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: Tamara Gruber
Occupation: Travel Blogger, Podcaster and Marketing Consultant
Hometown: Robbinsville, NJ
Residence: Providence, RI
College: Rowan University, NJ (BS), LaSalle University, Philadelphia (MBA)
College major: Business administration with a specialization in Marketing for both undergrad and grad
Website: We3Travel and Vacation Mavens
Twitter: @tgruber
Facebook: We3Travel
Instagram: we3travel
Pinterest: We3Travel
YouTube: We3Travel
Short bio: Tamara likes to juggle her many roles as travel blogger, podcaster, Virtuoso Travel Advisor, marketing consultant and mom. Her overarching goal is to make it easier for families to plan their next vacation. She is also a passionate advocate for the benefits of travel in raising flexible, resilient, and globally-aware children. As a master planner, she shares her experiences on We3Travel, a family travel blog that makes family vacation planning easier with destination information, reviews, tips and travel planning services. She is also the co-founder and co-host of Vacation Mavens, a family travel podcast featuring weekly interviews with destination specialists and family travel experts to inspire family travel and offer travel tips to get you out the door. Tamara and her family of three enjoy road trips, cultural exploring, outdoor adventures and good food.
How often do you fly? Once or twice a month.
How many countries have you been to? About 20.
How many continents have you been to? Four.
Earliest travel memory: We didn’t travel much as a kid so my first flight was when I was 16 and traveled to Mexico with my Spanish class.
Favorite American city: New York City, I lived there for a few years and nothing is quite like NY, although San Francisco is probably my runner-up.
Favorite international city: Rome—I’m always shocked by people that don’t like Rome. I can’t get enough of the chaotic mix of ancient and modern and love stumbling on ruins or beautiful fountains in piazzas around every corner.
I have no desire to go to: North Korea—just about everything else is up for grabs.
Friendliest people in the world: Italy.
Country with the meanest immigration officers: Not mean but I’ve been questioned the most crossing the border into Canada. You need to be very careful if you a visiting for business because they want to protect Canadian jobs.
Favorite World Heritage Site: Historical center of Vienna.
Favorite airline: Icelandair.
Aisle or window: Definitely a window for an overnight flight and aisle if I have a close connection or expect I’ll need to use the restroom.
Favorite airport lounge: Lufthansa’s new lounge at Boston Logan airport.
Favorite U.S. airport: My home airport of Providence, RI because there is no traffic, parking is cheap, services are good and it is fairly hassle-free.
Favorite international airport: Heathrow—sounds crazy but I seem to have long layovers there and I enjoy all the food and shopping options.
Favorite hotel: Hotel Scalinatella in Capri, Italy. Their service and food is unlike any other where we have stayed.
Favorite cruise line: I’m not a cruiser but I’m eager to try AMA Waterways and their family options.
Favorite travel credit card: Capital One Venture.
Favorite island: Huahine, French Polynesia.
Favorite beach: Orange Beach, Alabama.
Favorite National Park: Crater Lake, Oregon.
Favorite fancy restaurant: Daniel in NYC.
Favorite airport restaurant: Wagamama in Heathrow.
Favorite fruit: Mango.
Favorite food: Truffle fries.
Least favorite food: Celery.
Drink of choice (in the air and on the ground): Cabernet Franc.
Favorite travel movie(s): Motorcycle Diaries.
Favorite travel book(s): “A Walk in the Woods.”
Right now I am reading: Yellow Street, a book recommended by our tour guide on our Jewish tour of Vienna.
Top 3 favorite travel newsletters/magazines/blogs: The World is a Book, Kids are a Trip, and Stuffed Suitcase.
Favorite travel website(s)—besides JohnnyJet.com, of course! Lonely Planet Pathfinders.
5 things you bring on a plane: Socks, water, noise cancelling headphones, moisturizer, sweater.
What do you always seem to forget? Shoes! I just went to an event in NYC with a nice dress and casual sandals because when I arrived at midnight the night before I realized I forgot my nice shoes.
What do you like least about travel? Flying.
What do you want your loved one to buy you from an airport Duty Free store? I never bother with Duty Free.
Favorite travel app(s): Hopper, Hipmunk, TripAdvisor.
Most embarrassing travel moment: Trying to lift a giant suitcase onto a train in Italy only to have a stick-thin gorgeous women reach down and pluck it up for me with one hand.
I’m embarrassed I haven’t been to: Asia.
Worst travel moment: Dealing with a crazy, drunk and drugged up passenger in the first class cabin of a US Airways flight with no help from the flight attendants.
What’s your dream destination? Right now? Maldives.
Best travel tip: Create a plan, even if you change it, especially if you are traveling with kids.