Our other contributors: Lance Stamps, Suzanne Marwill, Ina Baum, Roxanne Dowell, Katie Losey, and my junior editors, Justine and Vanessa Magid, who always have something to say. And, of course, our Canine ambassador, Kona.
Editors & Contributors
Jackie Cittone Magid, Founder and Editor
Travel executive, luxury advisor, editor, hotel inspector/scout, philanthropist – seriously multi-tasking to do it all while raising two teenage girls in New York City! Proud longstanding Board member of Sheldrick Wildlife Trust USA, former Executive Director of The Bodhi Tree Foundation and of course Founder and Editor of this fine travel website, Inviato Travel!
My Favorite Destinations
Paris is my favorite city in the world and Italy my favorite country. I’m a safari junkie and Kenya, where I visit every year, has a special place in my heart. In the U.S., I am yearning to just being surrounded by nature – the scenery in Montana blows me away!
My Favorite Hotels
Ranch at Rock Creek (Montana), Blackberry Farm & Mountain (Tennessee), Esencia (Mexico), Soho Farmhouse and Heckfield Place (two very different interpretations of British Country), Four Seasons Hualalai (Big Island) and the Kenyan safari camps of Galdessa and Enasoit. I absolutely loved the magical Kasbah Tamadot in the Atlas Mountains and The Norman in Tel Aviv.
My Favorite Markets, Restaurants or Stores
I visit the Marchés Aux Puces almost every time I visit Paris. I love the Mercato Centrale in Florence for every delicacy under the Tuscan sun. I loved exploring the souks of Marrakech and need to go back. Stores: Merci in Paris always has a terrific curated mix of items. Restaurants? Il Fornaio in Santa Monica, Nobu in Malibu, the 5-course meal at Castello Banfi il Borgo in Tuscany, the lunch at Bablyonstoren, South Africa and Da Ivo in Venice were all pretty memorable.
I Never Get On A Plane Without
A good book, comfy socks, some valium (and now anti-histamines and an epipen after a recent allergy attack on the plane), my MacBook and now I guess a mask…
I’m Always Searching For the Perfect
A beautiful piece of locally made jewelry, or antique decorative item for our home to serve as a keepsake of our trip.
On My Travel Bucket List
There are so many places I want to go: New Zealand, Vietnam, Maldives (which was planned and scrapped due to COVD-19!), Sardinia, Sicily and Ischia, British Columbia … The list goes on and on.
Regular Contributors
Romi Howard, Contributing Editor
Former but exceptionally patriotic Canadian / Montrealer, now mother of two teenage daughters navigating the streets of the Upper East Side for the last 18 years. Professionally trained chef running the culinary company, Romi’s Table. Extremely dedicated escape artist from reality who travels every chance I get – there is nothing more intoxicating then touching down somewhere knowing you are about to experience and delight in something new and unseen.
My Favorite Destinations
It’s a toss up between Paris, Hopewell Jamaica and Mont Tremblant in Quebec
My Favorite Hotels
Amangiri in Utah , Kasbah Tamadot in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, Fogo Island Inn in Newfoundland, Park Hyatt in Vienna, Sao Lorenco do Barrocal in Portugal and a select handful of hotels in Mayfair, London.
My Favorite Markets, Restaurants or Stores
Sol beach bar and Sal restaurant in Comporta, the piano bar at the Rosa alpina hotel , San Britte restaurant in cortina Italy , Marjorelle 33 in Marrakech , le Bon Marché department store in Paris, Da Ivo in Venice, the Bar at Pauly Saal in Berlin and Sa Foradada, a restaurant built into a cliff in Deia Mallorca Spain that serves the worlds best Paella.
I Never Get On A Plane Without
Two huge cashmere wraps, they act as pillows, blankets and eye masks, big ugly socks and something to read on my iPad
I’m Always Searching For the Perfect
Magnet. Our family collect magnets from all our travels. we cannot come home without one. Also something little (or slightly bigger) that is emblematic of the places we have just visited – Hungarian spices from Vienna, a surfboard from Biarritz, a drunken celebutante from Mykonos…
On My Travel Bucket List
São Tomé and Principe islands off the coast of West Africa, Bhutan, Faroe Islands, Denmark, Shetland islands / Orkney islands in Scotland and the Maldives before they sink.
Sallie Lewis, Guest Editorial Contributor
I am a 7th generation Texan with a serious case of wanderlust. Over the years I have visited more than thirty countries and am happy to call the small town of Fredericksburg, Texas home. Today, I am a full-time travel writer and contributor to publications like The WSJ Magazine, Virtuoso Life and Garden & Gun, to name a few. Feel free to check out my website and follow along on Instagram @sallielewis.co!
My Favorite Destinations
I love Carmel-by-the-Sea, New York City, the Cape Winelands in South Africa, Sardinia and anywhere in Italy for that matter, especially Florence! Mexico, the French countryside (specifically Normandy, Burgundy and the Dordogne), and Paris, bien sur!
My Favorite Hotels
Château La Chenevière (Normandy, France) Palacio Nazarenas (Cusco, Peru), Locanda dell’Amorosa (Sienalunga, Italy), Hacienda de San Antonio (Colima, Mexico), The Carlyle in New York City, The Wakaya Club (Wakaya Island, Fiji), and Hotel Splendido (Portofino, Italy)
My Favorite Markets, Restaurants or Stores
So many thoughts here but if I were to choose the most special splurge-worthy restaurant experience thus far, it’d be a toss-up between Le Jules Verne in the Eiffel Tower, La Tour d’Argent, or Restaurant Lasserre. All in Paris, go figure!
I Never Get On A Plane Without
A notebook and a pen! I love to write when I fly.
I’m Always Searching For the Perfect
Vintage clothing. I found the most amazing old Kuchi dresses from Afghanistan when I was in Bangkok. And I love investing in special keepsakes — like a piece of heirloom jewelry or a small oil painting — to remind me of my travels.
On My Travel Bucket List
So many places. Greece, Alphonse Island in the Seychelles, Cornwall and the Cotswolds, Satellite Island in Tasmania, a trip on the Royal Scotsman, and Capri! As for hotels… Villa Feltrinelli, Il Pellicano, and Villa d’Este are at the very top of my list.
Christina Meza-Kim, Guest Editorial Contributor
Mom of a young toddler, still in the honeymoon phase who has already been asked when baby number two is coming and has toured a few schools (too soon??). Austin native who moved to NYC eight years ago to pursue a marketing career that led to content development for the largest advertiser in the world. Dream of visiting the Seven Wonders of the World before I die – four down, three to go.
My Favorite Destinations
Lake Como, Milan, Paris, Lima, Buenos Aires
My Favorite Hotels
Giraffe Manor in Kenya, Gibb’s Farm in Tanzania, Hotel Sacher Salzburg
My Favorite Markets, Restaurants or Stores
Christmas markets in Nuremberg, Porte de Clingnancourt flea market Paris, Sukiyabashi Jiro sushi Tokyo
I Never Get On A Plane Without
Extra large headphones, wipes (you never know what’s lurking on those tray tables!), cozy socks and lots of videos (and vodka) now that we’ll be traveling with a baby (yikes!)
I’m Always Searching For the Perfect
Art to display on my walls. Whether it’s a small oil painting, photo, or a framed piece of exotic fabric, much of the art hanging on my walls has a travel story behind it (hint to hubby: we may need a bigger place)
On My Travel Bucket List
Madagascar, Cuba, and cruising down the Mekong (via Aqua Expeditions!)
Karen Larrain
Long time fashion and beauty editor who loves to travel as much as possible. I started my career at Harper’s Bazaar and then had a short stint at Glamour Magazine until I became pregnant with my daughter, Camila. Took a short break, saw her take her first steps and then headed back to work at Cosmopolitan for almost ten years. Nothing makes me happier than packing for a trip.
My Favorite Destinations
The Cipriani in Venice, Cartagena Colombia, Fasano in Sao Paolo, and Careyes in Mexico.
My Favorite Hotels
Georges Cinq Paris. I feel like a princess when I stay there. The rooms have great views to the Eiffel Tower. I love the pool and the spa and of course the amazing flowers. Seeing Jude Law there in the hallway in his bathrobe was a nice bonus too.
My Favorite Markets, Restaurants or Stores
I love this little shop on Walton street in London called Percy Bass. It looks like a flea market in the middle of this posh little street because every surface in the shop is filled to the brim with items and it is not merchandised in any fashion but when you start picking through there are so many great gift items and small novelties for the home. I always find so much and everything has that special English touch like handmade eating trays, special soaps, book ends, mirrors, leather boxes, or frames.
Sardinia has the most incredible restaurants. Two of my favorites are La Casitta and La Scogliera. Arrive by boat and eat with an incredible view.
I Never Get On A Plane Without
Headphones, a big scarf to put over me face on long flights, water, lip balm and socks.
I’m Always Searching For the Perfect
The perfect beachwear. Whether its a bracelet, straw bag, caftan or special bikini. It’s my favorite thing to shop for. I especially love those pop up shops on the beach in places like Ibiza, St Tropez, Tulum or Marbella where you find one of kind items. For me, it’s like buying a souvenir from my trip and it always makes me happy when I see it in my closet later. Nothing better than stumbling across an old necklace, dress or sandal that reminds you of a beautiful vacation as you are packing for your next adventure.
On My Travel Bucket List
India, Bali, the Maldives.
Elisa Brown
Sales and business development gal by day, hotel junkie, (I could live in a hotel full time), freelance travel writer for several sites/publications and mother of three active kids. I feel most alive when I am on the road with my babes and guy soaking up every ounce of culture (and sun!) the destination has to offer.
My Favorite Destinations
Italy is always a good idea, whether you are in the North or South you can never go wrong. There is nothing like Paris #romance and Staniel Cay (a tiny outer island in the Bahamas) has truly captured my heart.
My Favorite Hotels
Le Sirenuse (Italy), Casa San Agustin (Cartagena), The Faena and The Edition (Miami), Nekupe (Nicaragua), Bardessono (California), 15 Beacon (Boston)
My Favorite Markets, Restaurants or Stores
Stores? Barneys in NYC, Elizabeth Charles in San Francisco and Webster in Miami always have the best edit in the states. Restaurants? Marmalade in San Juan, Los Fuegos in Miami, Don Juan in Cartagena, I am still dreaming about the meals at Nekupe in Nicaragua, and SPQR in San Francisco is pretty much perfect.
I Never Get On A Plane Without
As much Essencia water that I can carry, laptop, beats headphones, notepads and pencils (typically ones from the last hotel I stayed in) and a cozy throw if I can remember to pack
I’m Always Searching For the Perfect
Beach bag and stack of locally made bracelets, snowglobes and postcards (my children have one from every holiday we have ever been on in their bedroom) and a decorative home item
On My Travel Bucket List
I just crossed off Nicaragua and booked a Montana dude ranch for my family this July. Trying to squeeze in a quick getaway to Tofino and Lake Como this August. Asia, specifically Cambodia, Bali and Vietnam are next. Cape Town needs to happen sooner than later and a safari trek through Rwanda, Tanzania and Namibia would be nice….
