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: Clelia Mattana
Occupation: Full time Traveler and blogger
Hometown: Cagliari-Sardinia
Residence: I don’t have a fixed one
College: Environmental Science
College major: In Italy we have a different system. I have a degree in Marketing & Communication.
Website: keepcalmandtravel.com
Twitter: @KeepCalmkle
Facebook: Keep calm and Travel
Pinterest: Clelia-KeepCalmAndTravel
Google+: Clelia Mattana
Instagram: cleliakeepcalm
YouTube: Clelia Mattana
Short bio: Clelia is an Italian unconventional and self-ironic travel blogger who at age 35 quit a steady job at Burberry London, to follow her dream of traveling the world. She is a bit clumsy but she’s determined to see as many places as she can around the world. Coming from a beautiful island in Italy (Sardinia) she is passionate about anything related to the sea and one of her missions is to spread awareness about the conservation of the marine ecosystem. She is also obsessed with photography, and she keeps practicing and (buying bloody expensive equipment) in order to finally get the “perfect shot.” Stay tuned!
How often do you fly? My record has been 15 times in a month (last June). Usually I have an average of more than 50 flights per year (or more…I lost track!).
How many countries have you been to? I’m probably one of the few travelers that doesn’t keep the count, probably more than 35 and definitely not less than 30.
How many continents have you been to? Ok that’s easier! Three continents but I’m about to add the fourth (Africa!) hopefully very soon.
Earliest travel memory: My family was poor so I didn’t have the chance to travel at all until 16. From age 12 I started saving the money to buy my first flight to Torino in Northern Italy. I’ll never forget that vacation!
Favorite American city: New York.
Favorite international city: Rome (well it’s an international city for non-Italians after all!).
Least favorite country: Every country has fascinating thing to discover!
I have no desire to go to: There is no place in the world I wouldn’t visit.
Friendliest people in the world: Definitely the Filipinos!
Country with the meanest immigration officers: Probably Thailand.
Favorite World Heritage Site: Pamukkale natural pools in Turkey.
Favorite airline: Etihad Airlines.
Favorite aircraft type: 747.
Aisle or window: Window all my life!
Favorite airport lounge: I’ve never been in a lounge, I usually find a nice spot on the floor and create my own inexpensive lounge.
Favorite U.S. airport: JFK.
Favorite international airport: Abu Dhabi.
Favorite hotel: Cinnamon Red, Colombo—Sri Lanka.
Favorite cruise line: Never been on a cruise but I can’t wait to try!
Favorite travel credit card: I only have debit cards, they work just fine.
Favorite island: Siargao in the Philippines.
Favorite beach: Cala Mariolu in Sardinia.
Favorite fancy restaurant: Any restaurant with good Italian food is ok, I’m not picky.
Favorite bar: The Rooftop bar in Khaosan Road, Bangkok. They have great live music and cheap cocktails.
Favorite fruit: Avocados.
Favorite food: Italian pasta.
Least favorite food: Anything with chili, I’m allergic.
Drink of choice (in the air and on the ground): In the air orange juice, on the ground Long Island.
Favorite travel movie(s): The Motorcycle Diaries, Into the Wild, Thelma and Louise.
Favorite travel show(s): I don’t watch much TV.
Favorite travel book(s): “The Alchemist,” “A Fortune Teller Told Me” by Tiziano Terzani.
Right now I am reading: “How Not to Travel the World” by Lauren Juliff.
Top 3 favorite travel newsletters/magazines/blogs: National Geographic magazine is my top 1, then I read whatever is travel related and have good photos in it.
Favorite travel website(s)—besides JohnnyJet.com, of course! Wandering earl, Neverending Footsteps, Young Adventuress, Breakaway Backpacker.
5 things you bring on a plane: My Mac, a jacket, some snacks and water, a book, and all my photo equipment.
What do you always seem to forget? Nothing material, but I always forget the name of people I’ve just been introduced to.
What do you like least about travel? The jetlag.
What do you want your loved one to buy you from an airport Duty Free store? Anything related to photography. A case for my filters, a book about photography or a cool useful accessory for my camera.
Favorite travel app(s): World Clock. I love to know what time it is everywhere in the world, and the money converter.
Most embarrassing travel moment: Just one?! Well going to the bathroom in a house in the Philippines during a kids party. The bathroom was right next to the kitchen and had a one-meter wall, so anyone passing through there could see.
I’m embarrassed but I haven’t been to: Paris! Just a few hours away by train when I was living in London. Shame on me.
Worst travel moment: When I was robbed of 600 Euros on a night bus in Thailand and my debit cards were not working. Murphy’s Law.
What’s your dream destination? Poland, London and then probably Asia again or Africa (or both!).
Favorite travel charity: I don’t have a favorite, as long as they are legit they are all good.
Best travel tip: Don’t read too any travel guides before visiting a place, allow yourself to be surprised like a 4-year-old!