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: Necee Regis
Occupation: Freelance Travel and Food Writer and Oyster Blogger.
Hometown: New Rochelle, NY
Residence: Boston and Miami Beach
Website: necee.com
Twitter: @neceeregis
Facebook: Necee Regis
Short Bio: I write about travel with a focus on food, art, culture, and quirky, off-beat locations. I’m a frequent contributor to the travel and food sections of The Boston Globe, The Washington Post, The Huffington Post, and have also been featured in the Los Angeles Times, American Way Magazine, Spirit Magazine, The Globe and Mail, and the literary magazine, Tin House. I’m a co-contributor to the travel column, Here, There, and Everywhere, appearing weekly in the Boston Globe.
A freelance writer with an MFA from Mass College of Art, I often publish my own photographs and illustrations to accompany my stories. My special interest—some might say obsession—is the world of oysters and shucking competitions.
How often do you fly: 8-12 times a year
How many countries have you been to: 21
How many continents have you been to: 3
Favorite American city: New York
Favorite international city: Istanbul
Aisle or window: Depends. Window for long overnight flights; Aisle for daytime.
Favorite hotel: Any Fairmont Hotel, anywhere.
Do you unpack into the dresser/closet? Or live out of your suitcase? On a cruise, I unpack. In a hotel, I live out of the suitcase
Favorite island: Buyukada in summer; Nevis in winter
Favorite fancy restaurant: B & G Oysters, Boston
Favorite hole in the wall: El Atlakatl, Miami, Florida (the one in Little Havana) for fab Salvadoran eats.
Favorite food: Oysters!
Drink of choice (In the air and on the ground): In the air: water only. On the ground: red wine, vodka, and tequila (not all at once!)
Favorite travel movie(s): The Edge of Heaven by Fatih Akin; The Golden Door (Nuovomondo) by Emanuele Crialese
Favorite travel book(s): Knopf Guides. Don’t know if they print them anymore but my old copies are treasured for insight on the arts, literature, architecture and history of each destination.
Right now I am reading: Out Stealing Horses by Per Peterson
Favorite travel website(s) – besides JohnnyJet.com, of course!: I like to check out these by my travel pals: adamhgraham.com; havebaggagewilltravel.com
Five things you bring on a plane: water, New Yorker magazine, saline nasal spray, shawl, earplugs
What do you always seem to forget: The lunch I packed so I don’t have to buy expensive and predictable airport food.
What do you want your loved one to buy you from an airport duty free store? Unpasteurized French cheese. Of course then they have to smuggle it into the States. (Worth the risk!)
Favorite travel iPhone app(s): xe Currency
Worst travel moment: Seriously spraining my ankle while starting the long hike down Masada in Israel.
What’s your dream destination: Would you believe I’ve never been to Paris?
Best travel tip: Never, ever check your bag.
I travel a lot also. I live in Paris for 3 months of the year. Enjoy reading about other people who fly a lot. My pet peeve is TSA — in the USA. Never have a problem overseas where they are more “civilized.”