Anitra Brown Anitra Brown is a freelance writer who has specialized in spas, travel, and beauty for 20 years. A New York State licensed esthetician, Brown is one of the few spa writers to have actually worked in a spa as a therapist.She has served as a spa and wellness expert on the nominating panel for SpaFinder's Wellness Travel Awards.Brown has contributed to "1,000 Places to See Before You Die" and "1,000 Places to See in the United States and Canada Before You Die." Experience Anitra Brown is a former writer for TripSavvy, contributing articles on spa travel and treatments for more than 10 years. After years of writing about food and wine, Brown got a dream assignment to cover six overnight spas near Westchester County, New York, which took her to Canyon Ranch Lenox. After that experience, she switched her focus to writing and learning about the spa industry and earned an esthetics license.Brown has worked at some of the world's best spas, including The Spa at Mandarin Oriental New York, Alvadora Spa at Royal Palms in Phoenix, and The Emerson Resort & Spa in Mount Tremper, New York. Because of her hands-on experience working as a spa therapist, she knows what goes on at the back of the house, what to watch out for, and how to find great therapists. She has also traveled to many top spas around the world such as the Golden Door, Rancho La Puerta, Miraval, Canyon Ranch Tucson, Lake Austin Spa Resort, Mii Amo, and Red Mountain Spa Resort.She has contributed to magazines such as Spa Magazine, American Spa, Gourmet, New York, Robb Report, Westchester, and Hudson Valley. Brown is also a contributor to The New York Times-bestselling travel books "1,000 Places to See Before You Die," "1,000 Places to See in the United States and Canada Before You Die," and "1,000 Places to See Before You Die" wall calendar. Other credits include serving as a spa and wellness expert on the nominating panel for SpaFinder's Wellness Travel Awards, which is given to global properties that help travelers get and stay healthy. Education Brown holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Oklahoma. She completed 600 hours of study at Atelier Esthétique Institute of Esthetics in New York City before undergoing examination to become a New York State licensed esthetician. She is certified for Reiki Level 2 and has done postgraduate training at Atelier Esthétique Institute and The International Dermal Institute in New York City. Awards and Publications"1,000 Places to See Before You Die""1,000 Places to See in the United States and Canada Before You Die""1,000 Places To See Before You Die" wall calendar About TripSavvy and Dotdash Meredith TripSavvy, a Dotdash Meredith brand, is a travel site written by real experts, not anonymous reviewers. You’ll find that our 20-year-strong library of more than 30,000 articles will make you a savvy traveler—showing you how to book a hotel the whole family will love, where to find the best bagel in New York City, and how to skip the lines at theme parks. We give you the confidence to spend your vacation actually vacationing, not fumbling with a guidebook or second-guessing yourself. Learn more about us and our editorial guidelines.