Before Jo Piazza was a podcaster and the best-selling author of 13 books, she was a travel journalist who crisscrossed the globe on assignment. In recent weeks, she’s been on the road promoting her new novel “The Sicilian Inheritance,” a mystery inspired by the murder of her great-great-grandmother. (Spoiler alert: The book will make you want to hop on the next plane to Sicily.)
Here, Piazza talks about the trip that changed her life, her go-to airplane outfit, and the credit card she uses to rack up points.
Approximately how often do you travel?
I used to be on the road for about half the year, but we have three kids under six now, so that has slowed me down. We take about two big family trips a year, a lot of weekend trips around the country, and spend about a month each summer in the Catskills.
My husband, Nick, and I try to take one solo week-long trip without the kids around my birthday in September. He usually surprises me. Last year we went to Lisbon, and it was incredible. The year before we went to Paris. We also try to do a weekend trip alone where we do a mini triathlon. I feel like traveling without kids as a couple is really key to staying connected and continuing to like, and not just love, your spouse.
What was the last place you traveled? When did you go and what was a highlight of the trip?
I just got back from a reporting trip to Sicily, which also turned into a girl’s trip. I was finishing up my true crime companion podcast to “The Sicilian Inheritance,” and I had to travel there at the last minute to dig into court records. My best friend dropped everything and joined me. Because I was kid-free, we had late-night dinners and actually enjoyed some of the museums and ruins that I had missed on my last visit.
We stayed at a wonderful hotel called Hotel Villa Athena right in the Valle dei Templi (the Valley of the Temples). Our room overlooked the Temple of Athena, and we even had a private entrance to the park so we could walk right in and enjoy the sunset inside the ruins. We also sat on our patio and just stared at the gorgeous landscape. It was a delight.
What is the most memorable vacation you've taken and why?
Easily a 10-day tour in the Galápagos Islands about nine years ago. I was on assignment covering an Ecoventura cruise and I ended up meeting my husband, who was also on assignment. As if that weren’t enough, the islands are simply otherworldly and defy all expectations.
What destination is on your bucket list?
I am dying to go to Japan. We were supposed to go a couple of years ago, but it was still mostly closed to tourists for travel, and now it seems like an impossible dream with three kids.
What has been your favorite hotel stay and why?
I appreciate fancy hotels more and more each year. And I don’t mean just hotels that look fancy, but ones that genuinely care for guests and make their experiences better, easier, and more elevated. I once did a week-long stay at the Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti that was out of this world. The suite had a private plunge pool overlooking a watering hole. At one point a baboon broke into my room and ate all the sugar off my coffee cart and one of the security guards had to shoo him outside.
I also love incredibly well-done boutique hotels and motels where you want to return over and over because they feel like home. My favorite spot in the Catskills is The Spruceton Inn, a “bed and bar” in a gorgeous valley in Westkill.
What is your go-to luggage?
I use Away and I love it. I had a perfect suitcase for about 20 years. I don't even know the brand, but it was a great size with multidirectional wheels and it finally just gave up. Now I am an Away junkie.
What's your travel uniform?
Pants with massive pockets, a cozy sweatshirt, and a cozy T-shirt underneath. Also sneakers and compression socks (so sexy!).
Are you a planner or spontaneous when you travel? What are the benefits of your approach?
My travel superpower is my ability to wander and find hidden gems. I truly believe in letting go as much as possible when you travel and letting serendipity take over. That’s how I found the perfect make-your-own sandals shop in Puerto Rico and my favorite hole-in-the-wall seafood joint in Taormina (this one is staying a secret!)
Any tips for fighting jet lag?
I used to try to fight through it and stay up as late as possible, but now I am much kinder to myself, especially if I’m traveling for fun and not work. If I don't have to get up for meetings the next day, I take a nap when I arrive. Then I attempt to get up and take a walk outside, eat a meal, and go back to sleep (usually with half a Unisom if I need one). If I wake up at a weird time, I don’t beat myself up. I just watch a show or read a book. I also rarely drink on planes or for the first 24 hours after I get somewhere because it will mess up my sleep.
What makes you a smart traveler?
My husband is a credit card points guru and I never question him because we are constantly getting free or cheap flights and/or upgrades. We use the Citi/AAdvantage and I put pretty much all of my business expenses on it.
Lightning round:
Packing cubes, rolling method, or neither? Rolling
Window or aisle seat? Aisle unless it is an overnight, then window
Morning, afternoon, or night flight? Morning
Airline loyalist or least expensive flight? Loyalist
Beach or mountains? Mountains
City or nature? Both
Hotel or house rental? Hotel if I’m alone, house rental with kids