Meet Freelance Writer and Free Spirit Kate Donnelly

Hometown: Kansas City, Missouri.

Occupation: Writer.

Favorite destinations: The Adirondacks, Barcelona, Buenos Aires, Kiawah Island, Sayulita, Paris, and New York City.

Bizarre travel rituals: Packing last-minute.

In-flight relaxation regime: Old school: a chill pill, a glass of wine, and a book.

Always in carry-on: Carry ON!

Concierge or DIY? DIY first, concierge as backup.

See it all or take it easy? See it all.

Drive or be driven? Walk.

Travel hero: My brother, Rory.

Weirdest thing seen on travels: Intense body piercings in otherwise R-rated areas.

Best hotel amenity: Great beds.

Dying to visit: Istanbul, Morocco, Portugal, Botswana, Bhutan, Sicily, Chilean Patagonia and Atacama Desert, and Machu Picchu.

I always bring home chocolate, leather goodies, postcards, local music, flea market finds.

Everywhere I go, I check out the coffee, wine shops, bookstores, boutiques.

I dream about my meal at Balthazar.

When I arrive in a new place, I learn the lay of the land by talking to the locals.

If I never return to Cancun it'll be too soon because, let's be honest, high school was lame.

I travel because the journey is the destination.