Travel and holidays often come with unexpected hurdles, especially when personal challenges like ADHD and OCD are involved. But here's where it gets controversial: many don’t realize just how much these conditions can impact even the most routine getaway, making travel far more complex and emotionally taxing than it appears. Pearl Lowe, a talented fashion and interiors designer, and former singer-songwriter from London, openly shares her experiences, shedding light on the often-overlooked struggles faced by those with similar conditions.
At 55, Pearl is married to musician Danny Goffey. Together, they have three children: Alfie, 29, Frankie, 26, and Betty, 20. She is also the proud mother of Daisy Lowe, a successful model, from her previous relationship with singer Gavin Rossdale. The family resides in the quaint town of Frome, Somerset.
For Pearl, holidays are rarely straightforward. Her diagnosis of severe OCD means she requires her environment to meet very specific standards—things must be just right. Meanwhile, her ADHD causes her to stumble over details during travel, such as misreading documents or making simple but impactful mistakes. She recounts how she's arrived at airports on the wrong days, checked into the wrong hotels, or once, even traveled with an empty suitcase because she forgot to pack! Despite her tendency to overpack, she often ends up wearing the same outfit repeatedly, though luckily she can borrow clothes from her daughters—excluding Betty, whose tiny skirts and shorts are a little too risqué for her.
Long-haul flights are particularly challenging for Pearl, as she tends to become bored easily. Yet, she believes some destinations make the tedious journey worthwhile. She describes Sri Lanka as vastly underrated—a stunning country with genuinely kind people and luxurious hotels. Her family visited just before the pandemic, traveling from Colombo to Tangalle, where they stayed at the Amanwella and enjoyed a crocodile safari on the river.
Pearl’s love for Mexico is also strong. She reminisces about her recent trip to Tulum, where she stayed at La Valise and Our Habitas—both celebrated for their impressive interior designs. Though she’s yet to explore Mexico City, her fascination with artist Frida Kahlo gives her a compelling reason to visit, hoping to see her home there someday.
Recently, Pearl and her family sold their sprawling 11-bedroom house in Somerset, as they plan to downsize. They spend part of the week in their Notting Hill apartment but are now planning to settle permanently in Frome because they genuinely love the community. Her favorite local spot is the High Pavement restaurant—an intimate front room in Frome’s St Catherine’s Quarter that requires advance booking for its exceptional tapas. She also enjoys Frome’s monthly market, held on the first Sunday from March to December, which is brimming with delicious food, antiques, and various treasures. Notably, Somerset also offers some of the UK's top hotels, like Number One Bruton, renowned for its stunning design, and Babington House, where Pearl and her husband celebrated their gothic-inspired winter wedding in 2008.
Once her move is complete, Pearl looks forward to traveling again. She briefly considered a home exchange but found many offers unappealing or unsuitable—she feels it’s only fair to exchange homes with similarly valued properties, which seems hard to find in the current market.
Return trips to Morocco excite her, especially after staying at Al Fenn in Marrakesh—a vibrantly colorful boutique hotel with exceptional cuisine and enchanting interiors. Her adventures also include exploring the Atlas Mountains and celebrating a friend’s 50th birthday at a venue nestled at the mountain's foot, experiences she treasures.
The Greek island of Paxos ranks high on her list—she often stays in a villa, but once she chartered a unique 109-year-old boat, Circe, through Scott Williams Villas. Despite the tiny cabins, the experience was magical—her skipper, Adonis, played guitar every evening at sunset, creating memories she cherishes forever.
However, not all trips have been smooth. A family holiday to Goa, India, six years ago turned challenging when illness swept through their resort, leaving everyone profoundly unwell. Pearl vividly remembers boarding her flight home, grateful to escape. Yet, her desire to revisit India remains alive, especially to explore Jaipur.
Reflecting on her childhood, she recalls annual trips to Mallorca, staying at the same Meliá hotel, where she was often too young to join her parents’ nightlife adventures. As she grew older, family holidays shifted—her parents took her to places like Barbados, staying at the luxurious Sandy Lane hotel. Her father's purchase of a Miami house when she was nine created summer memories, filled with the city’s colorful architecture, South Beach’s lively scene, and art exhibitions—elements that hold a special place in her heart, especially since her father passed away in 2016.
Her first solo holiday came at 17 when she traveled to Provence with friends, staying at Club Med—a lively, carefree experience that marked her first step into independence, albeit accompanied by endless drinking and partying, characteristic of the late 1980s.
In her new book, Faded Glamour in the City (published by Cico Books), Pearl shares these stories and more, offering a glimpse into her life, travel adventures, and the lessons learned along the way. Do you agree that travel should always push us out of our comfort zones, or do personal challenges warrant more cautious planning? Share your thoughts in the comments—are travel journeys meant to be perfect, or is the messiness part of what makes them memorable?
