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: Masada Siegel
Occupation: Journalist/ Travel Writer/ Social Media Marketing Guru
Hometown: Scottsdale, Arizona/ NYC
Residence: Scottsdale, Arizona
Website: www.masadasiegel.com, www.masadasiegelauthor.com, fungirlcorrespondent.blogspot.com
Twitter: @Masadasiegel
Facebook: Masada Siegel
Short Bio: Masada Siegel just published her first novel, “Window Dressings” and is an international correspondent both on camera and off. Her broadcast stories have appeared on Yahoo News, Reuters, ITN and AOL news.
Masada also writes for The New York Times, The International Herald Tribune, The San Francisco Chronicle, Newsweek/The Daily Beast, The Jerusalem Post, The Toronto Star, SKI Magazine and about 40 other newspapers around the USA and Canada. She has been a featured guest speaker at the University of Southern California, Arizona State University and Women’s Symposiums.
She’s covered three National Conventions for CNN, rode in a Vice Presidential Motorcade, covered terrorism and general news for CNN, Fox News Channel and CBS News. She received her Masters degree from Columbia University in International Media and Communications with a focus on the Middle East and her Undergraduate degree from the University of Southern California also in International Relations and Communications.
How often do you fly: Every other week or so it seems
How many countries have you been to: 42 and counting
How many continents have you been to: 6
Favorite American city: NYC
Favorite international city: Tel Aviv, Queenstown, Paris, Rome…. Do I really have to pick???
Least favorite country: Anywhere where women are not treated equally to men
Favorite World Heritage Site: Masada, Israel
Favorite airline: Cathay Pacific
Favorite aircraft type: 747
Aisle or window: Aisle
Favorite airport lounge: Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong
Favorite U.S. airport: The one where they don’t give me a hard time…. So that is yet to be determined!
Favorite international airport: Copenhagen
Favorite hotel: Depends what city in the world…
Do you unpack into the dresser/closet? Or live out of your suitcase? Live out of suitcase
Favorite cruise line: To be determined, still many more to try!
Favorite island: New Zealand
Favorite fancy restaurant: Depends where I am- I know very evasive here…
Favorite hole in the wall: The one I found hiking a glacier in Alaska- (see photo)
Favorite fruit: Banana
Favorite food: Salads
Least favorite food: Anything that is still moving or any type of bugs
Drink of choice (In the air and on the ground) Sparkling Water or fresh juice
Five things you bring on a plane: Pen, Eye Mask, Chocolate, lipstick & cell phone
What do you always seem to forget: What month it is!!!
What do you want your loved one to buy you from an airport duty free store? Chocolate or Tea
Worst travel moment: My worst travel moment is when I got flaked on by someone who was going to travel with me, however, it turned into the best one because I decided to travel solo and met some of my best friends on the road. It also taught me powerful and wonderful lessons on how to be even more independent and how many wonderful people are on the planet.
What’s your dream destination: Any place that has beaches, water, hammocks, wild-life either with animals or great night clubs…
Best travel tip: If you are backpacking and staying in hostels, never go anywhere without your money belt and passport. Even if you are taking a shower- take it with you- don’t go anywhere without it.
If you are traveling alone, always be sure to trust your instincts, if someone you are talking to makes you nervous- or uncomfortable- then leave. Don’t worry about your stuff, don’t worry about anything- just get out of the situation.
Also, again if you are traveling solo, don’t drink. It sounds dull, but there is no one to watch for you- if something happens, so keep your wits about you.
