• September 2015
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• Travel & Leisure

Travel Like A Cover Woman

Create your bucket list with these favorite destinations from 21 former AW cover women.

Nearby or far-flung, these destinations come highly recommended by former Austin Woman cover women.

 

The Davis Mountains

Laura Huffman, April 2012 cover woman

“The Davis Mountains offer some of the most breathtaking views in Texas, and there are so many things to do, including backpacking, bird watching, mountain biking and stargazing. (Those clear, dark skies are amazing!) It’s also home to Mount Livermore, which, at 8,378 feet, is the second-highest mountain in Texas, and one of my favorite places to hike. The Nature Conservancy hosts several open weekends each year where the public can enjoy these spectacular vistas as well.”

 

Italy

Camille Styles, November 2013 cover woman

“For me, you can’t beat the food, wine and joie de vivre of Italy. My very favorite travel memories are of the cobblestone streets of Florence, [which I visited] in college, stunning Amalfi coastline (my honeymoon) and the rich history of Rome, [which I visited] later with my husband. The common bond between all those very different places is the best food in the entire world that’s inspired so many of my own recipes. When you’re in Italy, you can’t help but linger over three-hour lunches, order just one more glass of vino and throw any kind of dietary restraint to the wind!”

 

Belize

Terri Givens, June 2011 cover woman

“My most recent favorite destination is Belize. There’s so much to do there, including snorkeling, cave tubing and hiking in the tropical forests.”

 

South Africa

Patti Smith, January 2005 cover woman

“If there’s one place on earth I’d suggest as a Must Travel destination, I suggest experiencing South Africa. When you’re there amongst nature and animals in their own habitat, there’s a sense of peace that’s hard to describe, but one that stays with you for years to come. I tell my friends I imagine it’s experiencing our world the way God created it in the beginning, without man-made intervention. It’s a soul-renewing experience, and one I highly recommend.”

 

Isles of Capri, Naples, Fla.

Angela Beck, August 2014 cover woman

“The reason that I like to visit this quaint island is because my deceased parents used to own a home there and it brings back so many great memories. My parents always tried to make each place they lived a little better, so they decided to plant palm trees all along the boulevard of this island. There is also a great restaurant called Mickey’s. At Mickey’s, you can sit in the Tiki hut and hang out with the locals. The wall is decorated with license plates of visitors and locals, including one of my mom’s.”

 

Orcas Island, Wash.

Lucia Athens, September 2010 cover woman

“Here is a photo of my husband and me on Orcas Island. We took this picture in the same spot where we were 13 years ago as a new couple on our first romantic getaway.”

 

Blue Hole, Wimberley, Texas

Elizabeth McQueen, October 2014 cover woman

“My Must Travel is Blue Hole, Wimberley. This is a perfect day trip with kids for Austin families looking to get a break. It’s such an idyllic spring-fed treasure.”

 

Santa Fe, N.M.

Barbara Morgan, October 2013 cover woman

“My daughter is about to turn 10, so I thought it was the perfect time to introduce her to an American institution, the road trip. We decided to head to the mountains and along the way, visit one of my favorite cities, Santa Fe, where we ate great food (and some junk food) and took a memorable balloon ride. Santa Fe is pretty amazing from the ground, but the landscape by balloon is even more dramatic. We had so many incredible moments on our eight-day journey through the West, but the balloon ride was an outstanding mother-daughter experience.”

 

Southern California

Olga Campos, December 2007 cover woman

“Our family traveled to LA/Southern California last summer. We spent an amazing time with friends in Venice, sailed from Marina del Rey and explored rooftop restaurants near Santa Monica before driving to Los Olivos. There, we rented a private home, toured extraordinary vineyards and sipped delicious vino during the day and grilled and swam in the evening. Heaven on earth!”

 

Bob Marshall Wilderness, Montana

Sarah Weddington, January 2006 cover woman

“My favorite destination was a six-day horseback trip into the Bob Marshall Wilderness of Montana. We camped at night, had a mule team that carried supplies, cooked meals over an open fire and had wonderful campfire conversations. The surroundings were beautiful, the company was fantastic and I kept thanking my lucky stars for my Texas horse-riding background.”

 

New York City

Ruth Pennebaker, June 2012 cover woman

“My favorite destination is always New York. If you’re a total theater nut, as I am, you can’t stay away long. [The] photo is of me in NYC , where I am uncharacteristically at a Yankees game.” 

 

Las Vegas

Tiffany Chen, April 2010 cover woman

“I love to travel to Vegas. We go about once a year with friends. It’s a place where everyone can let loose and make memories. No advance planning is needed because everything you want to do is right there. I prefer to go in the summer so we can spend the day at a pool cabana. They have the most fantastic spas there, so I always hit the spa.”

 

Spain

Sarah McIntosh, December 2014 cover woman

“My favorite travel destination has to be Spain, specifically the Balearic Islands. I spent time on Majorca. It’s beautiful and the food is amazing!”

 

Home

Missy McCullough, February 2014 cover woman

“No matter where life takes me during the day, my favorite travel destination is always my home. In this precious space, everything that is dear to my heart can be treasured: my beautiful partner, my precious family, friends, animal companions and all the amazing mysteries of each day. From the red cardinals that greet me in the mornings, to visits from my grandsons, to the peace and beauty of the sunsets each night, there is no place better than this.”

 

Greece

Margo Sawyer, October 2008 cover woman

“We all must do our bit to support Greece. I was just there and I had the honor of having dinner in Athens with dear friends sculptor Danae Stratou and her husband, Yanis Varoufakis, the former finance minister of Greece. Much heated discussion was had. Then I spent five glorious days on the island of Hydra in a wonderful lighthouse overlooking the harbor.” 

 

Kenya

Rochelle Rae, January 2011 cover woman

“I have been lucky enough to travel the world and I love it. My favorite has always been the place I am experiencing at the time. Right now, I happen to be in Kenya, Africa. I was fortunate to spend some time with the Austin-based Nobelity Project and it is a life-changing adventure. Our visit was amazing, the children, teachers, everyone. The children I met were bright, excited and curious.”

Christy Pipkin, October 2009 cover woman “I am fortunate that I get to visit our work in Kenya once a year, so I guess that has to be my must-visit. Wonderful country.” 

 

Orvieto, Italy

Karen Hughes, January 2009 cover woman

“Our favorite vacation destination is Orvieto, Italy, a gorgeous hilltop town in Umbria about an hour and a half north of Rome on the train. Great food, great wine, gorgeous Gothic cathedral and beautiful ceramics: What more could you want? The entire town comes out to stroll in the evenings. Relaxing and romantic.” 

 

Iceland

Sharon Watkins, December 2012 cover woman

“I have been to Iceland many times with my friend and guide Runa Bergmann. Runa has now started an Iceland tour business. She can make anything you want to do happen.”

 

Destin, Fla.

Courtney Santana, May 2012 cover woman “We love Destin, Florida! The water is beautiful, the sand is white, the beaches are open 24 hours and the sunsets are magnificent. Destin is only a 12-hour drive from our home and they have amazing restaurants, shopping and attractions as well.”  

 

Tanzania

Niyanta Spelman, April 2014 cover woman

“I am currently traveling through Tanzania, my birthplace, and through Central Africa. Connecting with my roots has left me reinvigorated and excited for what’s to come. I am always amazed by the clarity and joy that comes when traveling.” 

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