Over the past few months, OneTravel writer Diana Edelman has spent time getting to know some of Sin City's most interesting personalities in our weekly Las Vegas File. This week, Diana chats with editor-in-chief of VEGAS Magazine, Abby Tegnelia.

For VEGAS magazine editor, Abby Tegnelia, life has been one of near constant travel.

She has moved a lot in her life: from Virginia as a child (the editor lived in three different cities in the state) to Orlando for middle school,  to Albuquerque, NM for the second part of high school, and then back to Florida to attend the University of Miami,  Tegnelia was used to picking up and going places.

She began her reporting career in New York City as a reporter for New York Magazine. From there, she went to US Weekly as a celeb reporter, traipsing the globe to get the celeb scoop.

In 2006, work as the Las Vegas editor for In Touch landed Tegnelia a gig in Sin City. She's been here on and off ever since— largely as an editor for Vegas-centric popular magazines.

In 2009, Tegnelia traded the charmed life to live in a barrio in the tiny beach town of Coco, Costa Rica. She started a popular blog documenting her time as an ex-pat, TheJunglePrincess.com.

Then, a year later, Las Vegas came calling again, this time she returned to serve as editor for VEGAS.

You have been editor of VEGAS Magazine for one year, and have been in the industry for a lot longer. What do you enjoy most about editing one of the most recognized Vegas-related publications in the world? How does it differ from other publications you have worked with?

Abby Tegnelia: I love how much I get to learn about my city! As editor of Vegas, I have to be on top of the downtown galleries, know what’s going on in nightlife and be well-versed in our town’s philanthropy events and players. It’s hard, but very rewarding as well.

When you aren't hard at work editing the magazine, where can people find you?

Tegnelia: You can’t! My duties at Vegas keep me very busy, editing all day and attending events at night. When I’m off, I like to stay home and relax with my two dogs.

There are so many great places to visit nearby Las Vegas. Where are some places you like to explore when you aren't attending events or at work?
 
Tegnelia: Napa! I can’t believe how easy it is to get there. I find it to be the perfect getaway from Las Vegas, because it’s so relaxing. Plus, you get to spend a lot of time outdoors. I recently took a helicopter tour with Heli USA through the Grand Canyon and spent the night at the Grand Canyon Ranch. That felt a million miles away, although the trip was less than an hour. The quiet was incredible.

You lived as an ex-pat for a year in Costa Rica. Obviously, Las Vegas and CR are totally different. What are some things you missed about Las Vegas when you were living in Central America? What are some things you miss about CR now?

Tegnelia: When I was there, I missed my friends and my peers. And I actually missed working! Now that I’m back, I miss not having every minute of every day scheduled, and the resultant good night’s sleeps. I also really enjoyed being outdoors all the time.

When people come to town, where is one of the first places you take them?

Tegnelia: I am famous for dragging people to the Big Shot on top of the Stratosphere. It’s so fun! Now I send people to the Cosmopolitan, too. It’s so exciting there.

Off-Strip, where do you like to spend your time?

Tegnelia: I think the key to surviving a busy city schedule is to be as “normal” as you can during down time. I live in Green Valley, so I’m a regular at Whole Foods and Cheesecake Factory. I sometimes meet friends at PF Changs, or even the restaurants inside Green Valley Ranch.

What are some of the best things about Las Vegas?

Tegnelia: My favorite thing is the cost of living! After spending five years in NYC and a year in LA, I will never take Vegas’ reasonable costs for granted ever again.

You also write a blog about your life, which started during your time in CR. What can readers expect from it now that you are editor of VEGAS?

Tegnelia: I tried to keep it up as a travel blog, because those are the circles I’m in online. But to my surprise, people keep asking to see and read more about Vegas. So I’ll be writing more about my everyday life. I hope people like it!

I love Las Vegas because ...

Tegnelia: It’s been very good to me! I can’t imagine living anywhere else.

Ready to explore Sin City for yourself? Check out OneTravel's cheap flights to Las Vegas. As a thanks for reading our blog, use Coupon Code SM17 for up to $17 instantly!