Destinations

Trying to decide where to go next and what your next chapter calls for? After traveling almost a quarter of the world, The Ambition Atelier offers insights to a curated list of destinations and experiences — from remote polar expeditions to heritage-rich grand hotels, boutique escapes, and cultural capitals you’ll remember long after the journey ends.

Every recommendation is intentional and can match your aspirations, your rhythm, and the life you’re designing. These are destinations that don’t just show you the world. They transform how you see it.

Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul luxury hotel exterior with Bosphorus view, showcasing Ottoman architecture and five-star accommodations.

Editor Notes: A Curated Collection of My 10 Most Memorable Hotel Stays

Çırağan Palace Kempinski Istanbul luxury hotel exterior with Bosphorus view, showcasing Ottoman architecture and five-star accommodations.

Sep 2, 20256 min read

Windstar Cruises' four-masted sailing yacht anchored off Moorea, French Polynesia, with emerald volcanic peaks rising above turquoise lagoon waters.

Editor Notes: French Polynesia

Windstar Cruises' four-masted sailing yacht anchored off Moorea, French Polynesia, with emerald volcanic peaks rising above turquoise lagoon waters.

Aug 29, 20255 min read

View from The Singular Hotel in Patagonia

Editor Notes: Patagonia

View from The Singular Hotel in Patagonia, one of South America's most unique stays. First Impressions: Meeting Patagonia for the First Time I’ve traveled to 28 countries, and Patagonia has been one of the first places that didn’t just show me beauty-it confronted me with it. Literally, the force of the wind hit me the second I stepped off the plane in El Calafate -- not a breeze, not a gust, but a full-body slam that made me grab my husband's arm and laugh. Patagonia is unto

Aug 27, 20254 min read

cartoon bluejay bird perched on a holly tree branch looking at a van cleef and arpels alhambra necklace gold. the sky is shades of dark green and fades into beige

hotel-ciragan-palace-kempinski-istanbul_

Editor Top Hotel Picks

Whether you’re seeking indulgence or value, there’s always a way to craft a journey that feels uniquely yours. Check out my curated list of the some of the top hotel stays I’ve experienced worldwide and discover for yourself.

Tiny Travel: How Well-Traveled Women Are Choosing Shorter, Smarter Escapes in 2026

Tiny Travel isn’t the end of long-haul travel. It’s the refinement of everything in between. This pillar was sparked by Southern Living’s recent framing of “tiny travel” as the 2026 shift toward shorter, lower-friction getaways that feel meaningful without requiring a week of planning or PTO gymnastics. Afterall, we have enough on our plates already. Don't get me wrong, I still have long trips planned for 2026. Those stay sacred. BUT this year, I’m also intentionally layer

Jacqueline May

Woman with curly hair walks along a waterfront, holding a phone and book. City skyline in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

Work. Wander. Win: How to Use the Popular Tax-Strategy to Make Every Business Trip Work Harder for You

How often do you think about the fact that a well-planned business trip can quietly subsidize the kind of personal experiences you rarely make time for? Business travel is no longer just about attending conferences or work meetings, it’s about designing trips that work smarter for you. Enter “The Sandwich Rule.” The Sandwich rule offers a strategic way to blend business and leisure while staying compliant with IRS guidelines. For w-2 employees, it means extending your stay wi

Jacqueline May

Editor's Picks: 7 Essentials That Make Frequent Flying Effortless

After years of flying an average of ten or more times annually, I’ve come to learn a thing or two about packing efficiently and effectively. Most importantly, I’ve learned that when your essentials are reliable, travel becomes more seamless rather than stressful. Some items earn a permanent place as my travel go-tos, not because they’re trendy, but because they perform exceptionally well and make life between gates and hotel rooms feel effortless. Here are the seven products

Jacqueline May

Editor's Pick: Beneath the Ice - A Luxury Expedition for the Deep Explorer

A Journey Few Ever Take Diving into the frigid clear Antarctic waters aboard Viking Octantis’s bright yellow submarine was a powerful experience. When the hatch sealed, and daylight slowly narrowed into a soft halo above, removing most color from our vision, we knew we were headed into a silent untouched world. For growth-minded women, these are not just any travel experiences . They are markers. They are moments that remind you just how far your own ambition can take you, b

Jacqueline May