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: Sarah Gallo
Occupation: Bartender. Aspiring Travel Writer.
Hometown: Redding, CT
Residence: Redding, CT
College: New York University
College major: Media, Culture, and Communications / Business of Entertainment, Media, and Technology
Website: TheFiveFootTraveler.com
Twitter: @5foottraveler
Facebook: The Five Foot Traveler
Pinterest: 5foottraveler—brand new!
Google+: Sarah Gallo
Instagram: thefivefoottraveler
YouTube: Hello World! Adventures of The Five Foot Traveler
Short bio: I choose to dream out loud. After conquering a crippling fear of flying, I’ve developed an unquenchable passion for traveling. Since my newfound freedom, I have set foot on six continents and continue to strive to live life to the fullest. My highlights include paragliding through the Swiss Alps, ringing in the New Year on Copacabana Beach, jumping off the world’s highest bungee bridge in South Africa, trekking through Patagonia, seeing sea lions bathe their newborn pups in the Galápagos Islands, hiking from the Mediterranean Sea to the Sea of Galilee, and polar plunging in Antarctica on Christmas Day.
How often do you fly? About 10-15 times a year as I prefer to travel overland.
How many countries have you been to? 36 countries, 54 come November :)
How many continents have you been to? 6—Australia, I’m coming for you!
Earliest travel memory: Punta Cana, 1997. I remember taking a scuba lesson in the pool and screaming because, unbeknownst to me, I had a double-ear infection!
Favorite American city: New York City.
Favorite international city: It’s a toss up between Jerusalem and Rio de Janeiro—they’re too different to choose!
Least favorite country: Costa Rica. While I know that this is a hugely popular destination, I found it far too touristy and overpriced. Personally, I found Nicaragua and Panama to be much more enjoyable.
I have no desire to go to: Syria.
Friendliest people in the world: Brazilians.
Country with the meanest immigration officers: Jordan, but for the most part I haven’t had many mean immigration officers.
Favorite World Heritage Site: Okavango Delta, Botswana.
Favorite airline: Virgin Atlantic.
Aisle or window: Window. No question.
Favorite airport lounge: Jorge Chavez International Airport in Lima, Chile. Avianca delayed my flight to Buenos Aires for 14 hours for no apparent reason and, while I was less than thrilled about this, they let us pass the time in this very comfortable lounge.
Favorite U.S. airport: Westchester County Airport. While this airport is nothing special, it’s just so quick and easy!
Favorite hotel: Turtle Bay, Oahu, Hawaii.
Favorite cruise line: I don’t have a favorite cruise line, per se, but my favorite cruising experiences were on One Ocean en route to Antarctica and Yacht La Pinta throughout the Galápagos Islands.
Favorite travel credit card: Bank of America Travel Rewards.
Favorite island: San Blas Islands. I highly recommend taking the five-day catamaran trip from Panama to Colombia via the San Blas Islands for a fabulous, breathtaking adventure.
Favorite beach: Boulders Beach, South Africa. I mean, who could refuse those adorable penguins?!
Favorite fancy restaurant: La Giostra, Florence, Italy—it’s owned by princes!
Favorite hole-in-the-wall: La Brisa, Nicaragua. “Nacho’s” menu is all organic and of spectacular quality. The catch? He doesn’t have a refrigerator and grows/purchases new ingredients every day. With guaranteed freshness, huge portions and low prices, this place cannot be missed!
Favorite bar: Vinárna U Sudu, Prague.
Favorite fruit: Guanoabana.
Favorite food: Pizza.
Least favorite food: Caterpillars.
Drink of choice (in the air and on the ground): Malbec.
Favorite travel movie(s): Wild & The Way.
Favorite travel show(s): Does The Amazing Race count?
Favorite travel book(s): “Love with a Chance of Drowning” by Torre DeRoche.
Right now I am reading: “Outlander: The Voyager.”
Favorite travel website(s)—besides JohnnyJet.com, of course! Johnny, duh. I also really enjoy catching up on Lee Abbamonte’s travels and Bruised Passports.
5 things you bring on a plane: Other than my passport…Bose noise-canceling headphones, iPod, ear planes, Kindle, socks.
What do you always seem to forget? Chapstick. Every. Single. Time.
What do you like least about travel? Flying. I had a 10-year debilitating fear of flying. While I’m over my fear, flying still makes me uneasy at times.
What do you want your loved one to buy you from an airport Duty Free store? A local piece of chocolate please :)
Favorite travel app(s): Viber and WhatsApp.
I’m embarrassed but I haven’t been to: The west coast, oops.
Worst travel moment: I got stranded in the desert in Argentina with no food, drink, cell service…or people! After 12 hours two guys in a white truck finally drove by and we hopped in the front seat, hoping and praying that we would arrive at our hostel. Thank goodness we did!
What’s your dream destination? For the past few years I’ve dreamed of sailing through French Polynesia, despite the fact that I have no idea how to sail!
Best travel tip: A smile and a laugh go a long way!
Sara Gallo ..organized the trip from help through travel agent Jack Bauman at guidester.com.
We went to Iceland.using her recommendations. Every single day there was an error in the booking. To the point that we had paid for a day trip that we weren’t booked on. A horrible trip from someone who is a self promotor and doesn’t know what she is doing. She should go back to being a bartender.