Noreen Kompanik

Noreen Kompanik is a freelance journalist and photographer from San Diego, California. After almost 35 years as a registered nurse and legal nurse consultant, she hung up her stethoscope for good to travel the world and write about her adventures. She is the pioneer of Great Escape Publishing’s Travel Writers Café and has been an instructor at their travel writing events for six years.

Her interests include history, food, wine, beach destinations, sustainable living, and of course, travel. Her stories have appeared in Travel Pulse, Edible San Diego Magazine, Europe Up Close, International Living, Food, Wine, Travel Magazine, San Diego Explorer, and more.

Noreen is a member of the International Travel Writers and Photographers Alliance (ITWPA), International Food, Wine, and Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA) and the San Diego Press Club.

You can find samples of her published stories on her website whatsinyoursuitcase.com

10 Best Things to Do in Kauai, Hawaii

December 23, 2020 By Noreen Kompanik

Known for its unique geography and unparalleled natural beauty, Kauai is one of the most breathtaking islands in the world. Ninety-seven percent of its land is covered with verdant, … [Read more...] about 10 Best Things to Do in Kauai, Hawaii

11 Best Things to Do in Maui, Hawaii

November 30, 2020 By Noreen Kompanik

I often call Maui the sampler platter of the Hawaiian Islands. Commonly known as the Valley Isle, Hawaii’s second-largest island enthralls visitors with its staggeringly beautiful scenery. You name … [Read more...] about 11 Best Things to Do in Maui, Hawaii

10 Best Things to Do in Isla Mujeres, Mexico

November 19, 2020 By Noreen Kompanik

Isla Mujeres–the Island of Women. This is Yucatán’s magical paradise. Located just over 12 miles from busy Cancún, the island is accessible by boat or a 20-minute ferry ride. Though the … [Read more...] about 10 Best Things to Do in Isla Mujeres, Mexico

9 Best Things to Do in the Riviera Maya, Mexico

November 6, 2020 By Noreen Kompanik

Situated along the Caribbean coastline in the eastern portion of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, the Riviera Maya encompasses an 80-mile stretch between the popular resort city of Cancún in the north and … [Read more...] about 9 Best Things to Do in the Riviera Maya, Mexico

10 Best Things to Do in the Dominican Republic

October 13, 2020 By Noreen Kompanik

I love destinations that surprise. Traveling to the Dominican Republic was always on my bucket list. But when a good friend of mine visited there a few years back and raved about it, I moved … [Read more...] about 10 Best Things to Do in the Dominican Republic

11 Best Things to Do in St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands

September 28, 2020 By Noreen Kompanik

The three major islands comprising the U.S. Virgin Islands are St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John. The smallest of the three, St. John possesses an unspoiled beauty unsurpassed anywhere in the … [Read more...] about 11 Best Things to Do in St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands