Writer

Jillian Dara

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For the past decade, Jillian Dara has worked as a researcher, writer, editor, and fact checker for more than a dozen publications in the lifestyle genre. She covers travel, culture, spirits, wine, and personalities.

Highlights:

Former Editor in Chief and Managing Editor at travel and lifestyle magazines
Published in Lonely Planet, Robb Report, Global Traveler, Michelin Guide, Men's Journal, Decanter, and Wine Enthusiast to name a few.
WSET 2 in wine and spirits

Experience:

Traveling, eating, and imbibing may be part of the “job” but Jillian truly believes in the whimsical power of a local culinary experience or traditional spirit to bond strangers in the most chance of circumstances. Her go-tos are a symmetric charcuterie board and a dry martini — dirty.

Education:

Jillian received her Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism from Emerson College.

For the past decade, Jillian Dara has worked as a researcher, writer, editor, and fact checker for more than a dozen publications in the lifestyle genre. She covers travel, culture, spirits, wine, and personalities.

Highlights:

Former Editor in Chief and Managing Editor at travel and lifestyle magazines
Published in Lonely Planet, Robb Report, Global Traveler, Michelin Guide, Men's Journal, Decanter, and Wine Enthusiast to name a few.
WSET 2 in wine and spirits

Experience:

Traveling, eating, and imbibing may be part of the “job” but Jillian truly believes in the whimsical power of a local culinary experience or traditional spirit to bond strangers in the most chance of circumstances. Her go-tos are a symmetric charcuterie board and a dry martini — dirty.

Education:

Jillian received her Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism from Emerson College.

Stories by the Author

Collage of hiking gear featuring a man wearing a blue waterproof jacket in the center, a black and gray Black Diamond headlamp top left, a gray and white Osprey backpack bottom left, a blue Benchmade folding knife top right, and a red Katadyn BeFree water bottle bottom right.

Travel and Leisure: I Asked Professional Hiking Guides What They Never Hit the Trail Without

I realized I needed a compact list of professional hiker-approved essentials to pack, whether I’m taking a day hike or heading out on a longer journey.

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September 25, 2026

Collage of hiking gear featuring a man wearing a blue waterproof jacket in the center, a black and gray Black Diamond headlamp top left, a gray and white Osprey backpack bottom left, a blue Benchmade folding knife top right, and a red Katadyn BeFree water bottle bottom right.

Travel and Leisure: I Asked Professional Hiking Guides What They Never Hit the Trail Without

I realized I needed a compact list of professional hiker-approved essentials to pack, whether I’m taking a day hike or heading out on a longer journey.

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