bed is very important, with the right amount of pillows—and options of pillows. Not just ones that are soft, not just ones that are hard. Options are important to me. I like a firmer bed, and a good minibar selection.
Her travel pet peeve:
If you’re not connecting to your next flight, I don’t understand people who stand up when the plane lands. We’ve been sitting for hours! Just sit. The door hasn’t even opened yet. It drives me nuts when people are racing to get out. If you have a bag you’re picking up, you’re going to have to wait for it to come out. I’m probably the last one out, because if I have a checked bag—and I always do—I’m going to have to wait for it anyway. I might as well do it sitting. If this is your destination, just chill!
The best vacation she’s ever taken:
When my youngest was three months old, we went to Italy, to Ischia, which is my favorite island. It was just wonderful. I had both girls, my mom was there—which was also really nice, that I got to bring her—and it was all around a great trip.
Where she hasn’t been that she’s hoping to see next:
I haven’t been to New Zealand, and that’s a place that I really want to go. My phone has heard me mentioning it and I’m obviously targeted. It’s showing me so many ads and videos recently and it’s very enticing. It’s on my list. I’m manifesting!
