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: Jeremy Foster
Occupation: Travel blogger, cocktail bartender, world adventurer
Hometown: Boston, MA
Residence: Currently in Asheville, NC
College: University of Massachusetts, Amherst
College major: Communications
Website: travelfreak.net
Twitter: @travelfreak_
Facebook: TravelFREAK
Pinterest: travelFREAK
Google+: Jeremy Scott Foster
Instagram: travelfreak_
Short bio: Four years ago, Jeremy quit his day job and booked a one way ticket across the world. What was meant to be a three-month holiday turned into a nomadic lifestyle that never ended. He has since visited countless countries, working in the best cocktail bars he can find. He has recently returned back to the States, for the first time since he left, and is spending time exploring his home country. You can usually find him on either side of the bar, acting wanky and pretentious about booze.
Jeremy is also spearheading a charity project to raise awareness about responsible tourism and to help rescue abused elephants from the tourism industry in Thailand. All those who support the project are entered to win a round-trip holiday to Thailand valued at $3,300 (airfare and eco-friendly tour package included!). Keep reading for more information!
Languages spoken: English, Spanish, Mandarin
How often do you fly? Once every couple of months. I much prefer the long-haul flights, which take me clear across the globe, so I usually get my miles in all at once!
How many countries have you been to? More than 15. I haven’t counted in a little while!
How many continents have you been to? Four. South America, Africa and Antarctica are the only remaining ones!
Earliest travel memory: I remember very little about a trip to Mexico with my family when I was probably only five years old. I remember painting a clay fish, something my mother still has kicking around in a box somewhere!
Favorite American city: Boston, my home city. Even though I no longer have a home there, it will always remain the place where my heart resides.
Favorite international city: Wellington, New Zealand is a place that feels like my second home. I spent eight months there in total, from 2011-2012 and, to this day, some of my fondest memories come from Wellington. I look forward to the day when I can return.
Least favorite country: I haven’t found one yet. Every country has its gems.
Country with the meanest immigration officers: I wouldn’t say the immigration officers at the Laos border were MEAN, per se, but they didn’t accept our bribe when trying to get a friend into the country who didn’t have any pages in her passport left. They kind of just smiled and said no. Never hurts to try, right?
Favorite airline: Hands down, Air New Zealand. Those guys know how to do a long haul flight, right!
Aisle or window: Aisle seat! I like to stretch my legs.
Favorite U.S. airport: I’ve been gone from the States for so long (four years) I can barely remember any airports in the States. But, Logan (Boston), my home airport, will always be special to me.
Favorite international airport: Changi (Singapore) is pretty remarkable. There are always things hiding in inconspicuous places, like terrace cocktail bars and playgrounds (though I’m probably not supposed to be on the latter)!
Favorite hotel: I’ll pick a hostel over a hotel any day!
Favorite island: Waiheke Island, off the coast of New Zealand.
Favorite beach: On Koh Rong, Cambodia.
Favorite hole-in-the-wall: There was this tiny little restaurant in Xi’an, China which was, quite literally, a hole in the wall. I ate fried noodles there three times a week for six months. I miss it dearly!
Favorite bar: The one that serves alcohol.
Favorite fruit: Pineapple or grapefruit!
Favorite food: Noodles, more specifically an authentic bowl of pho (Vietnam) or khao soi (Thailand).
Least favorite food: Bananas! I can’t stand the sight of them.
Craziest thing you’ve eaten: I’m not one for crazy foods. I much prefer really excellent food that doesn’t necessarily have the novelty attached.
Drink of choice (in the air and on the ground): Water. It’s all I drink. Water and beer.
Right now I am reading: “Brave New World.” Next book on the list is “Shantaram” (and it will probably be there for a while, considering its length).
Top 3 favorite travel newsletters/magazines/blogs: ExpertVagabond.com, ThePlanetD.com, HoleInTheDonut.com.
5 things you bring on a plane: Hoodie, laptop, headphones, book and word puzzles.
What do you always seem to forget? Warm clothes.
What do you like least about travel? Leaving family and friends behind. But what we stand to gain from travel is far more rewarding in both circumstance and experience.
What do you want your loved one to buy you from an airport duty-free store? If she’s gone international, a bottle of the local spirit! Or cologne.
Favorite travel app(s): Trail Wallet helps me keep my budget in line when I’m traveling, which is very important, since I can be a little frivolous.
Most embarrassing travel moment: My life is riddled with these. Check out the blog for more on this!
Worst travel moment: An expiring visa (which was meant to get renewed, but didn’t get approved) in New Zealand meant I had to leave on very short notice! I flew to Brisbane, Australia, with no money, no job, and no plan. Guess what—I survived!
What’s your dream destination? Safari in Africa or swimming with penguins in Antarctica!
Favorite travel charity: I’m currently spearheading, along with a group of thirty (yes, thirty) other travel bloggers, a grassroots charity project which is intended to give back to the communities that have nurtured so many people on their personal journeys around the world. This is our second year in effect and we’re raising money for the Save Elephant Foundation in Thailand, an elephant reserve park that rescues abused elephants from the tourism industry. We’re also focusing on raising awareness about responsible tourism, and the importance of spending your dollar wisely while abroad. In exchange for donating, every person who contributes is entered to win a trip to Thailand valued at $3,300, including airfare! What this means is that a $20 donation to a worthy cause could win you a free trip to Thailand where you can visit the elephants you’re helping to save! Please check us out here for more information!
Best travel tip: Expect nothing and you will always be happy with what you find.
