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JOHNNY JET'S Q & A
Maryann Hammers ~ Travel Journalist

PROFILE

Maryann Hammers has been writing and editing professionally for almost 15 years, and her work has appeared in dozens of publications ranging from the New York Times to Vegetarian Times, Delicious Living to Coastal Living, Adventure Cyclist to American Way.
She’s llama trekked in Taos on assignment for Shape; tequila-tasted in Los Cabos for Vista; rock-climbed in Utah for Bally Total Fitness; hot-air ballooned in Sonoma for the Robb Report; swung from tree to tree in the Costa Rican jungle for The Knot; shopped in London for the Rob Report -- and later pub-crawled for fun. She’s also the former editor in chief of Spa magazine and former technology editor for OutofOffice.com, a (now-defunct) Web site for business travelers. Hammers holds a Master of Arts degree in English literature from California State University Northridge.

MARYANN'S ANSWERS

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED AS A TRAVEL PROFESSIONAL?
I've been a health and fitness writer for years. When I was recruited to launch Spa -- a luxury travel magazine -- in the spring of 2000, I expanded my focus to include travel. Even after leaving Spa, I continued to write travel articles, many times with a health or fitness focus.
HOW OFTEN DO YOU FLY?
I usually travel from one to three times month -- anything from a quick weekend away to a trip of a week or more. I usually can't be gone more than a week.
IN A YEAR HOW MANY MILES/POINTS DO YOU EARN?
Never calculated it. A lot.
WHAT CLASS OF SERVICE DO YOU MOSTLY FLY IN?
Varies.
FAVORITE AIRLINE?
Many are fine -- I'm often partial to Alaska. British Airways is wonderful. Really don't like Southwest.
FAVORITE AIRCRAFT?
Those with roomy overhead compartments!
FAVORITE HOTEL?
So many wonderful places -- I'm gonna hedge here because I love many for different reasons.

FAVORITE HOTEL AMENITY?
Aveda Rosemary-Mint products.
Heated towel racks.
Down comforters
bottle of wine/champagne waiting in room
FAVORITE CITY?
London. Second: Vancouver.
FAVORITE AIRPORT?
None of them! It's the worst part of traveling.
FAVORITE AIRPORT TO PASS TIME IN?
See above.
FAVORITE ISLAND?
All of them

FAVORITE SPA?
The spa at Esperanza resort in Los Cabos
FAVORITE RESTAURANT?
see answer to favorite hotels
AISLE OR WINDOW?
Aisle. Unless it's a red-eye flight and I hope to nap.
ETICKET OR PAPER?
E
TRAVEL AGENT OR ONLINE?
online
FAVORITE TRAVEL WEBSITE?
don't have one

FAVORITE TRAVEL COMPANION?
varies.
IF YOU WERE STRANDED ON A TROPICAL ISLAND, WHAT THREE ITEMS WOULD YOU WANT TO HAVE WITH YOU?
blow dryer (boy am I vain or what?)
toothbrush
Internet/e-mail access
WHAT DO YOU HATE MOST ABOUT TRAVEL?
airports
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT TRAVEL?
getting there!
BEST TRAVEL TIP:
always pack an empty duffel bag or tote -- they squish up and take hardly any room, and guaranteed you're gonna need to take all your purchases home.