Edelman Atlanta

My perfect vacation is finding a hidden oasis away from the hustle and bustle that comes with most tourist destinations...and more often than not, the search for such an oasis leads me to Central or South America.

I love the culture, the beauty of the land, the people I meet and the ability to get away from it all. It's on my annual international trip that I'm finally able to muster up enough will power to leave behind the cell phone (and now my Blackberry).

I'm fortunate to have a boyfriend who enjoys such travel as well and in recent years we've managed to soak up the sun and culture in Mexico (Cuernavaca, Taxco, Ixtapa, Zihuatenjo and other remote locals, opting to avoid Cancun and Alcapulco), Venezuela (Caracas, Canaima and Los Roques), Costa Rica (San Jose / Alajuela, Volcan Arenal, Monteverde and Tortuguero Island) and next Belize. We're even already thinking about our 2007 trip, which could very well be the Galapagos Islands.

We try to alternate each year between lazy, strolling, beach trips and adventure trips (which usually involve crazy itineraries such as 3 cities in 7 days or days packed full of physical activities such hiking, kayaking and snorkeling all in the same day). But no matter the destination, we always come back with fun stories of humorous mistranslations or unreal transportation experiences--from bus rides with chickens and plane trips in aircraft that hasn't been flown in the U.S. for decades to jeep-boat-jeep treks that are over such rough terrain that it takes you 3 hours to go 17 miles.

Every moment is a true slice of life...and as nice as the Ritz Carlton can be, it just isn't the same.