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: Piotr Kulczycki
Occupation: Travel Photographer and Managing Director
Hometown: Poznań, Poland
Residence: Poland
College: Poznań University of Economics
College major: Management
Website: worldinmylens.com
Twitter: @pkulczycki
Facebook: worldinmylens
Pinterest: Piotr Kulczycki – worldinmylens
Instagram: pkulczycki
Short bio: I live in Poznan, where I run my web design agency: Crafton.eu. I have been taking pictures since childhood. Ten years ago when I bought my first DSLR, photography became a very important part of my life. I tend to spend all my free time traveling. I love the stunning architecture of Istanbul and the tidy countryside landscape of England as well as the modern metropolitan area of New York. But still my favorite places are: New Zealand, Iceland and Nepal. I hope I will have a chance to come back and see these amazing places soon.
How often do you fly? I make at least four trips a year. I travel during Xmas break, early May, mid-August, and one short company trip in the middle of November.
How many countries have you been to? 82
How many continents have you been to? 6
Earliest travel memory: When I was a child I traveled with my parents every summer. We visited a different city each year. Then when I started university I went to the States for four months. This was a start of my travel photography journey.
Favorite American city: Definitely New York. I felt like I was in the capital of the world.
Favorite international city: Reykjavik—but I might not be objective. I spent a half-year studying at Reykjavík University. Good times!
Least favorite country: Kosovo—I would say that two hours is more then enough to see all sights in capital Pristina.
Friendliest people in the world: I met the friendliest people in Bangladesh and Myanmar. I think these countries are not spoiled by hordes of tourists. It makes people living there very genuine and friendly.
Country with the meanest immigration officers: Jordan—maybe the problem was that I used border crossing between Israel and Jordan in the middle of the night. Horrible experience.
Favorite World Heritage Site: I visited Machu Picchu earlier this year. I have to admit visiting Machu Picchu has always been on my top list places I want to visit in my life. And definitely the trip to Peru fulfilled my expectations. This 15th-century Inca site is one of the New 7 Wonders of the World and it’s truly a breathtaking place. I would even say that this is the most memorable sight I have been to.
Favorite airline: Hong Kong Airlines because they upgraded my ticket to business class when I was flaying to Taipei.
Favorite aircraft type: Cirrus Aircraft, because this is my client ;-)
Aisle or window: Definitely window!
Favorite airport lounge: I don’t use lounges while traveling.
Favorite U.S. airport: I don’t have any favorite airport in the US to be honest.
Favorite international airport: I really like Singapore Changi airport. In Europe I enjoy Munich airport, because they serve free tea and coffee…
Favorite hotel: I spent a memorable night in ITC Mughal in Agra. It was New Year’s Eve back in 2011. On that night I proposed to my wife ;-)
Favorite cruise line: I’ve only used Carnival. I spent my honeymoon on Carnival Liberty in the Caribbean. It was an amazing trip!
Favorite travel credit card: I try to use cash.
Favorite island: I would say Iceland.
Favorite beach: Magens Bay in the US Virgin Islands.
Favorite fancy restaurant: I don’t go to fancy restaurants while traveling. There are better ways to spend your money while traveling.
Favorite hole-in-the-wall: There are many of them in Southeast Asia, particularly in Vietnam, but I can’t name any…
Favorite bar: I don’t have any. I usually go to places where locals drink. Every time a different one.
Favorite fruit: Bananas, especially these in Sri Lanka.
Favorite food: Sushi, Pho soup and all sorts of Indian vegetarian dishes.
Least favorite food: Pig’s ear in Vilnius and hákarl (rotten shark) in Reykjavik.
Drink of choice (in the air and on the ground): While traveling I try a beer in every country I visit. I particularly enjoy German beers from local, small breweries.
Favorite travel movie(s): Into the Wild—because I love Alaska.
Favorite travel show(s): I listen to Amateur Traveler Podcast by Chris Christensen.
Favorite travel book(s): I only read travel guides. The best ones are from Eyewitness Books.
Right now I am reading: Australia Eyewitness Travel Guide—preparing for my next trip.
Top 3 favorite travel newsletters/magazines/blogs: nomadicmatt.com, expertvagabond.com, stuckincustoms.com.
Favorite travel website(s)—besides JohnnyJet.com, of course! Of course my own (worldinmylens.com). I’m also working on an interesting new project: photler.com. More details soon.
5 things you bring on a plane: iPad mini with some audiobooks on it and noise-canceling headphones. That’s all I need.
What do you always seem to forget? Toothpaste ;-)
What do you like least about travel? Spending long hours in the airports. Sometimes it’s 30-40 hours between I left my home and arrive to the destination… But this is how you can get the cheapest airfares. You trade your time for money.
What do you want your loved one to buy you from an airport Duty Free store? I don’t shop in airport Duty Free stores, so no need to get anything from there.
Favorite travel app(s): Definitely TripAdvisor app and Instagram app.
Most embarrassing travel moment: Can I keep it to myself? ;-)
I’m embarrassed but I haven’t been to: Japan yet…
Worst travel moment: When I have some serious stomach problems in Jaffa, Israel and there was no toilet available ;-). I’m sure it happened to every traveler at some point.
What’s your dream destination? Fiji, so far and so pristine. And Antarctica—unfortunately it’s so far from Europe and expensive to get there. But it’s on top of my bucket list.
Favorite travel charity: Charity: Water and UNICEF.
Best travel tip: I’m a travel photographer, so my tip would be about travel photography: Enjoy taking travel pictures! Process is more important than the outcome. Keep shooting, even if you are not happy with your final photos. Take photos, even if nobody publishes your work. Keep shooting, even if you are getting bad comments on social media. You will eventually get there. What’s important is that you enjoy the process.
This is one of the tips I’ve got in my free travel photography e-book. Please feel free to download: photler.com/ebook