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.

Cali Lewis

Name: Cali Lewis

Occupation: Full Time Technology Lover! I host GeekBeat.TV, am the President of our Production Company, Livid Lobster, and I contribute to BBC Click as well as other tech segments on FOX, CNN, and ABC.

Residence: Dallas, Texas

Website: GeekBeat TV and Livid Lobster

Twitter: @CaliLewis

Facebook: Cali Lewis

Short Bio: An early podcasting pioneer, Cali Lewis began covering tech news online immediately after the release of the first video iPod. She knew it was revolutionary, and expected people would need content for the new format. That’s exactly what happened! Cali Lewis has become a household name in the tech industry and her podcasts have been viewed hundreds of millions of times in the last five years. She’s also a noted industry commentator with regular appearances on BBC, CNN, FOX, ABC, NBC, MSNBC, Sirius, and as both a keynote speaker and panel participant at industry events.

How often do you fly: I’m on the road about 70% of my time. But, while that means I can’t have a dog, I really can’t complain…I get to so many amazing things while traveling! Like jump out of airplanes with the US Army Golden Knights (Watch here). Fly brand new planes and airline routes (Watch here). See how WiFi is installed in new planes. Drive yet unreleased cars (Watch here). Spend a week in Australia at the request of the Tourism agency. And so much more. John P, the rest of the team, and I are very lucky!

How many countries have you been to: (Rough estimate if you aren’t sure) 6 countries – Not as many as I’d like! :)

How many continents have you been to: 4

Favorite airline: All Nippon Airways – their service is fantastic!

Favorite aircraft type: 787 Dreamliner. Of course, I may be biased, since we got to fly and film in one of the first ones out there. :)

Aisle or window: Window if I’m with someone I know (that way I don’t feel bad about making them get up if I need to go to the restroom!). Otherwise, Aisle. But I still never get tired of looking out the window. The Earth is a fascinating place!

Favorite U.S. airport: Any one that has WiFi! Actually, the DFW International Terminal is pretty awesome. But it’s also a very complicated and large airport as a whole.

Favorite international airport: I guess I’ve enjoyed London Heathrow the most.

Favorite hotel: I stay at so many different hotels and I rarely stay at the same one twice (hard to acquire points this way!)… so it’s a hard question to answer. But as a boutique chain, I think Kimpton Hotels do a fantastic job.

Favorite food: I can’t say no to Chicken Picatta! Or Mac ‘n Cheese, actually…

Least favorite food: Hominy. Bad, bad childhood memories… *shudder*

Five things you bring on a plane: Computer, Tablet, MyCharge, Monster PowerToGo Outlet – perfect for hotel rooms.

What do you always seem to forget: You know what, I’ve gotten my packing habits down so well that I rarely forget anything! And now I’m sure I’ve jinxed myself.

Favorite travel iPhone app(s): Google Calendar: it’s not really an app per say, but I have a shortcut on my homescreen. Because I share travel information with my team members, I have a very controlled system of appointments and flight information, etc. I know I should probably use TripIt, but with my way, it’s all in one place! GroupMe: The main way I communicate with team members when we travel together (to make sure we know where everyone is or what’s happening). Even when cell service is sketchy, GroupMe always works. American Airlines App: I mostly travel American Airlines because of my status with them. Regardless of what airline you use, having their app is SO helpful! Spotify: At home I use both Pandora and Spotify, but for travel, I always make sure my Offline mode is set on Spotify so I can listen to my music anytime, anywhere, even when I have no internet connection. Damn You Auto Correct: Instead of playing Angry Birds when I’m bored or having a bad travel day, I have to admit, I look at the DYAC app to boost my mood.

Most embarrassing/worst travel moment: Coming back from Brisbane, Australia, I was really sick. Not good on a 15 hour flight! I couldn’t sleep. I couldn’t concentrate on books. I couldn’t even concentrate on movies. It was a pretty miserable day. I’m sad to say that I was in such bad shape that I don’t even remember the stopover at the Sydney airport. I guess I’ll have to visit it separately! :)

What’s your dream destination: I want to go everywhere! :) But, if I have to prioritize, given my Italian heritage, I can’t wait to go to Italy! My family’s from Casino, south of Rome, so I will definitely be going there as soon as I can.Outside of Italy, I want to visit Scotland and my business partner, John P, keeps telling me how amazing Santorini, Greece is.

Best travel tip: Have fun! I used to be such a planner. I needed to know every detail of every minute in advance. You can travel that way, but I find you get so much more out of the experience by just going with the flow, and taking things as they come. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or directions from the locals. But most importantly… bring an extra battery pack!! I suggest one of two things (or both) from a company I love called Powerbag: 1. A Powerbag backpack: This is a backpack with a battery BUILT IN! There are cables routed through the bag to charge your iPhone or Android phone or other devices while you’re on the go. 2. MyCharge: Or you could go with a MyCharge, which is a portable battery pack that lets you charge 3 different devices AT ONCE! And no, they don’t pay me – I just really love their products! :)

2 Comments On "Travel Style: Cali Lewis"
  1. Christopher (@too_question)|

    Entertaining article thanks Cali for taking the time to do this for the users/readers that you have.

    Well not sure why you have not visited the places you love or dream of, after having some life experiences that has happened to me throughout my life. I know that none of us know the future and decided a long time go ago some day that I will be self employed. Thankful to be that my wife joined the company first and I will join up later.

    So before you get to a certain age and say you do not want to travel any more. Or before your employers or readers or users any of those unknown factors kick-in and change things for you. Full fill your dreams and never let dream stealers ruin things for you.

    Some general sharing that I am doing and back to your article did find it interesting that you want to go to Italy; so do I and been told by Italians that i am a great cook of Italian foods. Ironically never been trained and I am not Italian either, however I am getting compliments from people born and raised in Italy that had visited Texas.

    Nice getting to see them install WiFi into planes seen that myself. However did not get to see the 787 Dreamliner (nice name reminds me of many things) along with flying and filming inside of one.

    Had me laughing about the hominy which I did not have any bad experiences with and like it. I do miss Dr. Pepper, Braum’s Milk Shakes, Chic-fil-a Combo #1, and eating pizza.

    After being in the USA until meeting my wife then she sparked the traveling in me to go Internationally which spans about 11 countries. I had already been to several states within American. So thank you again for sharing it is so nice to hear some one else talking about traveling and reminds me of why I chose to travel for sharing more memories with family and friends and even new friends. Along with building more memories with them too!

    Like the comments about you like their products and not getting paid to say it. Had me laughing and many of us talk about products and do not get paid for it. Shame too since we are the ones telling our friends and family whom trust us that it is good go buy it.

    Your welcome to Follow me on Tweeter any time it would be nice to talk with you and of course you can check out the link to my wife’s page and see what she is getting paid to do. Always a great when you can travel when, where, and often as you want to while getting paid to do it.

    Perhaps some day I will see you on a plane and we can have a chat there or at an airport.

    Tweeter: too_question

  2. Marian Goldberg|

    Hi Cali, I hope you read this. I was fascinated that you love ANA. I was actually the PR Manager for Japan for 11 years, and I now represent the city of Kyoto. I would love to get in touch with you. Hopefully Johnny will introduce us. Marian Goldberg — @mariangoldberg

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