Meet the Writer: Alyssa Shelasky

Hometown: Born in Longmeadow, Massachusetts. Been in NYC for 17 years. I now live in DUMBO.

Occupation: Writer.

Favorite destinations: Rome, London, Kefalonia, Anguilla.

Dying to visit: Seville; anywhere I haven't been yet in Spain.

Bizarre travel rituals: I once flirted my way to first class on a flight to Athens, and I've never stopped trying since. No plane food ever — arrive at destination hungry. Airplanes are the only place I'm blatantly unfriendly to thy neighbors: Leave me the F alone.

In-flight relaxation regime: Wool socks and a good book.

Always in carry-on: An engraved four-leaf-clover charm necklace from my mother.

Concierge or DIY? DIY ... desperate to move my body after a long flight.

See it all or take it easy? Something in between? Relaxation ... infused with excitement.

Drive or be driven? I'm a girl of simple pleasures, but I'll never refuse a driver.

Travel hero: Anyone lucky enough to ship all their shit to/from in advance.

Weirdest thing seen on travels: An old Italian lady aggressively massaging my, um, entire upper body at a spa in Florence.

Best hotel amenity: Massive bathtub and heavenly bathrobe.

I dream about my meal on a bench by Bouchon Bakery in Napa.

Everywhere I go, I check out "real people" homes, writer hang-outs, and black licorice bins.

When I arrive in a new place, I learn the lay of the land by walking till my feet bleed.

I always bring home beautiful olive oil, unusual chocolates, stolen tea cups.

If I never return to a certain unnamed restaurant in Paris, it'll be too soon because I was food poisoned so viciously that I actually wanted to die.

I travel for the simple reason that I just can't get enough.