#MediaMonday – Dr. Cacinda Maloney
Today’s #MediaMonday comes to us from Dr. Cacinda Maloney of PointsandTravel.com, who is also a digital influencer, travel ambassador and columnist for Travelocity and #SuperCurator and Travel Expert for Flip Board.
Tell us how you got your started in journalism?
Actually travel was the catalyst. I share my love of travel thru my writings about adventure, culture, and luxury travel experiences. I stepped out of my comfort zone six years ago to become a travel writer starting my website Pointsandtravel. But before that I had been traveling every six weeks of my life for over 20 years as a lifestyle choice. Now I travel even more than that having traveled to 47 countries in 2016, 22 countries in 2017 and 15 countries in 2018. I love transformation travel that is rich in cultural experiences.
And how did you make your way to all of these outlets?
They found me on the internet and liked my storytelling abilities and asked to work with me! Right time, right place!
Where did you grow up?
In a small town in Texas called Pampa.
Favorite types of music?
Spanish and country.
Favorite color?
Green OR Blue/while together
Favorite places to visit?
That is a hard question to answer. There are so many amazing things to see and visit in this world! I love Mexico, Chile, Spain, Croatia, and Italy a ton. But I have also hiked to Machu Picchu, galloped on camels at sunrise in Jordan, zip-lined through a rainforest in Mexico, rappelled a 100-foot waterfall in Costa Rica, kayaked in the Galapagos, sailed through Greece, floated in the Dead Sea, eaten at Michelin-starred restaurants in Monaco, marveled at the markets of Guatemala, went river boating down the Amazon basin in Guyana, traipsed the underground Soviet silos in the Ukraine, danced with natives in Fiji, swam with stingrays in the Cayman Islands, dived with sharks in Roatan, roamed the streets of Istanbul, admired the Old City in Israel, rode a luxury train through the Golden Triangle of India and gawked at the Taj Mahal —just to name a few.
What are some of your favorite local spots or things to do?
A local restaurant in Phoenix called Rokerji is one of my favorites, the speakeasy Straight Up hidden inside Hotel Adeline is super cool with the master mixologists Miguel Mora. A far as resorts, I love the Four Seasons Scottsdale, Boulders, Hermosa Inn, Royal Palms, Andaz Scottsdale, Sanctuary on Camelback, Mountain Shadows, and the spa at the Omni Montelucia – just to name a few!
Favorite foods or restaurants?
Mexican food, of course!
Least favorite food?
Sushi
Three things readers would be surprised to know about you?
I was a Physician/Chiropractor for 22 years before getting into the luxury travel experience business!
I went to 47 countries in one year: 2016!
I love colonial Spanish architecture and interior design.
What should people be pitching you?
Paid campaigns and press trips where they want to work with an influencer in the luxury travel industry. Travel experiences that include adventure, culture, or luxury are what they should be pitching to me.
What is the lead time you need for content?
Two to four weeks
What is the best way to reach you?
PointsandTravel@gmail.com
