She writes about travel for a living. Cool, right? Say hello to Annemarie Dooling. Her love for travel has turned into a full time job, as she is now the Travel & Culture Social News Editor for the Huffington Post Media Group. In this Featured Traveler profile, the Brooklynite, food truck foodie and frill seeker tells about a few of her favorite places.
Name: Annemarie Dooling
Tell us a little about yourself:
I’m a freelance writer for Flavorpill, Time Out and a few magazines, and I blog regularly at www.frillseekerdiary.com. Most recently I became the Huffington Post Media Group’s Travel & Culture Social News Editor where I get to run the HuffPost’s Tumblr and meet fans for over 10 great brands and verticals, including Gadling and AOL Travel. Within the last 12 months I’ve been to six countries and hope to tag another two on before 2012.
Favorite city you’ve been to:
Prague is one of the only cities I’ve ever visited that I could really live in. There’s a great mix of history and art and there’s an ironic twist to the city. The locals are so friendly and you could wander the side streets for hours. I recommend it to everyone.
Favorite restaurant:
I’m usually a food truck kinda girl - and Austin has my favorites - but for an amazing sit down experience, Morels in Vegas cannot be beat. They served me the most ridiculously delicious cheese plate I have ever had in my entire life. A close second? Oru in Vancouver, where Chef David Wong’s sheer passion comes through in every single dish. Finally, Antonio’s in Macau. Chef Antonio Coelho is super talented AND fun.
Best place to relax:
Nyungwe Forest, Rwanda, surrounded by animal sounds and miles and miles of green plants and trees. ou could literally lay on the grass and just smile for hours.
Best place to have fun: Definitely New York. I was born here and still feel like I’ve barely discovered anything! Every week there’s a new event or a new person to meet and it never ends. It took me a few years to appreciate it, but this is where people come to have fun.
Best trip you’ve ever taken:
In 2010 I accepted a sponsored trip to Rwanda and on the way got the chance to stop in Ethiopia and Uganda before arriving in Kigali. I was warned beforehand that Rwanda was both rough and beautiful but I was still not prepared. It was amazing, everything from trekking for gorillas to meeting craftsmen at the market; it’s an amazing country on the rise after a rough patch.
What one piece of advice do you have for travelers?
Never plan anything. You know the old adage, “If you wanna make God laugh, tell him your plans”? It’s never more true than in travel. Prepare for emergencies with guidebooks or apps or cell service or the number of friends or consulate members, but don’t plan anything. You’ll be really disappointed when the plans fall through.
Where else can we find you on the web?
Too many places! I’m a Twitter lover at @travelinganna. My blog loves at www.frillseekerdiary.com and on Facebook at facebook.com/frillseekerdiary. I do some of my best work at urlesque.tumblr.com and huffingtonpost.tumblr.com
