THE GOOD LIST
A collection of places I’ve stayed, explored, and loved—and a few things that are worth knowing before you go. The Good List isn’t exhaustive. It’s personal, opinionated, and always growing.
A little bit of everything, in the very best way.
Switzerland is just as wonderful for a first trip to Europe as it is for a seasoned traveler. From Bürgenstock and Lucerne to Mt. Pilatus, the Gotthard Panorama Express and Mediterranean-feeling Ticino, every stop feels completely different. Our nights listening to cowbells from our terrace, boat rides on alpine lakes and that spectacular train journey south made it an idyllic introduction to Europe for our kids.
GOOD COUNSEL: Don’t rush it. The trains, boats and funiculars aren’t just transportation here—they’re part of the experience.
Come hungry. And bring something nice for dinner.
Tucked into the Tennessee foothills, Blackberry Farm feels worlds away. We visited just before Christmas and spent our days hiking and at the spa, our afternoons reading by the fire, and our evenings having some of the best meals we’ve ever eaten. It’s cozy, polished and wonderfully old-fashioned in all the right ways.
GOOD COUNSEL: People dress for dinner here—and I love that. The food is spectacular; you should be, too.
A wellness retreat for people who don’t think they’re wellness-retreat people.
You arrive through an ordinary neighborhood and then suddenly you’re somewhere else entirely: lush, quiet grounds tucked into the desert. Five straight days of incredible spa treatments, a sound bath I didn’t know I needed, and Nobu for breakfast and dinner made me a convert. We left genuinely refreshed.
GOOD COUNSEL: Don’t overschedule yourself. This is a place where staying at the resort is the trip.
Mexico, at a quieter pace.
About 90 minutes from Puerto Vallarta, Punta Mita feels tucked away from the bustle. My favorite stay is the St. Regis, where a gorgeous infinity pool practically announces your arrival, the accommodations are beautiful and lunch can mean tacos with your toes in the sand. It’s polished luxury without feeling overdone.
GOOD COUNSEL: This is where I’d send someone who wants a beautiful Mexico beach vacation but doesn’t want the big-resort-zone feeling.
The Hawaii I keep wanting to return to.
Every Hawaiian island has something special, but Kauai still feels wonderfully untamed. Mountains, rainforest, spectacular beaches and roadside stops for something delicious all coexist without the island feeling overly polished or commercialized. From Kentucky, getting there is a commitment—but I’ve never once thought it wasn’t worth it.
GOOD COUNSEL: Choose Kauai if you want the natural beauty and adventure to be the main attraction.
For when you really want to get away.
Getting there is part of the charm: we flew into St. Maarten and took a boat across, and by the time we arrived, Anguilla felt almost off the grid. Think uncrowded white-sand beaches, coral, very little commercialization—and, in our case, a literal beach hut where we ate grilled chicken for lunch every day. Somehow it tasted better there.
GOOD COUNSEL: Don’t come looking for endless attractions. Come because you don’t need them.
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