WASHINGTON

This is one beautiful state colored in green and blue: laidback locals, gorgeous vistas, the cool neighborhoods of Seattle, and even that grey drizzle that somehow feels comforting. Seattle is closely associated with Microsoft, Starbucks, Boeing, and even Nordstrom (my personal favorite) - so alongside its casual, coffee-shop feel is a vibrant tech and entrepreneurial vibe. It is also one of the main headquarters for Virtuoso, the travel company I work for. 

SEATTLE

Cafe Presse (plus Stumptown Coffee Roasters next door) - Cafe Presse feels like one of those great European cafes, where you buy magazines and stay all day drinking coffee and eating eggs. If I lived in Seattle, I'd be here a lot.

Monsoon Restaurant - Great Asian food

Tallulah's - Across the street from Monsoon, this is such a lovely Capitol Hill neighborhood restaurant. Delicious, healthy fare like the baby artichoke salad and spring vegetable bowl I scarfed down.

Nishino -  I love this place partly of its location - a leafy green residential neighborhood 15 minutes from downtown Seattle -- but the sushi is amazing and the art-filled space feels special. I will try and eat here every time I'm in Seattle!

Le Panier at Pike Place Market - The chocolate and almond croissants are delicious. Nice for a quick, early breakfast before the market opens.

Lowell's at Pike Place Market - One of the better places to eat at Pike Place. Great seafood and a cool water view.

Fran's Chocolates - A favorite of the Obamas. The grey salt caramels (sea salt caramels) are delicious. Located right at the Four Seasons hotel.

Starbucks Reserve Roastery & Tasting Room - I wandered past this and had to go in. It's like a Starbucks museum, gift shop, and information center all in one. The point is to show you how they roast their beans, I guess, but I didn't really care about that. But you will join the masses snapping photos of all the gleaming copper coffee machines and pipes.

Westward on Lake Union - On a beautiful day, it's hard to beat the view of downtown Seattle from a table outside. Great seafood & sides.

The Elliott Bay Book Company  - Seattle's big and wonderful independent bookstore, with a cool coffee shop to linger with your purchases.