When you’re the Senior Editor at Travelocity, most people you meet assume you’ve been everywhere. Also, your friends and family assume you’re available to act as their personal travel agent, but that’s another story for another time. Anyway, as I was saying – people assume I’ve been everywhere, but that’s not true.
Don’t get me wrong – I’ve been so fortunate to visit places most people only dream of, but that’s primarily a function of my own passion for travel and my own bank account. A work trip for me is far more likely to entail a trip to our Southlake, Texas headquarters for a team meeting than a trip to Mauritius for a week of sunbathing.
I mention Mauritius because it’s the most recent addition to my list. What list? You know – the list of places I’ve visited, loved and will highly recommend to the next person who asks me for advice on where they should go for their honeymoon, birthday, anniversary, graduation, girlfriend getaway, mancation, procreation vacation, babymoon, or whatever.
How does a place make the list? Obviously the list is very subjective, but there’s three criteria – if it’s expensive, I’d have to feel comfortable telling family or a close friend it is worth spending a sizeable amount of money on; if it’s far, I’d have to feel comfortable telling family or a close friend it’s worth spending the time; and most importantly, I’d have to be willing to spend the time, money and effort to go back there again myself. Here are just a few of my favorites, some close by and some a long ways away:
Adirondacks: This is an easy driving vacation, totally affordable, and a place I visit at least once a year. I’ll be spending Labor Day weekend at the Prospect Point Cottages.
Adirondacks
Cape Cod: Lived here during college summers and got engaged here a few years later. Chatham is my favorite, but all the towns have a special something.
Cape Cod
Courmayeur: If you love skiing, this is an absolute must. The mountains are so beautiful it’s distracting, so be careful on the slopes.
Courmayeur
Dubrovnik, Hvar and Korcula: Croatia is beautiful and relatively inexpensive. Dubrovnik offers a city experience while the many islands are great for relaxing by the sea.
Dubrovnik
Hilton Head: I visit every August. A great family destination with white-sand beaches, gentle water and world-class golf.
Hilton Head
Mauritius: They say it’s the island that inspired heaven, and I believe it. This one’s a splurge, but worth every penny. Below, the Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita.
Mauritius
Outer Banks: Where we go each year with my husband’s family. Big beaches, big waves and a relaxed beach vibe.
Outer Banks
Genevieve Shaw Brown is a New York City native. She’s a travel expert, Senior Editor at Travelocity and a contributor to The Window Seat Blog. She’s a regular guest on many TV and radio programs including Nightly News, ABC World News Tonight, ABC News Now, The Today Show, The Early Show, Fox Business and MSNBC Live.
