Where are you based?

I live in Bethlehem, PA—the Christmas city and the only place where PEEPs are made. As a result, we go overboard for all the holidays.

What topics and places do you cover?

While I used to specialize in family travel, I've lately been covering all kinds of leisure travel. In the last few months alone, I've written pieces on solo trips, girlfriend getaways, and beach vacations for families.

What outlets do you write for?

My digital travel stories mainly appear in Good Housekeeping. I write several pieces every month and help manage the brand's Travel Awards. We're in our fourth year and have recently expanded the awards beyond the family realm to also consider vacation spots for every type of traveler.

What is your approach to press trips?

I almost always prefer individual experiences to group trips and prioritize those that allow me to bring a guest if I'm covering their airfare. Experiencing vacation spots in this way lends itself to more authentic coverage. Having said that, I go on a few group trips a year—usually ones that are more newsy or behind-the-scenes. I also attend a few of the major travel conferences annually because I like meeting publicists face-to-face.   

What are your professional pet peeves?

I recognize that publicists are often in a tough spot, and I'm sympathetic to their plight. But here are a few tips: Unless an email is extremely time-sensitive, I'd encourage publicists to wait at least a few days before they follow up. I'd also discourage them from pitching their entire client to me for a story. If you work in an agency that has a lot of clients and you're answering a call for pitches, curate what you truly think is the best one or two to put forward.

In your past professional life, you were …

While I've worked in journalism for my entire professional career, I started out covering health and helped create the first data-driven ranking of children's hospitals. I have long admired Ohio for its plethora of outstanding children's hospitals

Where would you like to return to?

I haven't been to London since before the pandemic, so that's probably the place that my husband, daughter, and I are most eager to return. I have also visited Williamsburg, Virginia, every other year since my daughter was a baby (and now she's in college).

What's on your bucket list?

Exploring the European Christmas markets—via land or river cruise.

Your funniest (or most harrowing) travel story is …

This one is both! I accidentally used a kid-size inner tube in a lazy river at a resort in Hawaii and I got stuck in it! My daughter was about to call the lifeguard before I finally wiggled myself free. Every time we float in a lazy river, we laugh about this experience.

What advice would you give your younger professional self?

Even though your salary is small and your commute is long, the hard work you put in now (and the connections you make) will pay off.

How best should people contact you?

Find me on TravMedia here. If you are emailing, scheduling the sending to arrive between 7-8 am Eastern greatly increases the chance I'll see it.