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.

David Steward
David Steward

Name: David Steward

Occupation: CEO ShermansTravel & Publisher of ShermansCruise

Hometown: Orange, TX

Residence: New York City and East Hampton, NY

College: Cornell University, University of Chicago (Grad)

College major: BS Psychology, MBA Finance & Marketing

Website: shermanscruise.com & shermanstravel.com

Twitter: @ShermansTravel & @ShermansCruise

Facebook: ShermansTravel & ShermansCruise

Pinterest: ShermansTravel & ShermansCruise

Instagram: shermanstravel & shermanscruise

YouTube: Shermans Cruise

Short bio: David H. Steward is a leader in brand-building and turnaround across multiple platforms, including digital marketing and content, e-commerce and traditional media. He currently serves as CEO of ShermansTravel Media, a leading online and mobile publisher of top travel deals and advice for value-oriented travelers. He is also excited to lead the launch of ShermansCruise, a new editorial and deals site that is targeted to travelers who are interested in cruising.

Prior to ShermansTravel, Steward served as CEO of F+W Media, a $200M private-equity backed niche consumer media and e-commerce company. Earlier in his career he led a dramatic turnaround of a $200M direct marketer and was instrumental in building and redeveloping three of America’s top media brands: People Magazine, Martha Stewart Living (as COO) and TV Guide (as CEO). His leadership, analytical, financial and creative skills propelled these brands into profitable new directions.

Steward has been honored by Advertising Age as one of their “Marketing 100” and by the American Advertising Federation with the Advertising Hall of Achievement Award. Steward holds an M.B.A. in Finance and Marketing from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business and a B.A. from Cornell University. He lives in New York City and East Hampton, but is happiest when traveling—both nearby and far away.

How often do you fly? A couple of times a month.

How many countries have you been to? 42 and counting.

How many continents have you been to? 6

Earliest travel memory: Roadtrip with my brothers and sister in the back of my parents’ station wagon.

Favorite American city: New York. It’s been my home for the last 30+ years and has the most amazing collection of people who also call it home.

Favorite international city: A hard call. My heart votes for Paris, my stomach votes for Lyon and my soul votes for Chiang Mai.

Least favorite country: Haven’t found one yet, but I haven’t seen anything attractive about North Korea.

I have no desire to go to: North Korea.

Friendliest people in the world: Balinese. We were in Bali during the terrorist attack in October 2002 and the Balinese were so lovely.

Country with the meanest immigration officers: Bahamas.

Favorite World Heritage Site: Angkor Wat and nearby temples.

Favorite airline: Still looking…

Favorite aircraft type: Pilatus (it’s better to fly private!).

Aisle or window: Aisle, though I like a window when I am sleeping.

Favorite airport lounge: Original Concorde lounge. British Airways. JFK.

Favorite U.S. airport: Saarinen’s TWA terminal, JFK.

Favorite international airport: Any of the new terminals in China—Shanghai, Beijing, Chongqing etc.

Favorite hotel: Begawan Giri (now COMO Shambhala Estate), Ubud, Bali.

Favorite cruise line: Still sampling!

Favorite travel credit card: Amex Platinum.

Favorite island: St Barths—the epitome of relaxed chic!

Favorite beach: Flammandes, St. Barths.

Favorite fancy restaurant: Maison Troisgros, a dining revelation!

Favorite hole-in-the-wall: Clam Bar, Napeague.

Favorite bar: Lindt dark chocolate with a touch of sea salt (I’m not a drinker).

Favorite fruit: Fresh organic strawberries grown by my partner, Pierre.

Favorite food: Anything unexpected and innovative from the kitchen of a chef. Love to be surprised and delighted.

Least favorite food: Overcooked meat and vegetables.

Drink of choice (in the air and on the ground): Sparkling water with a splash of cranberry or a good cup of coffee.

Favorite travel movie(s): The James Bond films. I’ve been watching them in chronological order and there are so many great locales.

Favorite travel show(s): Parts Unknown. Anthony Bourdain just inhales the cities he visits.

Favorite travel book(s): I love to read a book about where I am next traveling to so most recently that was “Empire’s Crossroads.” But I also just finished a couple of Burma titles for an upcoming trip at the end of 2016.

Right now I am reading: Cruising and Cruise Ships 2015. (Still learning!)

Top 3 favorite travel newsletters/magazines/blogs: Afar, CN Traveler, Travel & Leisure.

Favorite travel website(s)—besides JohnnyJet.com, of course! ShermansCruise, ShermansTravel and GoSeek.com.

5 things you bring on a plane: Battery backup for my iPad and iPhone, Bose noise-cancelling headphones, carrots, almonds and fruit to snack on, plus a couple of movies from iTunes store.

What do you always seem to forget? To pack light!

What do you like least about travel? Connecting flights.

What do you want your loved one to buy you from an airport Duty Free store? Cashmere scarf.

Favorite travel app(s): WhereTo, Waze, Google Maps, Kindle, Yelp!, Uber.

Most embarrassing travel moment: See worst travel moment below.

I’m embarrassed but I haven’t been to: Berlin.

Worst travel moment: Arriving at El Al JFK for a trip to Tel Aviv with a cancelled passport.

What’s your dream destination? Everest Base Camp.

Favorite travel charity: Nature Conservancy—Offset your Carbon Footprint. A nice way to help offset the impact on travel on the environment and five metric tons is only $75.

Best travel tip: Rimowa luggage—buy it! It’s so light and strong and holds so much.

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