Want to know how to travel in style, just like the pros? We check in with frequent fliers to find out how often they fly, their favorite destinations and what they never leave home without.
Name: Benny Lewis
Occupation: Writer
Hometown: Cavan, Ireland
Residence: Always changing; Berlin until June 2013
Website: http://www.fluentin3months.com
Twitter: @irishpolyglot
Facebook: facebook.com/fluentin3months
Pinterest: irishpolyglot
YouTube: irishpolyglot
Short Bio: Electronic engineer turned travel hacker. On the road for 10 years learning the world’s languages and writing about it to encourage adult monolinguals that they too can learn other languages.
How often do you fly: About once every 2 months
How many countries have you been to: Over 50
How many continents have you been to: 5
Favorite American city: Portland, Oregon
Favorite international city: Berlin, Germany
Aisle or window: Window
Do you unpack into the dresser/closet? Or live out of your suitcase?: Suitcase
Favorite island: Florianopolis
Favorite food: Burrito
Drink of choice (In the air and on the ground): Mocktail
Top 3 favorite travel newsletters/magazines/blogs: Nomadicmatt.com, neverendingvoyage.com, matadornetwork
Favorite travel website(s) – besides JohnnyJet.com, of course!: tripadvisor.com, skyscanner.net, wikivoyage.org, happycow.net,
Five things you bring on a plane: Everything I own in the world
What do you always seem to forget: Umbrella. I always have a small one that I can travel with, and yet I’ve bought at least 20 of them because I keep leaving them somewhere!
What do you want your loved one to buy you from an airport duty free store? Nothing. Always better to spend money outside of the airport.
Favorite travel iPhone app(s): Do people still use iPhones? Get an Android! Tripit, Google Maps, FlightTrack Pro, Airbnb, and location specific apps such as Öffni Directions in Germany (Google doesn’t take most public transport into consideration here, so this is essential to get around Berlin. Apple fanboys can’t access it though.)
Most embarrassing travel moment: Getting detained by the Federal Police in Brazil
Worst travel moment: Running out of money and sleeping outside on a rock with no sleeping bag in Italy (great learning experience though)
Best travel tip: Learn the local language. English speaking tourists only see a fraction of the country by restricting themselves to only the university educated rich locals. People are the best reason of all to travel, so make spending time with others rather than sightseeing, to be your biggest priority.