Júlia Juste

Tell us about you and your brand.

My passion for travel comes from my parents. When I was young, they wrote a book about beautiful rural stays in Catalunya, the region we’re from, and later founded Behomm, a home exchange community for creative people. Through home exchanges we’ve had the most incredible experiences and connections, and they are one of my favorite ways to travel. Thanks to my parents’ journey and our family trips, I developed a passion for travel and aesthetics.

After years of collecting addresses and sharing recommendations with friends, I launched OUTLIERS in 2020—a platform that shares beautiful and unique places to stay around the world. It started as a map, then it became an Instagram account, and finally evolved into a website where I highlight extensively researched outliers: places that stand apart in their design, authenticity and soul. 

For me, where I stay is more than just a place to sleep—it defines the entire travel experience. I often plan trips around accommodations, attracted by their aesthetics and the stories behind them. I really value places that possess character and soul, and transcend the old notion of luxury. On OUTLIERS, you’ll find a mix of high-end hotels, exquisitely designed houses, charming rural stays and laid-back retreats. 

What is the sweet spot of your expertise? 

Finding beautiful, unique, destination-specific places to stay, eat, and explore. I also try to support small projects that have a positive impact on the development of the place I’m visiting, usually related to arts and crafts. 

A favorite trip/itinerary that best represents your approach to travel… 

Last June I visited Ladakh in Northern India, a region that is not yet widely popular amongst Western travelers, but one we really loved. The Himalayan landscapes are unimaginable, Buddhist culture is present everywhere, the people are exceptionally nice, and the food is great. We stayed in luxury accommodations like Shel and Nimmu House, but also camped with a nomadic community at 4,000m altitude and spent a night in the very simple guest house of Phuktal Monastery.  

One of the highlights of the trip was visiting We Are Kal, a project founded by Angktak, a Ladakhi born and raised in a nomadic community, and Catherine, a German textile researcher who came to Ladakh to study their wool and textiles. We visited their home and studio, then traveled together to the nomadic community where they source their wool. Another highlight was staying at a hospitality project in a tiny village called Tar, which can only be reached by an hour-and-a-half hike. A young local guy is building homestays in the remaining houses there to create revenue and try to revitalize the place.  

We planned everything on our own, but worked with two different guides, Lobzang and Tashi, who I highly recommend. Lobzang Wangtak is an entrepreneur, environmental conservationist, and filmmaker involved in many projects that are all focused on helping people. From day one, traveling with him felt like being with a friend, rather than a guide. Tashi, who helped organize our stay with the nomads in the mountains, made sure it was as comfortable as such a remote place could be. He is also very involved in educational work and helping the youth of Ladakh. 

A few favorite hotels/lodges/houses you love and go back to again and again… 

My favorite accommodations around the world are very different from each other in terms of style and price range, but they share a certain sensitivity, authenticity and essence. I’m not particularly interested in luxury for its own sake—I tend to seek out places that are unique because of their location, the individuals behind them, or for their original aesthetic. Here are some favorites:

Adrére Amellal in Siwa, Egypt – It takes 10 hours to drive here from Cairo, and in some way the long journey makes staying here even more magical. It’s hard to describe without giving away too much, but without a doubt it’s the most special place I’ve ever stayed, both because of its surroundings and the people who run it. There is no electricity, so all the light comes from candles and every day dinner is served in a different secret spot. The entire hotel is built with local materials, situated in an oasis in the middle of nowhere, in this vast, dry landscape where suddenly you come across palm trees and saltwater pools.

Casa En La Piedra on Lake Atitlán – I arrived at this house planning to stay for three days and ended up staying for six. Lake Atitlán is already a very special place, but staying in this house elevates the experience even more for those looking to be away from everything, surrounded by the most spectacular views. It’s an Airbnb located in the village of Jaibalito, which is not part of the usual tourist circuit around the lake. The only downside is that getting to the other towns is a bit more expensive, because you have to connect through one of the larger towns by boat. (In Atitlán, you get from town to town by boat, but there are only direct boat trips to the major villages.). But I wouldn’t hesitate for a second (and the house is only $60/night). 

Vismaya Lake Heritage in Kerala – I just returned from a trip to Kerala, and I will forever cherish the memories of celebrating my 30th birthday at Vismaya with my parents and my friends. This is an absolutely gorgeous 400-year-old house restored by Swiss-German architect Karl Damschen. It has two bedrooms and a pool, in an unbeatable location right by a lake. Beyond the beautiful interiors and the magic of the surrounding nature, Vinod, who runs it, has an incredible sensitivity. He has been the manager for 12 years, and takes care of every detail of guests’ stay. What fascinated us the most was his passion for floral arrangements, which were all over the house, and at every meal—which were, by the way, delicious.

Casa Paz in Oaxaca, Mexico – Another one of the hidden gems I’ve discovered recently. In 2024, I went to Mexico with my friends, and while searching for a place on the coast of Oaxaca far from the crowds, we found this house on La Boquilla beach. It’s a two-story cabin on a cliff overlooking the sea, with no cell signal or Wi-Fi. It has a private beach on one side, and on the other side is La Boquilla beach, where we saw baby turtles hatching and even whales in the distance. In La Boquilla there’s a small hotel and restaurant (Bahía de la Luna), where we ate lunch and dinner almost every day. The house is near the famous towns of Mazunte and San Agustinillo, but we didn’t see anything because it was literally impossible to leave this place.

Jalakara in the Andaman Islands – I discovered Jalakara seven years ago during one of my deep-dive research sessions, when I used to dream of traveling online. In January 2025, I finally got to visit these remote Indian islands and stay at Jalakara. The islands are far from mainland India, closer to Myanmar. In my mind, I thought that traveling to such a distant place would feel incredibly remote, but the stay at Jalakara was warm and welcoming. It’s located on Havelock, the most beautiful island, where you can eat wonderful food and truly relax. There are only seven rooms, each with its own style and personality. It’s the project of an English couple, and you really feel as though you’re in someone’s home, being looked after so you can fully unwind. We loved the food at Jalakara—lots of local dishes featuring fish and lobster and also simpler preparations, which were perfect after spending 10 days eating curry in Kerala. The massages are amazing and they also offer various activities, we especially liked the boat trip to explore the coastline and go snorkeling. And above all, the service from the staff is absolutely wonderful.

In Catalunya, where I’m from, I always go back to Casa Boumort. It’s in Pallars Jussà, a relatively unknown area in Catalunya. There are many hikes and walks around the house, and young people are opening up restaurants like All Negre or El Raier. Casa Boumort is simply fantastic, as are the guys who run it. 

Every few years my family goes back to Casa Cusa or Mas Illa de Riu in Delta del Ebre, also in Catalunya. The big and a small house (one fits 20 people, the other just 4) are both surrounded by rice fields. When we go there, we rent bikes and just relax. 

Four more favorites: Nimmu House in Ladakh, India; Casa No Tempo in Alentejo, Portugal; Mashpi Lodge in Ecuador; and Gilles House in Lamu, Kenya.

The most memorable meal you’ve had while traveling… 

At Adrére Amellal Egypt, the homemade elevated food in an excellent setting (each meal is served in a different location of the hotel) surrounded by unbeatable company (my family). We had oranges with a caramelized sauce, a tomato filled with vegetables, and this delicious vegetable pie. Most of my family is vegetarian and we really appreciated their efforts to make such a varied menu for us.

I also remember the ravioli we ate when we arrived at Shel Ladakh, after a long and very tough trip in Zanskar. The in-house cook is superb. 

Where is your spiritual home? 

It’s usually not the place but the people I go with. My two friends, Anais and Nacor, make everything feel spiritual, no matter where we are in the world. 

Other than that, we went together to Ladakh and we went deeper in our spiritual journey, not only because of them but thanks to our guide, Lobzang Wangtak, one of the most amazing people I’ve met. 

Your favorite spa or wellness destination? 

It’s not something I specifically look for in my trips, but last summer I went to São Lourenço do Barrocal in Alentejo, Portugal, a place where you just want to stay put and be taken care of. We didn’t leave the hotel for two days, and spent a lot of time reading by the pool, walking around the property, horseback riding, and enjoying wonderful meals. 

Underrated location, overrated location, personal favorite, recent discovery? 

Underrated location: I want to visit places like Poland or Romania, which I used to underrate. Recently, I did some research on Romania and found incredibly unique accommodations in Transylvania, like the guesthouses run by Experience Transylvania, which aims to preserve local traditions and culture, while steering away from the Dracula imagery we associate with the region. Other beautiful places to stay in Transylvania are Bethlen Estates, Viscri 125 and Viscri 32. 

Overrated location: I don’t think there are overrated locations, because I believe that two trips to the same destination can vary a lot depending on what you do, where you stay, and who you meet. But I think what is happening in places like Bali and Tulum is terrible.   

Personal favorite: My favorite destinations tend to be places I went without many expectations. Lamu, Kenya, for example, isn’t known for the best beaches or food, and there aren’t many things to see and do, but I spent one of my favorite holidays with my family there. We did a home exchange through my parents’ home exchange community, Behomm, and stayed in a Swahili style house in the middle of Lamu Town for 10 days. Mbogo, the guy who takes care of the house, would cook meals for us (amazing mango salads!), and we would spend very lazy days exploring Lamu at our own pace. I loved the Swahili architecture and visiting different houses to learn more about it. We took a short boat ride  to Peponi Hotel in Shela for lunch, dinner, and beers, which was a lot of fun. One morning, we also sailed on a dhow (traditional Swahili boat) to see the sunrise. There are no cars on the island, only donkeys to carry things (and sometimes people). With its narrow streets, Lamu reminded me a bit of Marrakech.

Recent discovery: Ecuador, beyond the Galápagos. I went with no expectations and very little knowledge about the country and it surprised me in every way. The food is amazing, the landscapes are very diverse, and people are super welcoming. We visited Mashpi Lodge, a conservation and hospitality project tucked away in the lush rainforest. From the moment you check in you’re immersed in nature, spending much of your time exploring the forest under the guidance of their amazing team who inspire a genuine passion for everything you see. They have thrilling activities, such as a skybike and The Dragonfly (an open-air gondola), which let you take in the vast landscape from above. Every time we returned from a morning or evening excursion—often wet and tired—we were welcomed back with a delicious meal and the utmost comfort in our room. Mashpi is truly a destination in its own right, and I highly recommend it to anyone extending their trip beyond the Galápagos. It’s only a three-hour drive from Quito, so it’s an easy and worthwhile addition to your itinerary.

Hacienda Zuleta was another wonderful stay. This historic residence of a former Ecuadorian president, located in the Andes, feels like staying in a home of real significance—it’s an expansive property filled with impressive artwork, large paintings and family photographs. Despite its grandness, it remains warm, cozy, and designed for comfort. One of the highlights here is the food: each meal is served at beautifully set tables, making every dining experience special. We especially loved locro, a traditional Ecuadorian potato soup. While you’re there, be sure to explore Hacienda Zuleta’s cheese factory and the condor rehabilitation program, which add cultural and environmental depth to an already luxurious stay.

And lastly, one of my super favourite things in Ecuador was the museum La Capilla del Hombre by Guayasamin in Quito.

Where do you want to go next and why?  

In 2025 I’m going on a big, 4-month long trip mainly through Latin America. I will be uncovering each destination during the trip, but I’m really excited to explore Nicaragua. I’m very interested in countries that are in the shadow of big destinations (in this case, Costa Rica). 

What is something you wished we all knew or were better at as travelers? 

From my own experience when traveling—it’s better to visit fewer places in the same trip and let yourself savor it all.