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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.

PHOTO Heidi Schumann
Ruzwana Bashir. PHOTO by Heidi Schumann

Name: Ruzwana Bashir 

Occupation: Founder and CEO of Peek.com

Hometown: England

Residence: San Francisco

Website: Peek.com

Twitter: @peek

Facebook: /Peek

Pinterest:  /Peektravel

Google+: /Peek

YouTube: /Peek

Short Bio: Ruzwana Bashir is Founder and CEO of Peek.com, the one-stop-shop to discover and book amazing activities. Whether it’s discovering an underground art scene, swimming with sharks or heading to a film festival, Peek connects people with everyday adventures that create lasting memories. Hidden gems come from “Perfect Day” itineraries from tastemakers such as Tory Burch, Wolfgang Puck, Diane von Furstenberg and Adrian Grenier.

How often do you fly:  Three times a month.

How many countries have you been to: 40

How many continents have you been to: 5

Favorite American city: New York

Favorite international city: Istanbul

Least favorite city: Brussels

Favorite World Heritage Site: Sukhothai, Thailand

Favorite aircraft type: Don’t care as long as it gets me there!

Aisle or window: Window

Favorite airport lounge: I always arrive at the airport in the nick of time so no lounge-hopping for me!

Favorite U.S. airport: SFO

Favorite international airport: London Heathrow

Favorite hotel: Gramercy Park Hotel

Do you unpack into the dresser/closet? Or live out of your suitcase? Live out of the suitcase.

Favorite cruise line: Never been on a cruise.

Favorite island: Zanzibar

Favorite fancy restaurant: The French Laundry in Napa Valley

Favorite hole in the wall: Ben’s Cookies in London

Favorite fruit: Mango

Favorite food: Sushi

Least favorite food: Red meat

Drink of choice (In the air and on the ground): Tea

Favorite travel movie(s): Midnight in Paris

Favorite travel show(s): Don’t watch television

Favorite travel book(s): The Road to Oxiana by Robert Byron.

Right now I am reading:
The New Digital Age by Jared Cohen and Eric Schmidt

Top 3 favorite travel newsletters/magazines/blogs:

  1. The Perrin Post
  2. Travel + Leisure
  3. National Geographic

Favorite travel website(s) – besides JohnnyJet.com, of course!: www.peek.com

Five things you bring on a plane:

  1. Cashmere blanket. Airplanes are always freezing, so this provides a respite from the cold air.
  2. Laptop. I take advantage of the lack of distractions to get some work done (and end up being my most productive).
  3. Josie Maran Argan Oil. To combat the inevitable dehydration.
  4. Smythson Travel Wallet. Perfect for your passport (necessary for a Brit!) and boarding pass.
  5. Neck pillow and eye mask: I often take red eyes so these end up being lifesavers.

What do you always seem to forget: My toothbrush

What do you want your loved one to buy you from an airport duty free store? A box of Maltesers.

Favorite travel app(s): Peek

Most embarrassing travel moment: Being exhausted on a flight and repeatedly falling asleep onto someone who couldn’t have been less happy about it.

Worst travel moment: Arriving in Tehran with little cash, and realizing that I couldn’t withdraw money from the ATMs and that my Western credit cards wouldn’t work there.

What’s your dream destination: The Okavanga Delta in Botswana for a safari.

Favorite travel charity: Charity Water

Best travel tip: Take redeyes. They’re not much fun, but you will appreciate all the time you’re saving! Eat well beforehand and don’t get lured in by the movies. If it’s a six-hour flight or shorter, try to get an early check-in at your hotel and take a nap before starting the day.

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