A SENSE OF PLACE
Food is uniquely transportive, capable of evoking deep memories or taking you across the globe in a single bite. Whether it’s a rustic, coastal fish fry in Jamaica, or the most luscious bowl of pasta at a sought-after restaurant in New York City…travel continues to inspire the way I cook, gather, and share. Here are some of my most beloved places to visit around the world.
✶ love ✶
Jamaica (Round Hill)
Too much to write about this incredible place I call my Caribbean home away from home. There are wonderful places to stay and myriad things to do. The topography itself, a little similar to St Lucia, with its lush forests, mountains, and of course sandy beaches distinguishes itself from Most other islands. But if you have the opportunity, do yourselves a favor and go to Round Hill. There’s just nothing else quite like it.
LONDON
While Jamaica is my Caribbean home away from home, London is my European home away from home. Then again, since Brexit, it’s my across the pond away from home. I’ve been at least 25 times if not more. There are too many superlatives to go into detail about the myriad of things to see and do, but suffice to say, try to go one night to the Connaught bar and have a proper martini. You won’t be disappointed. Another lovely bonus about london is that an hour away you have the Cotswolds, a magical respite from the city to hang your hat. go for a walk and delight in your surroundings at the wonderful estelle manor. 
Paris
Do you ever take a run along the ramparts of the seine? Or delight in the first bite of a croissant that just recently came out of the oven of a local bakery? Sit yourself down in Jardin Luxembourg and watch the children play? Go to the middle of La Bonne Marché department store and just stare up to view the escalators? How about biting into the best Asian food (Chinese) I’ve ever had in my life in the 8eme arrondissement? Go to Hotel Costes for a drink ...and a naughty cigarette if you’re so inclined? A walk in the Marais? I can go on and on and on…
PORTUGAL
Portugal is a mishmash of all the European countries you think you want to go to but necessarily can’t afford. Here in Portugal, you have it all in one country. And for now at least, still at a fraction of the price. I’ve been 5 times! and I hope to go another 5. I’m utterly besotted with Portugal. Especially the Alentejo region with encircles about a 90 miles radius around Lisbon. THERE IS A magical beach spot where the local Lisbonites keep their second homes. IT is CALLED Comporta. A MUST stop on any trip to this beautiful country. 
ICELAND
You can drive 10 miles and the topography switches drastically. In any and all directions. You are constantly adjusting to the scenery. And just outside Reykjavik, you can literally hear your own breathing while staring up at the northern lights. The crystal clarity of this place, the air, the visuals, and the connection to the earth are just awe inspiring. 
ANGUILLA
If you want beautiful white sandy beaches with the clearest blue water I’ve ever seen anywhere in my life, with wonderful places to eat, kind locals, and swanky options to rest your head (there are more casual options too), then head to Anguilla. Anguilla is Saint Barths without all the hoopla. And by hoopla I mean, restaurants and bars that have outposts around the world, designer shops, and sometimes designer attitudes. I love Saint Barths, don’t get me wrong, Anguilla is just the quieter, more laid-back version, without the velvet ropes - so to speak. In a perfect world perhaps you could do a little bit of both islands.
ITALY
VENICE! TUSCANY! FLORENCE! BOLOGNA! CAPRI! I’m going to say something very controversial. Italy has some wonderful food but not necessarily my most memorable. I’ve had memorable meals at many other places in the world, so it’s not the reason I go back over and over again. I go back to Italy because it’s single-handedly the only country I know that offers so many geographically mind-blowing experiences all relatively speaking in such a small concentrated place. You have mountains, lakes, oceans, vineyards, cities, canals, castles, and countryside and islands not to mention history, food, culture, and fashion. It’s just all there. 
FOGO ISLAND
If you want something off the beaten path and you’ve got 4 days to explore, this is an experience like no other. You can only stay at the Fogo Island Inn, which is entirely the point. I won’t say much more other as I think it’s something you need to find out on your own, but I can assure you it’s more than worth the journey to get to this magical place. Fun fact - on your way back, if traveling through the Gander Airport, you can request a tour on the side of the airport untouched since its opening. The architecture alone is worth it. It also housed the thousands of people stranded during the immediate aftermath of 911. 
MIAMI
I’ve been going to Miami since I was a little girl with my family. The Canadian snowbird migration every December. However, it wasn’t until my daughter attended “the U” that I really discovered what makes Miami tick. A vibrant city with a distinct Latino community, culture, vibrancy, and heritage. I’m obsessed with this place. and if you can indulge a night or two at the FAENA hotel… just do it! A hidden gem of a locale would be brickell KEY.