Alyssa Quirico

Editorial Assistant, Digital

Contributor Since

Sep 2014

Countries Visited

@aquirico

Alyssa Quirico currently lives in her hometown of Calgary, Alta., but she’s also lived in Los Cabos, Mexico and San Francisco, Calif. She has a communications degree in journalism, has worked in marketing and written feature and lifestyle stories for publications like Fast Forward Weekly and YP.ca. When she’s not assisting the WestJet Magazine team, she’s travelling mostly for food, great patios and thrift-store treasures.

Coolest place you’ve ever visited and why: Frenchmen Street in New Orleans, for its unapologetic authenticity. And of course, the music.

Favourite travel memory: Looking out at the horizon from Cotopaxi, a glacier volcano in Ecuador, just taking it all in.

Best travel advice: Make conversation with taxi drivers and bartenders wherever you go, they’ll give you the best suggestions.

Recent Articles

Your Ultimate Guide to Dim Sum

In celebration of Chinese New Year on January 28, friends and families of Chinese heritage will gather to feast on dim sum. Here, we suggest some top places to eat dim sum, what to order, plus tips on how to eat it from Toronto chef Susur Lee.

Occidental at Xcaret Destination, Photo courtesy of Barceló Hotel Group

Hotels in Playa del Carmen and Riviera Maya

Options for hotels in Playa del Carmen and Riviera Maya include the adults-only Royal Hideaway Playacar, the all-inclusive Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya and the Occidental at Xcaret Destination surrounded by lush jungle.

Photo courtesy of Little Octopus in Nashville Tennessee

19 Places to Eat and Drink in Nashville

This Tennessee city's food scene couldn't be hotter. Eat hot chicken and barbecue, sip creative cocktails in historic locales and indulge in artisan doughnuts and chocolate.

5 Reasons to Love Summer in Ottawa

Do yoga on Parliament Hill, visit the Byward Market and cycle along the Rideau Canal.c

5 Reasons to Love Summer in Calgary

There's tons of live music, the bike paths are epic, you can float on the river and The East Village is where you should hang out.

Nashville Behind-the-Scenes: Museums, Art Galleries, Music Venues and Locally Owned Stores

Meet the artists, the musicians and the makers behind Nashville's must-visit attractions such as the Ryman Auditorium, Country Music Hall of Fame, Peter Nappi shoe store and The Arts Company.

Learn to Cook Yucatecan Cuisine in Mérida

Get hands on with the Yucatan's unique regional cuisine at chef David Sterling’s Los Dos Cooking School in Mérida.

4 Authentic Irish Pubs in North America

Whiskey, ale and atmosphere—it’s all authentic at these pubs in Halifax, Banff, Montreal and New York City.

Party Hotels in Edmonton, New York City and Scottsdale

If you don't plan on sleeping much, want great cocktails or are looking for a pool party vibe, a party hotel is the way to go. Edmonton's Crash Hotel is within walking distance to the ICE district, New York City's Pod 39 has a killer rooftop bar and W Scottsdale's WET Pool is open 24/7.

What to Do Along Fifth Avenue in Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Located about an hour from Cancun in Mexico’s Riviera Maya is Playa del Carmen’s bustling Fifth Avenue, known as “La quinta” to locals. On and just off this pedestrian-friendly drag, you’ll find boutique shops, flea-market stalls, great food and buzzing nightlife.