Where is Jessica?

Travel Writer Jessica Colley currently lives in New York City when she isn’t on assignment. In 2010, Jessica relocated from Dublin, Ireland to Manhattan. Keep up with her travels on this page that documents her journey between home in New York City, ‘home’ in Dublin, and everywhere in between.

November 2011: Traveling on assignment for Luxury Travel Magazine, I ventured a short 50 miles from New York City to Chester, New York to write about the lovely Glenmere Mansion.

October 2011: Just in time for the harvest, I traveled to the southwest Peloponnese in Greece. In Costa Navarino I picked olives, made the season’s first olive oil, wandered through a market in Kalamata, and learned how to cook local dishes.

July/August 2011: As temperatures soared in New York, I crossed the pond for a cool-weather summer trip to London and Dublin. Highlights included browsing through the Portobello Market and hiking Killiney Hill in Dublin.

June 2011: In June I headed west to San Diego for two hotel reviews, some incredible dining, one memorable chef interview, and a wine tour of Temecula Valley. To top it all off, the car rental was a red little convertible and from Coronado to Del Mar, I was driving around with the top down.

Spring 2011: It was a busy spring in New York City this year, with highlights including a cheese and wine class at City Winery, a couple trips to Citi Field, and plenty of picnics in Washington Square Park and Hudson River Park.

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March 2011: To celebrate the arrival of spring, I spent one of the first sunny weekends of the year exploring a couple wineries in the south fork of Long Island. At Channing Daughters winery I enjoyed an excellent wine flight and couldn’t resist bringing a few bottles home with me.

December 2010/January 2011. To ring in the New Year, I headed back ‘home’ to Dublin to eat, drink, and be merry. From hiking the Dublin mountains to enjoying old favorite restaurants and pubs, check out the homepage to see what I enjoyed most on this trip.

November 2010: On assignment for Luxury Travel Magazine, I traveled north to the lovely Berkshires in western Massachusetts. Home to a country house hotel, Blantyre, I spent a weekend in the professional kitchen learning a few tricks from the executive chef.

Fall 2010: I’m calling New York City home these days, and there’s an incredible amount to explore in a 5-block radius – nevermind the entire city! Expect more restaurant reviews and strategies for exploring New York City through the eyes of a local.

Summer 2010: I’m spending this summer exploring the northeastern section of the US including New York City, Washington DC, and more. Check back for restaurant reports, top attractions, and interesting ways to enjoy the steamy summer weather.

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May 2010: The spring weather lured me to the west of Ireland to explore the Aran Islands and get reacquainted with Galway, Roundstone, and Connemara. The stunning cliffs off Dun Aengus on the Aran Islands once again proved there’s always something new to see on this small island.

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April 2010: Spring was late in Dublin this year, making a trip to sunny Malta and Sicily all the more satisfying. In Malta, I explored a Sunday fish market, lounged on the beach, and strolled the ancient streets of Valetta and Mdina. After a few days we took a flight to Sicily, and I fell for a new corner of Italy. In Taormina, Ragusa, and Noto I ate delicious seafood and pasta, sampled a variety of Nero d’Avola, feasted my eyes on Baroque architecture, and stayed at two very special hotels, La Moresca and SevenRooms Villadorata.

March 2010: A long weekend in Oxford and London reminded me that, ‘when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life.’ I skipped the major tourist attractions in favor of my favorite way to explore: walking and eating. From a Michelin 3-star splurge at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons outside Oxford, to a special birthday treat in the Notting Hill neighborhood of London, I enjoyed the culinary side of these familiar places.

February 2010: In a true recession spirit, I ‘got away’ without getting away too far in the Garden of Ireland, County Wicklow. Only a half hour drive from my hometown of Dublin, I was incredibly impressed with the Ritz Carlton Powerscourt and the spectacular Gordon Ramsay Restaurant with views overlooking the majestic Sugar Loaf Mountain. If you’re planning a visit – don’t miss the spa!

December 2009: Instead of heading south this winter, I decided to embrace the cold and head for the mountains. On assignment for Luxury Travel Magazine, I went to one of the most famous ski resorts in the French Alps, Megeve.

November 2009: During a quick trip home for Thanksgiving, I squeezed in a trip to the Metropolitan Opera House, went for a stroll along the Hudson under the George Washington Bridge, and explored the new ‘High Line’ park on the West Side of Manhattan.

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October 2009: Since the day I left Italy in March 2008, I’ve wanted to return for an extended trip to learn the language and spend my days cooking from the markets. This dream hasn’t come true just yet, but this month I will return to Venice. Check back for stories of my trip, as I travel on assignment for Luxury Travel Magazine.

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September 2009: With family members visiting me in Dublin, I spent some time exploring Ireland. From Howth to Dun Laoghaire, from the Sugar Loaf to Newgrange, I got to show people I love, the place I love.

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July 2009: Travelers could spend a lifetime exploring the many faces of Spain. My 2nd trip to the country in six months brought me to the island of Mallorca for a proper vacation of sun, surf, and cuisine.

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June 2009: New York City and Houston, Texas were my urban breaks of the summer. I tasted real southern barbeque, survived 101 degree weather, and put fresh in my memory the long list of things I’ve missed about America. 

May 2009: I’ve left Dublin for a break to spend some time in NJ/NYC working on my memoir. A trip to Houston, Texas and Mallorca, Spain are next on the itinerary!

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April, 2009: The Grand Tour of France. Dublin was late to bloom this year, so I spent the first couple weeks of April in sunny France. On assignment for Luxury Travel Magazine, I travelled to Paris, Bordeaux and Provence. 

February, 2009: Co. Kerry, Ireland. Any opportunity to explore more of Ireland, my adopted home, is one I jump on. When Luxury Travel Magazine wanted me to write about Sheen Falls Lodge, in County Kerry, I was very excited to see more of the west of Ireland.

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January 2009: Aruba. A week on the beach in this gourmet paradise is enough to convince anyone to buy a boat and move south.

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December 2008: Spain. Just as winter was beginning in Dublin, I took a warm-weather escape to the south of Spain. Seeing Sevilla decorated for the Christmas season and a trip across the strait of Gibraltar to Tangier, Morocco were highlights of this trip.

November, 2008: Stockholm, Sweden. A long weekend in Sweden for the season’s first snowfall proved magical. I was impressed by the Swedish emphasis on design, simple and delicious food, and great nightlife.

October, 2008:

Dublin, Ireland. Exploring new neighborhoods and weekend getaways in my new ‘home’ have brought a sense of travel into everyday life.