“50 Best Travel Destinations” I asked great friends to share their favorite travel spots around the globe, both close to home and far, far off the beaten path. Herein are their responses.

NAME: Cindy Greene
OCCUPATION: Fashion Designer (and former partner of Libertine)
TRAVEL DESTINATION: Kruger National Park, South Africa
HOTEL: Otters Den River Lodge, www.ottersden.co.za
BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT: June to September
SAFARI: Siyabona Africa for safari arrangements, www.siyabona.com

Photo from Ottersden.com

Photo from Ottersden.com

Photo Cindy Greene.

Photo Cindy Greene.

Photo from Ottersden.com.za.

Photo Cindy Greene.

Photo Cindy Greene.

“50 Best Travel Destinations” I asked great friends to share their favorite travel spots around the globe, both close to home and far, far off the beaten path. Herein are their responses.

NAME: Katie Lee
OCCUPATION: Cookbook author of  The Comfort Table
TRAVEL DESTINATION: Punta Mita, Mexico
HOTEL: Four Seasons www.fourseasons.com/puntamita
RESTAURANT: El Corral (delicious local seafood), Aramara (Asian/Mexican fusion), or any taco stand in town.
BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT: January through March. The whales migrate though the area during this time. Every morning from my casita I watched whales jumping. Pretty spectacular way to start the day!
ROAD TRIP: Rent a car and spend some time exploring nearby beaches. If you like to surf, there are great waves and not too many people in the line-up. There are several interesting towns to check out as well, like Sayulita and San Pancho, which are only about 20 to 30 minutes from Punta Mita.

Katie's fresh catch of the day! Photo Katie Lee.

Fresh fish at The Four Seasons. Photo Jaunt Magazine.

Punta Mita sunset. Photo Katie Lee.

“50 Best Travel Destinations” I asked great friends to share their favorite travel spots around the globe, both close to home and far, far off the beaten path. Herein are their responses.

NAME: Juan Gali
OCCUPATION: Bon Vivant
TRAVEL DESTINATION: Bariloche, Patagonia, Argentina
HOTEL: Llao Llao Resort + Spa, www.llaollao.com
BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT: Early December (for warm weather); July (for cold weather)
FRIENDLY TRAVELS: If you arrive smelling like a horse from a 2 week riding and camping trip, they let you go straight to your room to shower, no questions asked!

Wintery Bariloche, Patagonia.

Sunny Bariloche, Patagonia.

Poolside mountain view..