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: Rachel
Occupation: I’m lucky enough to work for an incentive company planning great incentive trips for Fortune 1000 companies. In addition, I run ZipSetGo.com with a great team where we share 20 years of travel experience with travel planners and enthusiasts that want to plan travel fast.
Hometown: Findlay, Ohio
Residence: A downtown loft in the Gem City.
Website: ZipSetGo.com
Twitter: @ZipsetRachel
Facebook: ZipSetGo
Pinterest: Zipsetgo
Short Bio: Rachel is a travel professional and enthusiast. She organizes #TNI – the original travel chat on twitter and has a passion for vegan eating. You can read more about her travels on ZipSetGo.com, a website that helps travelers plan travel fast.
How often do you fly: Not often enough certainly! I go on about 4 to 5 big trips a year.
How many countries have you been to: 15 or so now, 30 by 30?
How many continents have you been to: Four
Favorite American city: I adore San Francisco and Boston, but Chicago will always be my favorite.
Favorite international city: Florence, Italy
Least favorite country: El Salvador because of the government, not the people.
Favorite World Heritage Site: The Grand Canyon
Favorite airline: Delta
Favorite aircraft type: Corporate Jet – I know it’s an indulgence but there is really no competing with it!
Aisle or window: Window, I’m fond of napping until the wheels touch down.
Favorite airport lounge: I’m content with wifi and a coffee.
Favorite U.S. airport: DAY, my home airport, for the pure convenience.
Favorite international airport: Quito, Ecuador has quite an interesting airport, you land between mountains – it adds some excitement to the flight.
Favorite hotel: Picking just one property is tough – I love hotels. The Four Seasons, Costa Rica for a resort, Four Seasons Sydney, Australia for a city hotel. The Grand Velas properties in Mexico are all inclusive and really amazing as well.
Favorite cruise line: I’ve only been on one cruise, whose identity shall remain unnamed because my experience was pretty dismal. I would love to try a river cruise though.
Favorite island: St. John, USVI. It’s relatively easy to get to from the East coast and the views and beaches with crystal clear water are unmatched.
Favorite fancy restaurant: Karen’s on Green, Chicago, Illinois.
Favorite hole in the wall: Lucky’s – just a few blocks from my apartment.
Favorite fruit: Fresh Pineapple in Costa Rica
Favorite food: Italian/Thai/Indian
Least favorite food: Meat/Dairy/Eggs
Drink of choice (In the air and on the ground): Red Wine
Favorite travel movie(s): Paris, je t’aime, Amelie, and recently Midnight in Paris. Paris is such a magical setting, and so very photogenic.
Favorite travel show(s): I watch House Hunters International occasionally to dream about buying flats in exotic locations once I earn my millions. I also think I could win The Amazing Race with the right partner.
Favorite travel book(s): Dubliners by James Joyce and The Agony and the Ecstasy by Irving Stone are my two favorites.
Right now I am reading: I tend to read several things at once; just finished Outliers by Gladwell, and I’m in the middle of Anna Karenina by Tolstoy.
Five things you bring on a plane: Everything, I really try not to check any bags. I must admit I get my best reading done on planes, and always make sure to bring a large scarf that doubles as a blanket.
What do you always seem to forget: My phone charger – every time.
Favorite travel iPhone app(s): I have a blackberry, Verizon doesn’t have an international iPhone, so I just have the basic social apps like Facebook and twitter.
Most embarrassing/worst travel moment: Extreme altitude sickness on a public bus in Breckenridge…
What’s your dream destination: An African safari.
Best travel tip: Always take the first flight out, and remember that no one talks about the night they got a good night’s sleep.
