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JOHNNY JET'S Q & A
Brenda Elwell ~ Single Parent Travel

PROFILE

Brenda Elwell, Author, Entrepreneur, Travel Advisor Extraordinaire A veteran of over thirty years experience in the travel industry and a worldwide adventurer, Brenda Elwell has lived abroad and traveled to over 60 countries and 45 states, half of them as a single parent with her two kids in tow. A graduate of Colby College with a B.A. in languages, Ms. Elwell conceived the idea of single parent travel 18 years ago, while traveling in Europe on her first single parent family vacation. Several years later, she completed her CTC (Certified Travel Consultant) degree with a research paper on the topic "Marketing Travel to the Single Parent". Addicted to adventurous travel to remote and exotic places, Ms. Elwell is at home anywhere on the planet. An accomplished hiker and photographer, she is also a connoisseur of ethnic and exotic foods, having sampled such delicacies as Peruvian Cuy (don't ask!), Kenyan Pepper Bark and Amazonian lemon ants, the latter two eaten fresh off the tree.

BRENDA'S ANSWERS

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED AS A TRAVEL PROFESSIONAL?
My Dad was a doctor so I grew up on National Geographic Magazines and read their maps for fun. I thought everybody did it. In college I spent a summer living with a French speaking family in Switzerland and I was hooked! Went right into the travel biz after college.
HOW OFTEN DO YOU FLY?
At least 8 times a year; do weekend road trips more often.
IN A YEAR HOW MANY MILES/POINTS DO YOU EARN?
That does not apply to people in the travel business as we sometimes fly on passes.
WHAT CLASS OF SERVICE DO YOU MOSTLY FLY IN?
Economy, unless I get an upgrade.
FAVORITE AIRLINE?
International =Swiss; domestic = Continental or Delta
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT?
anything with legroom (I'm tall).
FAVORITE HOTEL?
Favorite resort hotel is the Hilton Waikoloa on the Big Island of Hawaii.
Favorite city hotel is the Peninsula of Hong Kong.
Favorite city hotel (which is like a resort hotel) is the Cairo Marriott.
FAVORITE HOTEL AMENITY?
A firm bed with soft pillows
FAVORITE AIRPORT?
San Salvador, El Salvador. It is small, friendly and surprisingly sophisticated. There is a small well-equipped Internet cafe, a couple of colorful shops and a terrific coffee bar with outstanding food, service and atmosphere.
FAVORITE AIRPORT TO PASS TIME IN?
JFK - nothing beats the passing parade.
FAVORITE CITY?
Paris
FAVORITE ISLAND?
The Big Island of Hawaii.
Favorite Group of Islands = the Galapagos

FAVORITE SPA?
n/a
FAVORITE RESTAURANT?
Grand Old Ranch House in Moab, Utah. There is something decadent about walking into a gourmet restaurant in an historic home setting, while in your dusty old hiking clothes, and being graciously seated by a waiter in formal dress and served a gourmet meal along with a dose of local colorful history.
AISLE OR WINDOW?
Aisle.
ETICKET OR PAPER?
eticket domestically, absolutely!
TRAVEL AGENT OR ONLINE?
Usually online
FAVORITE TRAVEL WEBSITE?
Orbitz and of course my own - www.SingleParentTravel.net

FAVORITE TRAVEL COMPANION?
My kids
IF YOU WERE STRANDED ON A TROPICAL ISLAND, WHAT THREE ITEMS WOULD YOU WANT TO HAVE WITH YOU?
Other than a man, it would be a pocket knife, a mirror to signal for help, and a toothbrush.
WHAT DO YOU HATE MOST ABOUT TRAVEL?
Bad weather that delays my vacation. Other than that, I take everything in stride as part of the adventure.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT TRAVEL?
The unexpected cultural surprises.
BEST TRAVEL TIP:
When taking photos of people , offer to take photos of family members and friends and send prints to them. Then follow through with your promise!
WHAT IS THE MOST EXOTIC FOOD YOU EVER TRIED?
3 things :
Lemon ants - eaten live off the tree in the Ecuadorean Amazon
Pepper bark - eaten off the tree while on a walking safari in Kenya
Cuy - the national delicacy of Peru . Don't ask what it is!