Deston Nokes Deston Nokes was raised traveling the world and never lost the bug. For three decades, he has been based in Portland, serving as a travel writer for a variety of regional and national travel clients. Deston enjoys the personalities and cultural treasures found in common and unusual destinations. Rather than just listing things to see and do, he enjoys sharing the points of view of the folks who live in or visit a destination. 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