Jennifer Coppolino

Last week I had the opportunity to take a break from NYC’s frigid temperatures, to visit Barbados with my family. In addition to spending some amazing quality time with my husband and two young children, I also conducted several hotel site visits to share a POV on how to select the best property for my clients on the island.

As a mother of two young children—a 3-year-old and an almost 2-year-old—travel has become an ongoing adventure. While I still love exploring the world, my once-treasured leisurely seaside afternoons and endless aperitivi at sunset are now a bit more fleeting. That said, my children haven’t exactly cramped my style. My older daughter has been to Italy five times, and my younger son three times; at one point, he had spent more of his life abroad than in our New Jersey home. Because of this, clients constantly ask me: What is your favorite family resort in Italy? My answer is always the same—hands down, Borgo Egnazia. And with new direct flights hitting the calendar from the US to Bari, it’s an easier win than ever!

In November of 2025, I had the opportunity to travel with Hyatt and personally explore several of their top adults-only all-inclusive resorts in the Mexican Caribbean. Using Cancún International Airport as our hub, we visited properties stretching from an hour north to an hour south of the airport. I was genuinely impressed by the caliber of the accommodations, food, and service across the board. Still, each resort offers a distinct personality. Here’s how to decide which one is the best fit for your style of travel:

When clients dream of Tuscany, they envision romantic cobblestone streets, centuries-old churches, warm trattorias brimming with local flavor, and, of course, world-class wine, but are sometimes disappointed with the hecticness of the region as they pass through. However, tucked into the rolling hills of eastern Tuscany near Umbria, the lesser known area of Cortona delivers on these expectations. Picture-book perfect and rich in character, Cortona offers all the charm of its more famous neighbors, yet retains a sense of intimacy and authenticity that’s increasingly rare in the region.

If you're captivated by Florence’s Renaissance charm, romantic streets, and rich culture, let me introduce you to its equally enchanting, but slightly less-trodden cousins: Verona and Bologna.

Dreaming of rolling hills, world-class wine, and farm-to-table cuisine—but without Tuscany’s tourist-packed towns and steep prices? Head east to Marche, Italy’s best-kept secret. This under-the-radar region offers all the charm and richness of its more famous neighbor, but with a refreshing sense of authenticity, tranquility, and value.

The stretch of coastline along the Adriatic Sea—from Ravenna through Rimini, straddling the southern part of Romagna and northern Marche—will always be my favorite corner of Italy. Nearly nine years ago, when I first arrived in this region, I had to pinch myself every time I wandered down a cobbled street into a medieval borgo or sat down to a plate of spaghetti alle vongole by the sea. To this day, I still don’t understand why more Americans don’t explore this incredible part of Italy. It may not have the yachts of Portofino or the cliffside drama of Amalfi, but its rich culture, vibrant food scene, and laid-back local charm make it the kind of place you never want to leave.