Jessica Puckett

Freelance travel journalist based in New York City.

Branded Content


Bon Appétit •

How Scottsdale’s Food Scene Is Becoming One of the Most Unique in America

Scottsdale, Arizona, is brimming with exciting grassroots culinary projects from innovative Native chefs using food as a medium to preserve culture and bolster collective well-being. At the heart of the movement are new blockbuster events,including annual food festivals and symposiums on Indigenous cuisine that draw hundreds of visitors every year.Across Scottsdale, Indigenous chefs from the region’s 22 tribes have been putting traditional Native ingredients and foodways in the spotlight through...
Condé Nast Traveler •

Why Pensacola’s Art Scene Is Worth Traveling For, According to the Creatives Who Live There

Pensacola, Florida, is famous for its sugar-sand beaches and turquoise waters. But there’s a lot more than sun and surf that’s worth exploring in this charming coastal city: Just around the corner from its serene waterfront, Pensacola has a picturesque downtown that’s home to a thriving arts and culture scene.“We have beautiful beaches, but downtown Pensacola is a little separate from that and in my opinion, a hidden gem,” says Corey McKern, artistic director of the Pensacola Opera. “A vacation...
Condé Nast Traveler •

Recharge Your Mind and Body at This Legendary Caribbean Wellness Resort

Wellness-minded travelers are often forced to decide between booking a vacation that is restorative and focused on well-being or a trip that is centered on having fun. But one all-inclusive resort in the Caribbean doesn’t force health-conscious travelers to choose.BodyHoliday in Saint Lucia focuses on rejuvenating guests’ minds, bodies, and spirits through a combination of relaxing wellness treatments, and a daily schedule that ensures guests stay active, connected, and have fun. The family-owne...
Condé Nast Traveler •

How to Spend a Weekend Soaking Up Indigenous Culture in Scottsdale, Arizona

Increasingly, travelers throughout the U.S. are looking for meaningful ways to learn the stories of and engage in the cultures of Indigenous communities whose ancestral lands they’re visiting. Scottsdale, Arizona, is one destination that offers particularly enriching options for tourists to mindfully immerse themselves in the local Native American culture.There are 22 Native tribes in Arizona, including several with deep ancestral links to the Scottsdale area specifically. Two tribes, the Pima a...
Condé Nast Traveler •

How to Plan the Perfect Cultural Getaway in Pensacola

It’s known for its white-sand beaches and calm turquoise waters, but Pensacola is so much more than a beach destination. In fact, its thriving arts and culture scene makes it a dream vacation spot for art lovers. Known as the “Festival City of the South,” Pensacola has many cultural events throughout the year for tourists to plan trips around, including Mural Fest, the Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival, and the Pensacola Foo Foo Festival, all of which happen in November and showcase a wide range of...
Condé Nast Traveler •

Why a Windstar Cruise Is the Best Way to Island Hop in Greece This Summer

In addition to iconic ports like Santorini and Mykonos, Windstar passengers will visit Greece’s smaller islands, like Patmos. Regarded by many as a sacred site, much of the island of Patmos is enshrined as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its significant biblical history. Travelers can visit the Grotto of St. John, where he is said to have recorded what became the Book of Revelations. Beyond its spiritual aspects, Patmos is a charming tangle of narrow stone alleyways that connect a hodge-podge o...
Condé Nast Traveler •

The Southern Island You Should Be Visiting in the Fall

Whether it's a leaf-peeping trip in New England or snagging a cheap flight to Europe in the shoulder season, everybody needs a tranquil fall getaway before the chaos of the holiday season. One amazing fall destination—largely overlooked after the end of summer or in favor of larger cities—is Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.Hilton Head Island, a 45-minute drive from Savannah and 2.5-hour drive from Charleston, is a small coastal town covered in lush forests dripping in Spanish moss and dotted...