Where are you based?
I live in Maryland (outside of Washington, DC). But I'm originally from Miami, Florida.
 
What topics and places do you cover?
I love all things history and culture, especially when they intersect with travel. I also cover family travel and soft adventure.
 
What outlets do you usually pitch (and write for)?
I'm a free agent. I write for whoever is paying. But currently, I'm writing for National Geographic, Essence, Afar, Tripadvisor, Travel+Leisure, and Fodor's Travel.
 
Are you in-house or freelance (or both)?
Freelance
 
What are your professional pet peeves?
One of my biggest professional pet peeves is when I'm asked to give assurances of publication. As a freelance writer, my business depends on being able to place stories successfully, so flexibility is helpful.
 
In your past professional life, you were …
I started my career as a television news writer and associate TV producer. I've also worked as a policy writer and editor in Washington, DC.
 
Where would you like to return to?
I meet so many great people in wonderful places around the world, and I always make plans to return. When I travel solo for work, I usually make a running list of stellar destinations I'd like to revisit with my family. Some of my top destinations are: Tanzania, Norway, and Argentina.
 
What's on your bucket list?
I have a dream of hiking the Inca Trail. But after watching too many episodes of “Monsters Inside Me,” I've decided to wait until the botfly goes extinct.
 
Where do you travel for fun?
Miami, Florida, is my happy place. It's where my family lives and one of the only places I travel to for family and fun.
 
Your funniest (or most harrowing) travel story is …
During a family trip to Kaua'i, I'd convinced myself that I'd outgrown my childhood issues with motion sickness. I'm not sure if it was optimism or stubbornness that led me to board a catamaran for a four-hour tour of the Nā Pali Coast. But I was determined to leave my ailment in the past. Surely, I'd outgrown it. To my surprise – I had NOT. I spent so much of the journey preoccupied with a sick bag that I missed everything. Not only did I not see the beautiful Nā Pali Coast I'd dreamed about, but I also missed a few sea turtles and a pod of dolphins swimming nearby.
 
The silver lining is that whenever there's a family reunion, someone inevitably loves to retell this story at my expense. To be fair, it is a great story when told in my family's usual dramatic flair.
 
What advice would you give your younger professional self?
I would tell my younger professional self that there's really no such thing as 'free travel' – everything comes with a cost. Travel writing can be demanding, and at times, it's a very solitary pursuit. There will be assignments that lead you to awe-inspiring experiences, but often you'll find yourself alone during them. So, it's essential that you truly love the work (which, thankfully, I do).
 
How best should people contact you?
The best way to contact me is via the email on my TravMedia profile here.