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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.

Spud Hilton
Spud Hilton

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.

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