“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: Jennifer Zuccarini
OCCUPATION: Design Director, Victoria’s Secret / Co-founder of Kiki de Montparnasse
TRAVEL DESTINATION: Sao Paulo, Brazil. I had so much fun there: great architecture, food, nightlife, fashion… and just a little dangerous.
BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT: Anytime, especially from December to May. HOTEL: Hotel Emiliano is a very cool boutique hotel in the posh Jardins neighborhood.
RESTAURANT: KAA is one of the hottest, much talked-about new restaurants. It was designed by Sao Paulo’s own Arthur de Mattos Casas of Studio Arthur Casas Architecture and Design.
HIT THE TOWN: After dinner, head to Skye on the top floor of the boutique Hotel Unique for great views of the Sao Paolo skyline, with an amazing pool. Have a night cap at the Lions Club that long ago housed an elegant men’s club.
SHOP: Thais Gusmao for the best lingerie (cheeky-good fun), Galeria Melissa for shoes, Adriana Barra for quirky, graphic home furnishings, accessories, and sexy reversible bikinis (located in an amazing, historic townhouse with each room fully outfitted in her distinct style.) Choque Cultural is the premier grafitti and underground art gallery.

KAA Restaurant

Galeria Melissa. Photo courtesy of Lalo de Almeida for The New York Times.

Hotel Unique has a thriving nightlife on the roof with 360 degree views.