Tuesday August 25 2026

“Talk to as many people as you can—at the airport, in a restaurant, on the street, whatever.” It’s no surprise that this was one piece of advice Photographer Peter Sherno shared with us when asked about his tips for traveling. We first met Peter while he was on a trip to New York to photograph an event hosted by Carter Young at Colbo back in 2023. Since then, he’s worked on several Colbo projects between NYC and Paris, in addition to photographing for other friends + brands.

To honor our most recent shoe collaboration with Sperry, and the nomadic spirit of summer, Peter packed a pair of the Authentic Originals™ in Italian Jute along on his recent trip to Rome—an unexpected visit that came together when some friends invited him to join them there last minute. 

Balancing ease with durability, and a silhouette that slips into a carry-on bag, our tactile take on the heritage brand’s signature boat shoe is the perfect addition to any adventure—particularly those with minimal planning involved, and lots of exploring by foot.

Below, he documents his time walking around the eternal city in the way he knows best: through images. While the photographs speak for themselves, Peter was also kind enough to share a few words about his summer voyages + what to pack, and where to dine, drink, and stay while traveling on a whim.

1. Where did you travel this summer and with whom?

In June, I went to Paris to shoot fashion week. I was planning on staying in New York for the rest of summer, but ended up on a spontaneous trip to Rome with a few new friends.

2. In addition to your Colbo x Sperry shoes, what are 3-5 items you can’t travel without?

• A reliable film camera. Nothing that needs batteries to work, mechanical only. I’ve had too many breakdowns and dead batteries keep me from shooting.

• A sturdy backpack. I’ve used Tom Bihn backpacks since college and they make the best bags out there, no contest. I have a small one for trips under a week, and a huge one for longer stays. 

• Hyalogic’s lip balm.

• Running shoes. I love to run wherever I travel. It’s a great way to deal with jet lag and get my bearings in a new city.

• A travel clock radio. I love listening to the radio in new places. I have a radio that goes beyond AM/FM so I can listen to international radio, air traffic and long haul truckers.

3. Do you have any guiding travel / packing tips you live by?

• I don’t take a roller bag, and pack as minimally as possible in general. I have to make some sacrifices in what I bring to keep it light, but I prefer the freedom of keeping my hands free in transit so I can take pictures, rent a bike, and walk around to kill time for a flight.

• Some of my favorite places have bad reviews on google maps. Below 4 stars or even worse. People give restaurants 1 star reviews for the wrong reasons, so I ignore the star rating usually. 

• Blackbird Spyplane on substack is my first stop when planning a trip. The authors Jonah and Erin always have the best travel recommendations and their subscriber-only community chatroom is great for crowdsourced recommendations too.  

• When researching online or asking friends for travel recs, I put everything on a custom google map. I’m not a rigid planner, so if I’m in a neighborhood and need a meal or something fun to do, I can consult the map and have options. It’s also helpful in knowing where you have been in the city and you can consult the map you made if someone asks you for recommendations later on. 

• Ask your server or bartender where they eat and drink.

• Talk to as many people as you can. At the airport, in a restaurant, on the street, whatever.

4. Where are you staying this summer, and what’s your favorite place to stay when you travel?

I tend to stay in quiet apartments with courtyards and tons of stairs. In Paris I like staying in Montmartre. Walking uphill to your place after a long day is punishing but the view from the balcony will be worth it. In Rome, we stayed in a big apartment on Campo de Fiori which was perfect.

5. What's your best travel story from this trip or a past one?

One afternoon last summer I got a call out of the blue about a job in Bora Bora. I was on a plane the next morning and it took 2 whole days to get there from the east coast.