Where to go for my first international getaway? Friends have raved about Merida, Mexico. And then I read how 60,000 readers of Conde Nast Traveler named it in the best small city in the world for 2019. Off we went, and it turned out we liked it so much we extended our stay. It has it all – a serious foodie city, incredible mansions built in the late 19th and early 20th century when Merida had one of the most significant numbers of millionaires in the world, very good hotels and museums, major Mayan ruins nearby, and designer shopping. Plus, it’s totally authentic, with hardly an American fast food chain in sight, safety protocols to the max and you can fly nonstop from Miami to Merida, Mexico (Just over 2 hours).  Plus you can team the visit up with a beach stay in Playa Del Carmen and get my friend and family discount at a top luxury resort.