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: Spud Hilton
Occupation: Travel Editor, SF Chronicle / Bad Latitude travel blog never leave home without.
Hometown: Leonia, N.J.
Residence: San Francisco
Website: Bad Latitude
Twitter: @SpudHilton
Facebook: Spud Hilton
YouTube: BadLatitudeTV
Short Bio: Spud Hilton is travel editor of the San Francisco Chronicle and the Bad Latitude travel blog. Since 2000, his attempts to divine the nature of places, from Havana to Kyoto to Modesto, have earned six Lowell Thomas Awards for travel writing and editing. He lives in San Francisco and plays cornet in a New Orleans-style Dixieland band.
How often do you fly: 1-3 times per month
How many countries have you been to: Not sure. 40+ probably
How many continents have you been to: 6
Favorite American city: New Orleans
Favorite international city: London
Least favorite country: Whatever country Nancy Grace is in.
Favorite World Heritage Site: Habana Vieja, Havana, Cuba
Favorite airline: Virgin America
Favorite aircraft type: P-38 Lightning
Aisle or window: Aisle
Favorite airport lounge: China Air at SFO is the only one I’ve ever been in.
Favorite U.S. airport: SFO (specifically Terminal 2)
Favorite international airport: Vancouver
Favorite hotel: W Taipei
Favorite cruise line: Royal Caribbean (large), Lindblad (small)
Favorite island: Taiwan
Favorite fancy restaurant: Commander’s Palace, New Orleans (yeah, I know it can be touristy, but lunchtime during the week is local business folks and society ladies — and 25 cent cocktails).
Favorite hole in the wall: Ebony Restaurant, Grenville, Grenada
Favorite fruit: Tangerines
Favorite food: Alan Wong’s toasted cheese sandwich (with mozzarella, Kalua pig and foie gras)
Least favorite food: A badly made Reuben sandwich
Drink of choice (In the air and on the ground): Red Bull + vodka in the air (I bring my own Red Bull); Negra Modelo with a lime on the ground
Favorite travel movie(s): Eurotrip (2004)
Favorite travel show(s): “No Reservations” with Anthony Bourdain
Favorite travel book(s): Anything by Tim Cahill
Right now I am reading: “The Geology of Pembrokeshire” (story research)
Five things you bring on a plane: Visine, Red Bull, Plattan headphones by Urban Ears, iPad 4G, toothbrush
What do you always seem to forget: To tell the bank I’m going overseas.
What do you want your loved one to buy you from an airport duty free store? An oversized Invicta watch
Favorite travel iPhone app(s): TripIt
Most embarrassing/worst travel moment: Forgot that I needed a passport for a flight to Vancouver, BC
What’s your dream destination: Dalmatian coast of Croatia
Favorite travel website(s) – besides JohnnyJet.com, of course!: World Hum, Las Vegas
Best travel tip: Never rush around to “see” everything in a destination. Spend half the time seeing the 2-3 things you really want to see, then find a public cafe or pub and relax while watching everyday life.
