As of this writing, I have traveled to 53 different countries and almost every state in the United States. People always ask me my favorites, so here is a list of the places and things I love:

Best European City: Monaco. I always thought it looked like a fairytale land with its elegant castle overlooking the harbor dotted with white yachts, pristine parks and French influence.

Best United States City: New York has been home base, and it has so much to offer. Every time you go to the city, it is a different experience. I can’t get enough of the people, the food, the culture and the tourist attractions.

Best Kept Secret: Vietnam. Beautiful beaches, super friendly people and awesome food.

Best Beach: Puente del Este, Uruguay. Untouched.

Best Island: Bora Bora. It is a postcard come to real life. Lagoons, volcanos and glass-bottom huts make it truly unique.

Best Island Food: Jamaica! I am head-over heals for the street vendor jerk chicken sandwiches, Norma’s coconut chicken, plantains, lobster and Appleton Rum!

Best Nightlife: I wouldn’t have guessed it while I was there, but Madrid, Spain! Sophisticated, friendly, international crowds. Another close runner-up is Istanbul, Turkey. Their clubs on the Bosphorus River are beautiful, and the European-Asian influence is the only place like it in the world.

Best Travel Value: I don’t think I have gone there yet. Tips have told me Thailand is very inexpensive and amazing. I love Central America, and think it is very reasonable (compared to Europe)  and is one of my favorite continents to visit.

Best Refuge From the World: Wayaka Island, Fiji. The privately owned island is picture-perfect. Relax in your own bure and indulge in luxe island life.

Best Fear Factor Moment: Feeding sharks in Tahiti. I should have tried eating live termites in Belize, but that was a little too fear factor for me.

Best Landscape: The island of Santorini in Greece is inspiring and breathtaking. I typically never want to go back to the same place twice, but would love to go back here…

Best Real Life Postcard: Bora Bora, French Polynesia. The over-the-water villas and cystal clear bluish-green waters are amazing.

Best Hotel: Hotel Santo Domingo is Antigua, Guatemala is at  the top of the list. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate the ambiance and opulence of The Four Seasons, The Keminski and The Peninsula, but staying in a former montasary is surreal.

Best Hidden Gem: Istanbul, Turkey.  A perfect blend of the old and the new, land and sea, Europe and Asia.

Best Spiritual Spot: Jerusalem.

Best City for Shopping: Coming from the US where we have Los Angeles, New York  and Las Vegas I may be a bit spoiled. I would have to say South Korea or Philippines.

Best Cuisine: Greece and Italy! I never had a bad meal in Greece, and I still dream about the pasta at The Splendido in Portofino.

Best History: China. You can spend weeks exploring ancient cities, temples, The Great Wall, Xian Warriors, The Forbidden City, etc.

Best Place to Live: The United States. =). And if I had to be specific…New York!