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: Jason Gordon
Occupation: Executive Producer: andiamo! UPTOWN (airing on Magic Johnson’s Aspire Network)/Premium In-flight Expert: UPTOWN magazine/Luxury Travel Expert: OTGjason
Hometown: Southern California
Residence: Southern California
Website: andiamo.tv
Twitter: @iproducetv & @JasonFlies
Instagram: therealjollygiant & jasonflies
YouTube: andiamoTV & On The Go with Jason
Short bio: Jason Gordon started his career in television production at the age of 15. Even at that age, those he worked with took immediate notice to his professionalism, creativity, keen eye to detail, and eagerness to innovate. Jason’s career in television & film has included successful stints in a wide variety of production positions with many established broadcast entities, including: ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX. Today, Jason is an accomplished multiple award-winning Film/TV Producer, Director and Entertainment Executive who continues to develop and produce numerous projects in both the scripted and non-scripted arenas. His invaluable expertise helped bring the motion picture Cinema Is Everywhere (featuring Academy Award-winning actress Tilda Swinton) to the widescreen and he also received his first major international credit for co-creating the critically-acclaimed and redemptive docu-series The Mistress, which airs on Lifetime Canada.
Jason was exposed to travel at an early age and such wonderful experiences has shaped his thoughtful worldview. Combine his passion for travel with his keen production sensibilities, and you’re able to understand his vision for great travel experiences though the award-winning luxury/adventure travel series, andiamo! UPTOWN, which he produces (airing weekly on Magic Johnson’s Aspire Network). In addition, to the travel series, Jason also writes premium in-flight features for UPTOWN magazine—and recently, Jason expanded his luxury travel insight efforts through “OTGjason” (On The Go w/ Jason), which highlights luxury travel from the big & tall perspective.
How often do you fly? As often as possible (monthly).
How many countries have you been to? 42
How many continents have you been to? 5
Earliest travel memory: Road trip with my parents to Santa Barbara, California.
Favorite American city: Boston and Newton, Massachusetts.
Favorite international city: Interlaken (Switzerland), Singapore, Dubai and Koh Samui (Thailand).
Least favorite country: Seville, Spain
Friendliest people in the world: Canada.
Country with the meanest immigration officers: Jamaica.
Favorite World Heritage Site: The Historic District of Old Québec (the fortified city) and Espiritu Santo (La Paz, Mexico).
Favorite airline: SWISS & EVA Air.
Favorite aircraft type: 777-300 ER/A380.
Aisle or window: Window.
Favorite airport lounge: SWISS First & Business lounges in Zurich.
Favorite U.S. airport: Denver International Airport.
Favorite international airport: Singapore Changi Airport.
Favorite hotel: Simpson House Inn (Santa Barbara, California), Paresa Resort (near Phuket, Thailand) and the Four Seasons Koh Samui Resort (Thailand).
Favorite cruise line: Disney Cruise Line.
Favorite travel credit card: Chase Platinum Visa.
Favorite island: Huahine & Bora Bora (Tahiti) and Barbados.
Favorite National Park: Jasper National Park.
Favorite fancy restaurant: Evita’s Jam-Italian Restaurant (Ocho Rios, Jamaica), Bouchon (Santa Barbara), Zunfthaus zur Waag (Zurich, Switzerland), Taberna del Alabadero (Seville, Spain).
Favorite hole-in-the-wall: The Fisherman’s Outlet (Downtown L.A.).
Favorite fruit: Pineapple.
Favorite food: Roasted duck in red curry.
Least favorite food: ANY kind of melons and durian.
Drink of choice (in the air and on the ground): Iced tea.
Favorite travel movie(s): Anything 007 and Jason Bourne, the original Pink Panther, Rat Race, Bridesmaids.
Favorite travel show(s): andiamo! UPTOWN ;-)
Favorite travel book(s): “Wanderlust” (by Mark Edward Harris).
Right now I am reading: “Grief Relief” (by Keaver Brenai) and “Front & Center” (by Carlton Wilborn).
5 things you bring on a plane: iPhones, bottled water, cookies, USB charger, and antibacterial wipes (hand and surface).
What do you always seem to forget? Not much these days. I have a list of things I should pack and I doublecheck days prior to travel.
What do you like least about travel? Witnessing rude tourist manners & behavior—especially when it’s Americans.
Favorite travel app(s): FlightAware & FlightRadar24.
Most embarrassing travel moment: Upon sitting down in a plastic outdoor chair, I turned the wrong way and the chair snapped (sounding like a small gun firing) and broke. This happened in Thailand in 2010 while attending a travel luncheon; I still have a piece of the shrapnel which sits with my travel mementos.
I’m embarrassed I haven’t been to: Seattle.
Worst travel moment: Missing a flight to New York in 2006 (ran late due to working a very long day in the office; ended being booked on a flight that included a change of planes in ATL—my original flight was a non-stop—and I ended up being on a full flight and in a horrible seat.
What’s your dream destination? Visiting the Maldives.
Best travel tip: Take one day and pack everything at least one week prior to commencing any journey—this way you avoid any rushing on the day of travel and you can be as rested as possible. Of course, having ample clothing and redundancies for personal items is required for this to work.