Debra Smith - Where to Lady - Los Angeles

Hello and thanks for visiting! I’m a travel writer, editor and photographer living in Calgary, Alberta, with my husband and travelling companion Wallace, and our ginger tabby, Lucy.

I love to write about luxury hotels and resorts, cruises, soft adventure, fine dining and cultural experiences of all kinds, mainly in Europe and North America. My background in Drawing at the Alberta University of the Arts, coupled with my degree in English from the University of Manitoba, fuels my love for exploring and capturing images to share. I’ve been posting to Instagram since 2013 as @Where.To.Lady.

Look for my latest stories in print in and online at publishers like The Globe and Mail’s DreamScapes, Calgary Herald, canada.com, Travel Life magazine, NUVO, The Planet D, GoNOMAD and Family Fun Canada, where I am a contributing editor.  Additionally, I love to share my latest hotel reviews on The Informed Traveler podcast.

I am a proud member of SATW (Society of American Travel Writers) and a past chair of the Alberta and NWT chapter of TMAC (Travel Media Association of Canada).


“Debra is a true professional and a wonderful writer with a passion for her craft. Working with her was easy and enjoyable from the outset: she provides honest feedback, prompt responses and quality editorial. We would never hesitate to work with Debra again, she’s an absolute delight to host on press trips and a pleasure to work with from start to finish.” Laura Johnston – Fathom Communications

“Debra Smith has done excellent work for Northstar Travel Group, the leading provider of information, news and data for the travel and hospitality industry. She has updated destination guides and supplied hotel reviews for travel42, a subscription-based electronic directory of guides covering 6,000 destinations worldwide. Her unbiased voice and attention to detail in hotel inspections has been of great service to our readers, which include travel advisors and corporate travel planners throughout North America. We recommend her highly.” Anna Goodman – Senior Editor, travel42,  Northstar Travel Group

“I had the opportunity to escort Debra on a one week FAM trip to Cuba where we visited Havana, Varadero and the Vinales Valley. Debra was always prepared, professional and punctual – she was ready every morning with her camera, recording device and notebook. It was evident that Debra had done a fair amount of research ahead of her trip by the amount of knowledge she had on Cuba as well as the questions she posed to the tour guides of various museums and excursions. Debra was able to make the best of each experience including doing a full day catamaran ride in cold, heavy rain. Overall, I had a great time with Debra and would welcome her back on another FAM trip, should the opportunity arise.” – Rebecca Cohen, Jesson & Co

“I had the pleasure of meeting Debra on a press trip to Winnipeg a couple of years ago and have since had the great good fortune to work with her professionally. Debra delivers a compelling story filled with human interest, factual information and travel enticements that make the reader want to stop reading and actually GO to that spot. She meets her deadlines and turns in crisp, clean, accurate copy that needs little work on an editor’s part. And a real bonus for any editor — she’s easy to work with, open to suggestion and follows the parameters of style we ask for. Someone who actually reads the assignment letter is a treasure in my book.”  – Karen Eakins, former Features/Copy Editor, AAA’s Home & Away Magazine

“We hosted Debra on a press trip on behalf of the Rocky Mountaineer. She was a pleasure to work with, producing high-quality content supplemented by beautiful imagery. Debra is very professional and delivered all content in a timely manner. We look forward to working with her again.” – Izabela Leszko, Citizen Relations

Debra has been my editor for my book The Seventh Day. Her knowledge and input has been invaluable to me. I know without her I would not be able to put together such a complete story. I will continue to use her expertise on other projects I have planned. If you want a truly professional service with great results, hire Debra.” – Ian Shurville, Author