Photo with 5 notes
Our latest Featured Traveler is Lisa Lubin. Lisa’s story of globetrotting will surely give you a bad case of wanderlust. After three years of traveling, Lisa is focusing on her very own video consulting business, LLmedia. Find out more about Lisa’s travel experiences and her favorite Mexican restaurants in this Featured Traveler profile.
Name: Lisa Lubin
Tell us a little about yourself:
I am a three-time Emmy® Award winning television writer/producer/photographer. After more than a decade in broadcast television I decided to chuck it all and take a sabbatical of sorts which turned into nearly 3 years traveling and working my way around the world. I document my (mis)adventures on my blog, LLworldtour.com, with photographs and articles from the road/train/rickshaw/camel. I recently launched LLmedia, a video consulting business along with an eBook called Video 101: Tips & Tricks for Awesome Visual Storytelling.
For three years, I took Spanish and surfing lessons in Costa Rica, rode through the narrow fjords and icy glaciers of the Chilean Patagonia, hiked up and biked down a snowy volcano in Ecuador, swam with dolphins off the coast of New Zealand, climbed high atop the Harbour Bridge in Sydney, sand-boarded the dunes of Dubai, kayaked between pristine islands of Belize, climbed like Moses to the top of Mt. Sinai, and successfully accomplished a two-week bicycle tour through the rice fields Vietnam. I have also found work in many places—I served up coffee and sandwiches in a café in Melbourne, taught private business English lessons in Istanbul, performed proofreading work for a Turkish media conglomerate, worked as a research assistant at the University of Cologne, was a pet sitter and an ‘extra’ in Los Angeles, did public relations for a company in Madrid and did some English voice recording for a publishing company in Berlin. At present, I’ve been to 6 continents and more than 45 countries.
Favorite city you’ve been to:
Besides Chicago, where I live and love it….ah, so hard to pick a fav…one of my favorites would be Stockholm. It’s a gorgeous city set on a myriad of Islands. It’s very modern, clean, and there is this great general ‘look’ to everything - that well thought out Scandinavian design and aesthetic. Plus there are tons of great cafes where you can go for a Fika (coffee break)!
Favorite restaurant:
A big part of my job at ABC (before I quit to travel), was doing TV segments on Chicago’s restaurant scene. It’s the reason I am a bit of a foodie today. There is so much good food in this town…I have a favorite in each category! I now crave Mexican a lot more than I used to, as it’s not very common to find good Mexican outside of the Americas. Right now I am loving the tortas at XOCO (Bayless is known for all his fresh ingredients and you can taste it) and also the tacos at Big Star - super tasty and cheap!
Best place to relax:
Nowadays, with all the traveling and working I am doing…it’s actually just on my boyfriend’s couch.
Best place to have fun:
Well besides also on my boyfriend’s couch (hee hee), that would be usually trying new foods with friends in Chicago or when I am traveling. To me, food = fun!
Best trip you’ve ever taken:
Besides my entire 15-month ‘round the world trip, I can say a weeklong boat tour through the Galapagos Islands. This was one of those once-in-a-liftime trips. It wasn’t even total luxury, but at the time was a splurge while I traveled the world on a budget. It was fun to be on a boat with a small group of great travelers, eating fresh food, snorkeling, and being up close and personal with beautiful animals everyday.
What one piece of advice do you have for travelers?
Travel slow. Don’t worry about seeing it all - stay for a week, a month. Get an apartment. Build a community.
Get local. The best part of travel for me is meeting people. I try to do this everywhere I go - through social media (Tweet: who’s in London??), through the readers of my blog, through the amazing couchsurfing.org, and through friends of friends. I found that now that I am back in Chicago, I am still reaching out to people and meeting new folks every week in my own town. Life is good!
Where else can we find you on the web?
My Travel Blog: LLworldtour
Now you get to learn a little more about the man behind #wheresJohnny, AKTA Web Studio and the really cool nonprofit, Digital Hope. Learn more about John’s adventures below!
Name: John (or Johnny) Roa
Tell us a little about yourself:
I own AKTA Web Studio and am the Founder/CEO of Digital Hope- a 501c3 nonprofit that performs volunteer projects around the world, funded and fueled by social media. I am a true web geek who has been starting digital companies since my teenage years. I am now preparing to trade a life in the big city for one living out of a backpack as I prepare to lead the international team for Digital Hope. On the road, I will be working hands-on with each of our projects (at organizations like orphanages, wildlife sanctuaries and schools), as well as still working with AKTA remotely. I’ve spent months backpacking Europe, South America, etc. but nothing near what 2012 is going to look like.
Favorite city you’ve been to:
Toss up - Valparaiso, Chile or Lisbon, Portugal. Both are completely beautiful, authentic and big adventures.
Favorite restaurant:
Can’t say I know exact names…But any restaurant on the Grand Canal in Venice, or an authentic local steak shop in Buenos Aires.
Best place to relax:
This isn’t going to sound like a nomad/backpacker thing to say, but I think the most relaxed I’ve been in my entire life was on a cruise ship sailing the Mediterranean. Sitting Titanic-style on the bow of the boat, with just moonlight (how romantic right?) and watching the water and shore go by (with a big glass of wine in hand, of course).
Best place to have fun:
Punta del Este, Uruguay. I’ve never seen anything quite like it. Hell of a party!
Best trip you’ve ever taken:
I took mum to Europe this past May for her birthday. She had never been to Europe. We visited Paris, and then took a cruise along the Mediterranean coast from Barcelona to Venice. It was an amazing trip and an experience I will never forget.
What one piece of advice do you have for travelers?
Be open-minded. The point of traveling is to truly experience new things. If you are fixed on your current tastes, beliefs or customs, you are not properly traveling. Past that, get lost. It’s the best way to explore a new place.
Where else can we find you on the web?
seejohnnygo.com (there is a fun contest here too where you can win great prizes for guessing where I am!) twitter.com/johnroa about.me/johnroa
This travel journalist is a Singapore native. She’s taken her talents everywhere from Spain to Tanzania and has written for a plethora of media outlets. Meet Nellie Huang, the creator of WildJunket and our latest Featured Traveler!
Name: Nellie Huang
Tell us a little about yourself:
I’m a freelance travel journalist with love for the unknown and an eye for adventure. Hailing from Singapore, I have traipsed through continents to find home in Spain, where I live for now. In my quest for adventure, I have climbed an active volcano in Guatemala, reconstructed a school in rural Tanzania, followed the trails of sea lions on the Galapagos Islands and dived the depths of Borneo. My work has been published in print media Food&Travel, International Lifestyle, Jetstar Asia in-flight magazine and Exhale magazine; as well as online media CNNGo, National Geographic IT blog, Women Adventure Magazine and Travel+Leisure Asia, amongst others. I am a contributing guidebook author to VIVA Travel Guide Guatemala, having authored the chapters of Coban and Tikal.
Favorite city you’ve been to:
Granada, Spain and Cuzco, Peru. Both for their bohemian air and natural charm.
Favorite restaurant:
Mango Restaurant in the Kilimanjaro region, between Moshi and Aruba. I used to eat there everyday when volunteering in Tanzania and loved the chicken rice set there.
Best place to relax:
Le Paradisier in Ifaty, Madagascar for its gorgeous setting and tranquility.
Best place to have fun:
Seoul, South Korea for the best street food, nightlife and all-night-long entertainment.
Best trip you’ve ever taken:
Island-hopping in the Galapagos.
What one piece of advice do you have for travelers?
To let go of all your insecurities, step out of your comfort zone and live life to the fullest.
Where else can we find you on the web?
www.wildjunket.com www.nelliehuang.com www.facebook.com/nellie.huang1 www.twitter.com/wildjunket
Julia Dimon is a television show host and travel expert who has traveled to all seven continents. She’s willing to try just about anything when it comes to food and travel. Read more in this Featured Traveler profile to find out why Tanzania is her favorite country and where she ate dinner on a toilet!
Name: Julia Dimon
Tell us a little about yourself:
I’m a TV show host and adventure travel journalist who’s been around the world many times, to over 80 countries across all seven continents. I’m the co-host of Word Travels, a 40-episode TV series about the real lives of travel writers, broadcast worldwide on National Geographic Adventure and Travel Channel UK. I’m also the co-host of active adventure lifestyle show called Outside Today, on Outside Television Network. I’ve been featured as a travel expert by ABC Nightline, NBC, E! News, AOL Travel, Forbes Traveler, MSNBC, Outside’s Go Magazine, Budget Travel, Chicago Tribune, etc. I’m a regular keynote speaker for the NY Times Travel Show, the Boston Globe Travel Show, The Chicago Tribune Travel & Adventure Show and the Washington, DC Travel & Adventure Show. I’ve worked with American Express and Kayak.com as their ‘travel expert and spokesperson.’ I’m not afraid to break a nail or get my hands dirty. From the depths of the Great Barrier Reef to the top of Machu Picchu, I’ve hiked with silverback gorillas in Uganda, snorkeled with whale sharks in Mozambique, climbed The Great Wall of China, dog-sledded in Greenland, camel trekked in Jordan, slept with lions in the Serengeti, lived as a Buddhist monk in Korea, fought like a gladiator in Rome, survived a survival course in the jungles of Belize, wrestled with indigenous Cholitas in Bolivia, toured genocide memorials in Rwanda, made lip-plates with the Mursi women of Southern Ethiopia, spent a night of “torture” in a Latvian prison and snacked on local delicacies such as silk worm, goat brain, six-inch scorpions, snake blood and severed human toe. Check out the video of my experiences at: http://www.traveljunkiejulia.com/video-press/
Favorite city you’ve been to:
Tanzania, in East Africa, is one of my favorite countries to visit. Amazing animal viewing in the Serengeti, challenging treks in Kilimanjaro, gorgeous beaches and Swahili/Arabic culture in Zanzibar, friendly people and a good tourist infrastructure. Beautiful country!!
Favorite restaurant:
A fun restaurant to visit is the Modern Toilet restaurant, a kitschy café in the heart of Taipei’s Shilin district that is entirely toilet themed. Guests sit on toilets and eat over mini urinal-like plates. Check out my experience eating there: http://www.traveljunkiejulia.com/toilet-restaurant-in-taiwan/
Best place to have fun:
Rotorua, New Zealand is a capital of adrenaline activities. Bungee jumping, zorbing, white water rafting, ATV-ing…pretty much anything wild and fun can be done in this city.
Best trip you’ve ever taken:
As part of my yearlong journey around the world, I backpacked through South and East Africa: Rwanda, Zambia, Tanzania, Namibia, Mozambique, Malawi, etc. Amazing countryside, life-changing experiences and seeing a side to the continent that’s different from the terrible headlines we often read about in the news.
What one piece of advice do you have for travelers?
Just do it! Don’t let fear stop you from having an incredible adventure. I’d like to share a quote with you that inspired me to travel in the first place… “Why tell your grandkids you worked 9-5, five days a week for 40 years and quietly sat in traffic jams while people went to war, suffered disease and shot their own classmates? Tell them you refused to live in fear. Tell them you crossed the Amazon, saw the Lost Cities of Gold and met your soul mate in Casablanca. Travel to the ends of the earth. Go now and live adventures that will make your grandkids proud.”
Where else can we find you on the web?
Check out my photos, adventures and travel tips at my website www.traveljunkiejulia.com or follow me on Twitter @juliadimon.
Katie Aune’s travel story is a little different. The Minnesota native took her first trip abroad when she was 25 and has covered so much ground since then. More recently, Katie traded her legal career in for a chance to travel the world and volunteer. She’ll be leaving in August and we’re excited to follow her journey through the former Soviet Union. Learn more about Katie’s travel experiences in our latest Featured Traveler profile.
Name: Katie Aune
Tell us a little about yourself:
I was born and raised in Minnesota, but have lived in Chicago since I graduated from law school in 2001. I practiced law for 6 years before switching gears to work in alumni relations and development for a law school. I went abroad for the first time when I was 25 and in the last 10 years I have been to 19 countries, including Peru, Egypt, Australia, Norway, Hungary and most of western Europe. I recently quit my job and will be leaving August 30 to travel and volunteer through the 15 countries of the former Soviet Union for the next year.
Favorite city you’ve been to:
Rome. I love the history of the city and I also have a thing for Roman ruins. I have been twice and I feel like I could go back 10 more times and there would still be new surprises to discover.
Favorite restaurant:
Cafe Kor in Budapest. It sounds simple - I had duck breast strips with honey, apple and spinach pasta - but it was one of the best meals I have ever had in my life. The “Gundel” crepe with hazelnuts, raisins, chocolate sauce and powdered sugar was pretty darn good too. Wow, I’m getting hungry…
Best place to relax: I don’t do a lot of relaxing when I travel - I like to be active - but I’d have to say the island of Formentera. You can rent bikes to explore the island or just lay on the beach and stare at the amazingly clear, bright blue water. I spent a day there at the end of a whirlwind trip through Spain and it was wonderfully relaxing.
Best place to have fun:
Anywhere. For me, fun is about who I am with, not where I am. If you’re with the right people, you can have a blast anywhere.
Best trip you’ve ever taken:
Egypt in 2008. It was my first trip to a non-Westernized country and the first time I really stepped out of my comfort zone. I climbed inside pyramids, explored centuries-old tombs, hiked up Mt. Sinai to see the sun rise and went way off the beaten path to visit ruins in Middle Egypt. That trip really sparked my desire to make travel an even larger part of my life.
What one piece of advice do you have for travelers?
Don’t be afraid to travel solo. It is easy to meet people on the road and it is a great feeling to be able to set your own itinerary and do exactly what you want to do.
Where else can we find you on the web?
Website: www.katiegoingglobal.com (main travel blog) and www.globally-glutenfree.com (site about living gluten-free in Chicago and around the world) Facebook: www.facebook.com/katiegoingglobal
Twitter: @katieaune
Travel blogger and wine enthusiast Keith Jenkins is the founder of Velvet Escape, a popular travel blog. The investment banker-turned-traveler is based in Amsterdam and has traveled all over the world. Keith takes us on a journey through his favorite places in our latest Featured Traveler profile.
Name: Keith Jenkins
Tell us a little about yourself:
I’m Keith Jenkins, the founder and publisher of the Velvet Escape travel blog and The Happy Explorer photo blog. Based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, I’ve visited more than 60 countries across six continents… and counting. I worked as an investment banker for ten years before turning to my true passions: travelling and writing. The Velvet Escape travel blog reflects the way I like to travel: exploring off-the-beaten-path spots, discovering exclusive accommodations and indulging in local cuisines and wines. In addition to blogging about my travels, I also provide blogging and social media consulting services and speak regularly at tourism/blogger conferences. I’m also the co-founder of the Global Bloggers Network a community of travel bloggers.
Favorite city you’ve been to:
Gosh, that’s a tough one. I have many ‘favorite cities’ around the world such as Vancouver, New York, Tokyo, Paris, Madrid, Kuala Lumpur, Rio de Janeiro, Cape Town, New Orleans…and the list goes on! If I had to choose one, I would choose the city I live in: Amsterdam. It’s beautiful, packed with things to see and do, very cosmopolitan (almost 200 different nationalities live here!) and all within a small, village-like setting. I love this city!
Favorite restaurant:
My favorite restaurant in Amsterdam is Saturnino. It’s a quirky little Italian ristorante with tiled tables, friendly staff and superb food of course! My all-time favourites are the carpaccio, linguini vongole, spaghetti alio olio peperoncino, sirloin steak with black truffle sauce and porcini mushrooms, and the home-made tiramisu. The food is seriously good and never fails to cheer me up!
Best place to relax:
On a beach, preferably one with swaying palms; white, powdery sand; and crystal-clear water. :-) I love Whitehaven Beach (on Australia’s Whitsunday Islands), Bora Bora (I could stare at the colors of that lagoon for days!), Zanzibar, and any of the islands in Sabah, Malaysia. Looking at the colors of the water, feeling the sea wash up around my ankles and enjoying the breeze in my face - beaches never fail to relax me.
Best place to have fun:
Amsterdam of course!
Best trip you’ve ever taken:
I’ve been very fortunate to have had the opportunity to be on many amazing trips. One trip that I’ll never forget though is my five-month round-the-world trip in 2008. Countries I covered included Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Australia, French Polynesia, Chile and Argentina. Not only did I get to experience some of the most stunning places on this planet, it was in many ways a life-changing trip. I published an e-book about this trip and its repercussions called Travelations.
What one piece of advice do you have for travelers?
Travel schedules and checklists often lead us from one destination to another and one attraction to the next, and we return home feeling exhausted. My advice is to allow yourself more time and to limit the number of things to see and do on your list. Go slow! Stroll aimlessly without a map, take your time while you explore a market or simply sit at a café, strike up a conversation with the locals and watch the world go by. This is a great way to truly experience a place.
Where else can we find you on the web?
Follow Velvet Escape on Twitter and Facebook for a daily dose of travel inspiration. I can also be found on StumbleUpon and Google+.
Meet Colleen Curtis. Colleen is a Michigan native who moved from Chicago to Brooklyn. Although she travels often for work, she tries to explore each city to find hidden gems. Read more to learn about her favorite trips and how she plans on visiting all 50 United States!
Name: Colleen Curtis
Tell us a little about yourself:
I am a nearly-29-year-old recent transplant (from Chicago) to Brooklyn, NY. I am the East Coast Marketing lead for Yelp.com, a website that connects people (and travelers!) with great local businesses. I travel a lot for my job where I get to collaborate locally with Yelp Community Managers in the Northeast, and they get to show off the awesome local gems in their cities! I have a 9 year old melancholic pitbull mix named Tillie who’s dream is to be featured on hipsterpuppies especially since we’ve relocated to BK. I’ve been to *almost every country in Europe (missed Greece!), Australia and have traveled extensively in Mexico and the United States (I will hit all 50 someday! This summer I crossed off Pennsylvania, Connecticut, New Jersey and Rhode Island). I know that seems silly to say, but there are a lot of places right in our American backyard that can certainly scratch the travel itch, on multiple budgets.
Favorite city you’ve been to:
I know this may sound insane to the seasoned world travelers, but I really found Pittsburgh, PA extremely…attractive. Robust. Proud. Interesting. Diverse. The finest the Rustbelt has to offer, even. Off the beaten path, but better for it! The locals know what I am talking about! Perhaps my expectations were low (forgive me, Pixburgh!), but I found the city to be extremely charming with wonderful food options (highly recommend Square Cafe for breakfast), great local neighborhoods and I stayed at the unique boutique Priory Hotel, a converted church near the Warhol Museum. There’s depth and strong communities, a beautiful scenic overlook with a view of the entire downtown (Dahntahn?) and rivers at night, truly…remarkable. Plus, one can go to Primanti Bros and eat a sandwich with french fries and cole slaw IN IT. Totally healthy! I’m grateful for the opportunity to travel domestically with a local Yelp CM to guide me to the best spots. Speaking of the Rustbelt, I also think Cleveland and Detroit have some of the most passionate communities of people and local businesses I’ve ever witnessed, and I look forward to hiring and launching Yelp in Buffalo, NY later this year! Don’t knock it til you’ve tried it. There is beauty in all things.
Favorite restaurant:
Well…I checked, and I’ve written 648 restaurant reviews on Yelp to date (42 percent of my total, I promise I do other things too!)….so, this really is a tough one. I certainly am no expert, but I do go out to eat a lot! If I have to pick just one currently I will go with Davanti Enoteca (Little Italy, Chicago). A toasty/cozy Italian restaurant in a far-enough-away-from-downtown ‘hood that also serves as a wine shop…be still my heart. Excellent food, and popping over to Beviamo for a nightcap might just be the perfect date night ever. You heard it here, folks.
Best place to relax:
My hometown…Traverse City, Michigan. Cherry Capital of the World, rising food scene, local farms, wineries, breweries, film fests, etc. But really, you can’t beat the Bay or the Dunes (named by GMA as the most beautiful place in America!) on a summer day or the color season in the fall for kicking back. From the day I was born until my most recent trip in August, I haven’t found anything that quite comes close to Northern Michigan in the summer/fall. Someone told me the other day it is the “Hamptons of the Midwest,” which made me spit out my “pop” (soda). Let’s hope it keeps some of its…err…grounded charm with its rise to “fame!”
Best place to have fun:
Well, I live in New York City…if one cannot have fun here, there may be little hope. The city that never sleeps, truly never sleeps. Brooklyn might take a few naps once in a while, but the frenetic energy and sheer number of people/options/things/places to do/see/touch/eat/dance/create is somewhat incomprehensible. Second to that, Chicago. I’ve lived in both…and really, why wouldn’t one want to live in the cities they found to be the most fun!? If you aren’t, you should probably move.
Best trip you’ve ever taken:
Well, clearly my 6 month vacation from American life at 20 years old was by far the best…and the longest. Living in Rome, traveling every weekend to European destinations (favorites: Warsaw, Budapest, Ireland) by train and crazy low-budget airlines…and no work! Capped off with a 3 week stint in Australia (impulsive) because I “wasn’t ready to go home yet,” and yep, that likely sums up the best trip I’ve been on. Oh, the freedom…how its wasted on the young! I may have just paid off the credit cards from that trip recently. Eek. Worth it? Yes. If 9 years later its still the best…well, there you have it.
What one piece of advice do you have for travelers?
Fly consistently. Rest your head creatively. I’m very budget conscious for both work and personal travel. Here’s what I’ve learned: for flying, figure out your home airport (base) and what airline has the most direct flights in/out of that airport. Then, fly it consistently for every trip. Get the rewards credit card for that airline (often comes with perks like free baggage, early check-in, bonus miles at sign-up, access to lounge, etc). To me, all airlines are pretty…errr….2 stars. However if you can pick and stick, the rewards run thick and you’ll be on your way somewhere fun (for free-ish!) before you know it.
Now, I do not hold the same philosophy for hotels. I MUCH prefer to find quirky/offbeat hotels. I don’t find the rewards ever add up to much (though if you travel to the same place over and over for work, definitely stick with it and rack it up!) at the big chains, and most destinations I am hitting might not have the same chains. I like variety. Truly, I search Yelp for cool local recommendations (boutique hotels, etc) and really dig airbnb.com to find unique lodging and people in various cities to stay with. I’ve stayed in a beautiful apartment in Chelsea, NYC while relocating and a classic sunken retreat near the White House in DC for a weekend. Planning a trip to Paris, and we’ll definitely be doing it airbnb style! Much better than hotel prices…and come with local guides! (sometimes)
Where else can we find you on the web?
http://twitter.com/YelpColleenC
This world traveler techie has been everywhere from Zanzibar to Rio de Janiero. Featured Traveler, Kevin Bluer is adamant about experiencing different cultures from a local’s point of view. Learn more about his experiences and how to make your very own even more memorable.
Name: Kevin Bluer
Tell us a little about yourself:
I have over 10 years in the technology sector having worked in companies such as Microsoft, JP Morgan, and co-founded two UK-based start-ups. At the time of writing I’m finishing up a role at MTV Networks to kick off the Mongol Rally 2011 (a drive from London to Mongolia which I’m both excited and nervous about in near equal measure). I’m a huge fan of travel and the way in which it challenges your preconceived notions of the world and broadens the mind, often in directions you could have never predicted prior to to leaving. Other passions include photography, snowboarding, and attempting to learn new languages (with the emphasis on “attempting”).
Favorite city you’ve been to:
I have a number of favorites (for a diverse array of reasons) so it’s hard to pick just one, but Stone Town in Zanzibar certainly stands out. The locals were fantastic and the place had such a great vibe and energy. In addition, the city’s depth and richness was mind-blowing, with influences from both Persian and Western cultures, as well as East Africa. If you’re ever there I highly recommend the 236 Hurumzi (http://236hurumzi.com) for both the hotel itself and the views from its Tower Top Restaurant.
Favorite restaurant:
For pure randomness it has to be the Supperclub in Rome, although more for the unique experience as opposed to the food (which was average at best). I was there with a few friends and it was a totally surreal mix of cabaret, music, and lights, all experienced from the “beds” which are positioned around the outside of the room.
Best place to relax:
Relaxing is something I find hard to do. Even if I’m on a beach I’m tempted to get up and head off exploring. This is why the Round Hill in Jamaica really suited me. It’s a resort (in so much that you’re reliant on taxis or buses to head out to other parts of the island) that really doesn’t feel like one. It also has an amazing mix of pools, beaches, and buildings that blend perfectly with tropical surroundings and come complete with wooden balconies and verandahs. It was also recently redesigned by Ralph Lauren (who’s also a shareholder!).
Best place to have fun:
This has to be Whistler, Canada. I was there for the second time earlier this year with a bunch of friends from the UK and it is simply world-class. Whistler Mountain alone is more than big enough to keep you going for a few weeks, so that fact you have Blackcomb right “next door” (and recently opened Peak 2 Peak gondola connecting the two) is just the icing on the cake.
Best trip you’ve ever taken:
This is kind of cheating (given it was essentially a series of connected trips), but the best overall trip I took was the 4 months I took out when moving from London to New York. Highlights included Everest Base Camp, Angkor Wat, Hokkaido, Hawaii, Machu Picchu, Yyuni and Rio de Janeiro. One of the toughest, yet most profound, countries was Bangladesh. I stayed with a family there (shout out to Mafuz) and the heat and overall hit to the senses was on occasion overwhelming. However, it is still one of the countries I reflect on the most and would love to one day go back.
What one piece of advice do you have for travelers?
Go out of your way to be humble and respect absolutely everyone. Regardless of what you might occasionally think, every single person on this planet has near identical wants and needs (health, sustenance, shelter, etc). In addition, make a concerted effort to “connect” with local people. Without doubt, the most memorable aspects of any trip I have ever taken have come from doing this (although I definitely have a long way to go in terms of perfecting the art).
Where else can we find you on the web?
Personal - http://www.bluer.com
Photography - http://www.photopunk.com
Causes - http://www.randomgood.com
She writes about travel for a living. Cool, right? Say hello to Annemarie Dooling. Her love for travel has turned into a full time job, as she is now the Travel & Culture Social News Editor for the Huffington Post Media Group. In this Featured Traveler profile, the Brooklynite, food truck foodie and frill seeker tells about a few of her favorite places.
Name: Annemarie Dooling
Tell us a little about yourself:
I’m a freelance writer for Flavorpill, Time Out and a few magazines, and I blog regularly at www.frillseekerdiary.com. Most recently I became the Huffington Post Media Group’s Travel & Culture Social News Editor where I get to run the HuffPost’s Tumblr and meet fans for over 10 great brands and verticals, including Gadling and AOL Travel. Within the last 12 months I’ve been to six countries and hope to tag another two on before 2012.
Favorite city you’ve been to:
Prague is one of the only cities I’ve ever visited that I could really live in. There’s a great mix of history and art and there’s an ironic twist to the city. The locals are so friendly and you could wander the side streets for hours. I recommend it to everyone.
Favorite restaurant:
I’m usually a food truck kinda girl - and Austin has my favorites - but for an amazing sit down experience, Morels in Vegas cannot be beat. They served me the most ridiculously delicious cheese plate I have ever had in my entire life. A close second? Oru in Vancouver, where Chef David Wong’s sheer passion comes through in every single dish. Finally, Antonio’s in Macau. Chef Antonio Coelho is super talented AND fun.
Best place to relax:
Nyungwe Forest, Rwanda, surrounded by animal sounds and miles and miles of green plants and trees. ou could literally lay on the grass and just smile for hours.
Best place to have fun: Definitely New York. I was born here and still feel like I’ve barely discovered anything! Every week there’s a new event or a new person to meet and it never ends. It took me a few years to appreciate it, but this is where people come to have fun.
Best trip you’ve ever taken:
In 2010 I accepted a sponsored trip to Rwanda and on the way got the chance to stop in Ethiopia and Uganda before arriving in Kigali. I was warned beforehand that Rwanda was both rough and beautiful but I was still not prepared. It was amazing, everything from trekking for gorillas to meeting craftsmen at the market; it’s an amazing country on the rise after a rough patch.
What one piece of advice do you have for travelers?
Never plan anything. You know the old adage, “If you wanna make God laugh, tell him your plans”? It’s never more true than in travel. Prepare for emergencies with guidebooks or apps or cell service or the number of friends or consulate members, but don’t plan anything. You’ll be really disappointed when the plans fall through.
Where else can we find you on the web?
Too many places! I’m a Twitter lover at @travelinganna. My blog loves at www.frillseekerdiary.com and on Facebook at facebook.com/frillseekerdiary. I do some of my best work at urlesque.tumblr.com and huffingtonpost.tumblr.com
This New York bred travel fanatic has been traveling since he was an 18-month-old child. Zach Aarons loves his hometown of New York and shares his admiration by leading several tours of the city. Read more to find out where he’s headed next and why New Orleans is his favorite place to have a good time!
Name: Zach Aarons
Tell us a little about yourself:
I was born and raised in New York City and now I live in Fort Greene, Brooklyn with my wife Camilla who owns a clothing store called Thistle & Clover. I went to Brown University and also studied abroad in Padova and Florence during my tenure in college. I currently work as the CEO of Travelgoat, an online multimedia guide focused on tours of different US cities. I have also been a licensed tour guide in New York City for years and have led hundreds of different themed walking tours for both tourists and locals. I serve as an investor and advisor to many different technology companies specializing in the local guide and travel guide space.
I have been traveling since I was 18 months old and my parents took me to Italy. I usually take about three long trips per year abroad and a bunch of short trips as well around the USA. I have been all over Europe, South America, and North America. I have only been once to Africa, once to the Middle East, and twice to Asia so that is where I want to focus my travels over the next few years.
Favorite city you’ve been to:
My favorite city in the world is definitely New York. I was born there and have lived basically my entire life there; I have no intention of ever leaving. However, for travel my favorite city is London. I try and go every couple of years and each time I return certain things are the same, and certain things are different. I love the Soho neighborhood and the Soho Hotel. That is where I stay when I am in town. I have a few friends there who are always eager to show me the new hot restaurant or an exhibition at the Serpentine or Tate Modern. The food there is international and great. I can also always catch some really good theater in the west end, and sprinkle in a new neighborhood. The city is so large and diverse.
Favorite restaurant:
My favorite restaurant during my travels would have to be La Giostra in Florence. It was our favorite place when we were studying abroad and we went all the time. It was started by a Hapsburg prince named Dimitri who used to cook fabulous meals in the countryside and his friends told him that he needed to open his own place. The place is now run by his son Soldanno, who is a friend of mine and the most eligible bachelor in Florence. They make amazing wild board ragu pappardelle and amazing Florentine steak. A picture of my two best friends hangs in the entryway.
Best place to relax:
I don’t often relax much when I travel because I am so excited about seeing new things. However, the most relaxing place I go is a small town in Provence, France called Vaison La Romaine. My wife’s parents live there during the summer on a beautiful vineyard overlooking the town which has Roman ruins, hence the name. It is so tranquil there I can just sit by the pool for hours, play petanque with my father in law, or drink some of the most delicious Cotes du Rhone wine in the world.
Best place to have fun:
I would have to say New Orleans. I try and go once a year for a long weekend down there. The vibe as soon as you get into the quarter or the marigny is one of pure fun. The food is decadent, the architecture spectacular, and they really know how to have a good time. I am comfortable there going to a super touristy bar on Bourbon Street or going with my aunt who has lived there for a long time to a locals only bar in the Garden District. Everyone there is looking to have fun, drink, listen to great music, and stay out late. It is a great town.
Best trip you’ve ever taken:
Hands down the best trip I have ever taken was my honeymoon. My wife and I went to Australia in October of 2008, right when the financial world was collapsing. We mapped out a trip with a little bit of everything: we went to Sydney, Melbourne, the Barossa Valley (wine country), and then finished on Lizard Island in the Great Barrier Reef. Sydney was a blast. We ate really well, walked all over the city, and my wife went to every single boutique she could find. The weather was perfect and the harbor is beautiful. In the Barossa we did a day of wine tasting, tasting vintages from some of the oldest vines in the world. The setting was perfect. Melbourne was more eating and sightseeing, and then we had a really relaxing time on Lizard Island. It is a private island with just the resort on it. There is a lot to do including diving, snorkeling, and visiting the many private beaches on the island. It really is a paradise.
What one piece of advice do you have for travelers?
My advice to travelers is to make sure that you do a lot of research but don’t get bogged down in the minutiae of the trip. Make sure you have a plan and a good itinerary before you go but leave some room to change things on the fly. When my wife and I went down to Memphis we had a bunch of places where we wanted to eat. We ended up befriending some locals in a bar and they took us around to all their favorite places. The same thing happened when I was down in Buenos Aires for a bachelor party. You need a plan to fall back on, but the locals always know best, so if you meet a local and he or she thinks you should change your dinner reservation or sightseeing schedule a bit, it is a good idea to listen.
Where else can we find you on the web?
You can find me on my website at www.travelgoat.com or www.zachaarons.com, my blog at travelgoat.tumblr.com or on twitter @travelgoat. I am also obviously on gtrot, quora, and foursquare.
Page 1 of 2
