This edition belongs to one of our favourite model collaborators: Val.

We initially met her during the first-ever AJOSEPO campaign, where she left a lasting impression — not just for her gobsmacking beauty but also for her presence, professionalism, and ease.

Having worked internationally across cities, including London and Tokyo, Val’s travel reflects a life shaped by movement. Originally from Ukraine and Lebanon, there’s a natural duality and curiosity to how she moves through the world that feels refreshing. Her travels sit between nature and city, stillness and energy — from yoga (she is a RYT200-certified yogi) and surfing to skiing, food, and architecture. It feels considered and a true reflection of who she is.

Consider this a glimpse into that rhythm.

For an unfiltered take on London life and active travel, follow along.
Follow Val on Instagram: @valeriariabikina

Best city or country you’ve ever travelled to and why?
⁠Japan has to be number one on my list. I would 100% recommend it as the best country for tourism. It’s got everything: amazing food, beautiful nature, interesting culture, kind people and lots to explore. It’s one of those countries where no matter how many times you’ve been there, you’ll always find something new to explore.

Worst city or country you’ve visited, and why didn’t it work for you?
I can’t really say this city is the worst, but if I had to rate everywhere I’ve been to, Guangzhou would be at the bottom of my list. Not entirely sure why it didn’t work for me, I just found the city to be very busy, dirty and noisy.

Where in the world did you feel the freest?
Portugal! I’ve been twice now or two different surf towns and I’ve never felt more free in my life than I did there. Life just has a different pace there. No one seems to rush anywhere or stress about anything. The only thing that matters is how many waves you get to catch!

Best party city or country you’ve experienced?
Tokyo is the best party city for me by far. Maybe because I’ve spent the most time partying there, or maybe because I’ve always felt the safest there!

City or country with the best food overall?
⁠Ahhhh that’s a tough one. I was going to say Tokyo again, but this time I will go with Istanbul. I love Turkish food and some of my all time favourite restaurants are in Istanbul.

City or country with the best market/street food? 
Taipei has a special place in my heart when it comes to markets and street food. You can find some of the weirdest foods there, but also some of the most delicious.

A city or country that surprised you the most?
The country that came as the biggest surprise for me is Montenegro. I did not know what to expect, but it stunned me with its nature, beautiful beaches, kind people and delicious food. Such an underrated place in my opinion and I’d definitely come back.

The most beautiful place you’ve ever seen.
The most beautiful place I’ve ever seen is The Dolomites. The dramatic limestone peaks look like they are out of this world. Every corner there is breathtaking, and there is no other place in the world I’ve felt more peaceful.

The most overrated destination you’ve been to.
⁠The most overrated destination for me is Dubai. While I understand the appeal of convenience and comfort, I found it quite flashy and ‘in your face.’ Maybe it’s different when you live there, but as a tourist, I didn’t find it particularly exciting.

Which city or country has the friendliest people?
I don’t think I can name just one city or country here. My friendliest experiences have been in Portugal, Cyprus and Croatia. Those would be my top three destinations.

Which city or country has the unfriendliest people?
⁠I really don’t want to come across as if I dislike Guangzhou, but I have to say I didn’t have the best experience with people there. I definitely need to give China another go though, I’m sure there are so many beautiful places with lovely people.

Which city or country felt the safest for you?
The safest country is definitely Japan. It’s the only place where I felt comfortable walking around at 3am, knowing nothing would happen to me. Partly because there are convenience stores on almost every corner open 24/7, but also because Japan is generally a very safe country.

A destination that pushed you out of your comfort zone in a good way. 
Bali is probably the destination that pushed me most out of my comfort zone. I was travelling solo, and it ended up being such an amazing experience exploring the island on my own.

Where did you experience the strongest sense of culture or identity? 
The strongest sense of culture and identity I’ve felt was in Kyoto, where time seemed to have stood still. Beyond the stunning architecture and nature, you see people walking around in kimonos, with centuries of history beautifully preserved.

Which trip taught you something about yourself? 
Every trip has taught me something about myself. I truly believe travelling is one of the best ways to discover who you are and what resonates with you.

A hotel or Airbnb that felt genuinely special?
There was a stunning Airbnb I once booked at the top of a mountain overlooking Lake Como. That place was truly special to me — nothing beats that view. It was a bit of a pain to get to and from, but once you’re there, all you want to do is sit, drink coffee, read your favourite book, and never look away.

What’s the next city or country at the top of your list, and what’s pulling you there?
The next country on my bucket list is Iceland. I’ve got it booked for late May. It speaks for itself with its breathtaking nature, and seeing the Northern Lights has been a lifelong dream of mine, so I’m really hoping I get lucky.