The Jauntista Diaries | Suzy Buckley Woodward

The Jauntista Diaries | Suzy Buckley Woodward

Suzy Buckley Woodward’s profile is enviable. She is considered Miami royalty with her impeccable resume – she was editor-in-chief at Miami Beach-based glossy Ocean Drive Magazine, as well as a contributor to The New York Times, Town & Country, New York Magazine, New York Post, Elite Traveler, Allure and several other international publications.

Also a famous face, she works in television and broadcast media on travel shows from Palm Beach and Barcelona, to St. Tropez and Dubai for networks such as Bravo, Discovery and Travel Channel. She firmed her status as a prominent television personality when she took on roles as an entertainment correspondent for E! Entertainment and Miami’s NBC-6 for several years.

If anyone knows style, it’s Suzy. A wife, mother and one of the most elegant women in horse-racing, she won the Longines Kentucky Derby “Most Elegant Lady” contest in 2014. She has since become an entrepreneur, founding SHAPOH.com, an e-commerce retailer of multi-label, high-fashion fascinators, hats, and headpieces.

You’ve traveled to some of the most beautiful cities in the world. Which has been your favorite?
Indeed I have visited thousands of places but my absolute favorite would have to be all parts of the country of Argentina. From Miami, where I live, it’s a quick 8 1/2 hours which makes the “perfect” overnight flight – you wake up in just about the same time zone refreshed without wasting a single day.

I love the variety of topographies, from the sea and beaches to the countryside and glaciers. Also, the porteños are so warm, friendly and good-looking, plus their accents are great.
As a girls trip organizer, what goes through your mind in the planning process?
I choose destinations with wonderful restaurants and fabulous hotel options in an urban area that offers lots of culture. Convenient transportation is also key. Shopping most definitely has to be within walking distance.

Comfort is imperative. I’m not in college anymore, and neither are my friends. We have absolutely no interest in roughing it. I always look for quality hotels in a central location when planning a trip. If there is a very popular must-visit restaurant in town, we have to be able to get reservations somehow, some way. If there’s a karaoke bar in town, they need to let us sing.

Group dynamics and group size is also essential. I prefer to keep it to a group of 8 to 12, depending on the destination and reason for going.