For Women’s History Month, we have asked five female leaders in our community to share with us the best things about The Palm Beaches. How does their perfect day in The Palm Beaches look like? Here is what they think.   

Kristl Story, Owner of West Palm Beach Food Tours

Kristl Story is the owner of West Palm Beach Food Tours and a local resident in West Palm Beach. Her perfect day starts at the West Palm Beach Green Market along Clematis Street, where several local vendors sell homemade goods, artisanal products, and fresh produce. Then, her perfect day goes on with an afternoon by the pool and dinner in Downtown West Palm Beach, a vibrant area rich in local and international flavors. From Italian food to classic American cuisine to Asian and Mexican options – there is something to satisfy even the most demanding palate. Finally, Kristl’s perfect day in The Palm Beaches ends with a show at the Kravis Center For The Performing Arts. The Kravis Center is a not-for-profit, professional performing arts center in Downtown West Palm Beach offering a diverse schedule of national and international artists and companies, as well as arts education programs. All these attractions are within walking distance … “Perks of living in Downtown!” – says Kristl.  If you are new to Palm Beach, the first place you should check out according to Kristl is The Breakers Palm Beach, a must-see spot for all visitors. With its majestic and elegant architecture, The Breakers will with no doubt make your jaw drop. And what does Kristl love the most about The Palm Beaches? Well, for sure the fact that in The Palm Beaches, there is anything a big city can offer with the advantage of being less crowded and congested. That’s why Kristl’s friends and family are always down for a trip to The Palm Beaches!

“We have all the perks of a big city without the crowds and congestion, and my friends and family always want to visit.”  

About Kristl: As a child, Kristl’s dream was of being a baker and travel agent, and the food tourism business feeds both her passions. At the age of 50, she decided to turn her passions into West Palm Beach Food Tours. She came up with the idea of opening a Food Tour company 8 years ago, when she took her first trip to Austin, Texas. There, she participated in a food tour and realized the potential such tours have in the diversified culinary scene of Palm Beach County.

Debbie Hudzik, Owner of Lotus Travel Company

For Debbie Hudzik, owner of Lotus Travel Company, the perfect day in The Palm Beaches is all about girls’ fun. First thing first, she would start the day with a picnic on the beach with cozy blankets, gourmet coffees and treats… All of this while enjoying the beautiful sunrise that our coast offers. Then, her perfect day continues at famous Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa, a front ocean luxury retreat with one of the best spas in The Palm Beaches. After a day of pool fun, spa treatments, and relax under the cabanas, it’s time for Debbie and her gals to dress up for champagne happy hour on the terrace at Eau – just the perfect place to plan their next adventure together, she said. 

“For me is all about the ultimate girls trip. I’d grab my gals and start early with a sunrise beach picnic. I’ll bring cozy blankets, gourmet coffees and treats.”  

Her favorite must-see spot in The Palm Beaches? The famous Kapok Tree on Lake Trail on Palm Beach Island – that’s where she’d bring her friends visiting the Palm Beach area for the first time. 

Debbie stresses on the importance of the Gulf Stream water for The Palm Beaches. “These powerful current streams so close to our shore (closer than anywhere else in the US) bring us gorgeous and warm aqua color waters to our beaches at a temperature that rarely drops below 72 degrees,” she explains. And that’s why here in The Palm Beaches we swim all year long!

About Debbie: Debbie started traveling the world at the age of 52, when she travelled the world alone for an entire year on the path of self-discovery. It’s during this long journey that she came up with the idea of Lotus Travel Company. She started hosting guided tours of the places she had lived, sharing her insider travel knowledge, and that led to the launch of her company. Debbie has lived in New Jersey, Boston, California, Italy, Australia and Bali, and is now based in Palm Beach, which she defines as “Paradise.”  

Amy J. Kight, Executive Director of the Busch Wildlife Sanctuary

Even Amy J. Kight, Executive Director of the Busch Wildlife Sanctuary, would start her perfect day in The Palm Beaches with a visit to the Green Market in West Palm Beach. She loves going there to look for plants and then have lunch in one of the great Downtown restaurants. Besides that, she also loves staying at home, where her beloved horses are always waiting for her in her own backyard. 

“I am somewhat of a homebody though and love that I live in a place where I can keep my horses in my own back yard.”

Whenever she has friends visiting The Palm Beaches, she loves taking them to Grandview Public Market and to The Square – both awesome places in West Palm Beach. Located on Clare Avenue, Grandview Public Market is an innovative dining concept that showcases 12 chef-inspired vendors serving various food options, from pizza to vegan options to Jamaican food and more. The Square is a contemporary neighborhood where fine cuisine, world-class art, design, and retails mix together. Located in the heart of Downtown West Palm Beach, The Square is a vibrant venue perfect to spend some shopping and dining time before heading to Clematis Street for the night.

Something Amy looks forward to visiting? The Delray Beach Market, a giant food hall that celebrates the vibrance and diversity of Delray Beach.   About Amy: Born and raised in Palm Beach County, Amy serves as the Executive Director of Busch Wildlife Sanctuary and has over 25 years of experience working with animals and wildlife. Prior to coming to the Sanctuary, Amy served as Palm Beach County’s Wildlife Officer and holds multiple certifications including Florida Animal Control Officer, Chemical Capture, and is an internationally certified Wildlife Rehabilitator.

Marjorie Waldo, President & CEO of Arts Garage

For Marjorie Waldo, President & CEO of Arts Garage, the perfect day in The Palm Beaches starts and ends in Delray Beach, where she works and lives since 1999. She loves everything about this area, from its beautiful art to its delicious food options to the local people. And her favorite must-see spot is right there in Delray Beach: It’s Arts Garage, a place where people are surrounded by art, passion, and talent. As Marjorie explains, the art gallery offers something for any visitor:  

“From Grammy award winning nationally and internationally touring musicians to emerging visual arts, you can always find something to see at Arts Garage that brings you the joy that only comes from culture and art and community.”  

Marjorie moved to The Palm Beaches in 1999. Today, over two decades later, she is still living in this heavenly area of South Florida because of the beauty that surrounds her every single day.  

“When I moved to Miami in 1995, I promised myself I would never forget to appreciate palm trees and the sound of the surf and the sunshine. And I haven’t.”

About Marjorie: Marjorie is the President & CEO of Arts Garage, a gallery bringing local, emerging artists and established global performers into South Florida’s community. She believes that theater and music have the power to foster a sense of belonging for a diverse population and to bring people together. Through her work at Arts Garage, Marjorie combines her love for theatre and music with her passion for education and community.

Julia Dattolo, President & CEO of CareerSource Palm Beach County

When Julia and her husband had to move to Florida from California with the military in the 1990’s, they started looking for a location that resembled San Diego, California. One of their friends recommended Palm Beach County, and – once they visited Palm Beach – they simply fell in love with our area.

“Once we visited Palm Beach, we were sold! Palm Beach had so much to offer in so many ways, it made our decision easy. Arts, culture, athletics, business, medicine, education, and recreation through all seasons for all ages was the perfect place to raise our family.”

For Julia, every single day is a perfect day in The Palm Beaches. During these sunny days with perfect temperatures, Julia enjoys watching the sunrise on the beach and observing turtle hatchlings heading out to sea. Then, she loves visiting the farmers market to pick up fresh produce and flowers. And she also takes advantage of all sports’ events organized in The Palm Beaches: Spring training baseball, polo or the Honda Classic. Finally, Julia’s perfect day ends on Love Street watching the moon rise over the iconic Jupiter Lighthouse.   

“I can’t pick one perfect day because Palm Beach offers so much and offers different things to do in each season.”  

A visit to the Norton Museum in West Palm Beach or to ArtiGras in Palm Beach Gardens and a show at the Kravis Center are also among Julia’s favorite activities. But – after all – sometimes even just enjoying our palm trees is all she needs to make her day a perfect one!  

“Yet, I know if my day were to revolve around the arts and culture, we have the Norton Museum, ArtiGras and a show at the Kravis at night. Perhaps, lunch on the rooftop of RH. Sometimes just sitting in my own backyard enjoying palm trees swaying in the breeze, a BBQ and the wonderful weather in Palm Beach is the perfect day!”  

Her top recommendations for anyone visiting The Palm Beaches?  The Jupiter Lighthouse for the best views in Palm Beach County from a 1860 landmark, and Worth Avenue for a top luxury shopping experience on Palm Beach Island.

About Julia: Julia is the President & CEO of CareerSource Palm Beach County. She was raised in Italy and the Middle East before coming to America as a teenager. She went to local schools and spoke Italian, French, and Arabic fluently. She joined CareerSource Palm Beach County in 2015 following a brilliant 22-year military career which culminated in the rank of U.S. Navy Commander in charge of Jacksonville Naval Hospital Detachment and Naval Operations Support Center.