Dobrina Zhekova

Dobrina Zhekova headshot

Dobrina Zhekova is a lifestyle journalist based in Alexandria, Virginia. She moved to New York City from her native Bulgaria in 2010, and after completing her master’s degree in journalism, she started her career at Elle.com. She has over a decade of editorial experience in print and digital media in Europe and the U.S. Her writing has appeared on InStyle.com, Vogue.com, Departures.com, Elle.com, HarpersBazaar.com, Sunset.com, and more. Dobrina is an expert on all things luxury travel, art, architecture, and design—from the newest 5-star resort in Bora Bora to the latest immersive exhibition in Paris. Dobrina has also extensively written about fashion, tech, and shopping, such as reviewing products that help you stay chic while traveling.

• Articles highlighted in The Los Angeles Times and Smithsonian
• Co-produced a multimedia project that won the Society of Professional Journalists’ National Mark of Excellence Award for Online In-Depth Reporting in 2013
• Received a master’s degree in journalism from Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY.

About Travel + Leisure

Travel + Leisure, a Dotdash Meredith Brand, is a top travel media brand with a mission to inform and inspire passionate travelers. Our expert team includes a network of hundreds of writers and photographers across the globe, all providing a local eye on the best places to stay, eat, and explore. We reach an audience that takes 76 million round trips annually, offering valuable travel tips, ideas and inspiration, and products you need to get you to your destination — whether it’s a small town or big city, beach or lake, national park or theme park, road trip, cruise, or long-haul flight, and everything in between. Learn more about us and our editorial process

Latest from Dobrina Zhekova

Exterior of Waldorf Astoria Riviera Maya
Every Room at This Luxury Hotel on Mexico's Riviera Maya Has a Private Plunge Pool and Ocean Views
Peacock Alley at Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas
The Best Hotel in Las Vegas Now Has 2 Chic New Bars With Panoramic Views of the Strip
Convertible car seat in the backseat of a car
The 7 Best Travel Car Seats, Tested and Reviewed
A sailbaot off the coast of a Michigan city
10 Best Places to Retire in the Midwest for Affordable Housing, a Lower Cost of Living, and Access to Quality Health Care
Waldorf Astoria New York lobby
This Legendary New York City Hotel Is Reopening After a Massive Renovation — and It Has a 30,000-square-foot Spa, an Outdoor Terrace, and a 2-story Restaurant
Mature couple enjoy desert landscape in Arizona
This Is the Fastest-growing Retirement Hot Spot in the U.S. — and No, It's Not in Florida
The Marsaxlokk Fishing Village in Malta
This Island Is One of the Best Places to Retire in Europe for Affordability and Safety
Lake Eola in Orlando, Florida
This City Ranked No. 1 in the U.S. for Retirement for Its Tax-friendliness, Health Care Facilities, and Pristine Weather
houses on the beach in Santa Barbara
This Is the Best Place to Live in the U.S. for Near-perfect Weather and a Mediterranean-like Climate
The pretty seaside town and natural bay of Calella de Palafrugell on Catalonia's Costa Brava.
American Retirees Flock to This International Destination — and It's Got Great Health Care, Low Taxes, and High Quality of Life
Mature couple drinking coffee on porch
This Small Town in Oregon Is One of the Best Retirement Destinations in the U.S. for Its Affordable Housing and Top-notch Health Care — and It's Right Outside of Portland
Rooftop Pool
One of Costa Rica's Most Beautiful Destinations Has a New Family-friendly Hotel — and It's Right Next to the Beach
Aerial view of the island Cayo Levantado Resort in the Dominican Republic is on
This Luxury All-inclusive Resort Just Opened on a Little-known Caribbean Island — With Prices Under $500 a Night
Aerial view of Turtle Bay Resort and Kuilima Cove
This Iconic Hawaiian Resort on O'ahu Has a New Spa, Luxury Oceanfront Bungalows, and Many Family-Friendly Experiences
Homes in Ortley Beach, New Jersey
This Is the No. 1 Luxury Vacation Home Market in the U.S. — and It's in New Jersey
A woman looking at Stapafell mountain in Iceland
This Is the No. 1 Place to Live for Gender Equality — and It Ranks for Happiness and Global Peace, Too
Market Square Louis and Annie Friedman Clock Tower, Houston Historic District, Texas
11 Best Places to Live in the U.S. For Young Adults, According to Real Estate Experts
Lenape Lake Lighthouse in Mays Landing
This Small Town Was Named the Best Place to Retire in New Jersey for Its Low Cost of Living and Affordable Housing — and It's Close to the Beach, Too
Exterior of Brookmere Hotel
This New Boutique Hotel in Saratoga Springs, New York, Has a Beautiful Spa, an Outdoor Sauna, and 30-percent-off Stays Until March
Exterior of Perry Hotel Naples
Naples, Florida, Just Got a New Boutique Hotel With 2 Pools and a Rooftop Restaurant — See Inside
Rendering of the National Geographic Museum of Exploration
The Museums Coming in the Next 5 Years Will Be a New Way to See NYC and Washington, D.C.
Sunset at a beach in Cape Coral
This Florida City Is the No. 1 Warm-weather Destination for Retirees, Seniors, and Snowbirds
Zurich at the evening, Switzerland
This European City Is Where Expats Have the Best Quality of Life, According to a New Report
Luxury homes in Naples, Florida
Florida's Top Luxury Vacation Home Market Is a Nature-lover's Paradise — and No, It's Not Miami, Palm Beach, or Fort Lauderdale