Peter Jones
Peter Jones

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: Peter Jones

Occupation: Student

Residence: Chicago, Illinois

College: University of Oklahoma, Northwestern University

College major: International Studies, Journalism

Website: mustafajones.com

Twitter: @pitajones2

Facebook: Peter Mustafa Jones

Instagram: pitajones

Short bio: I’m currently studying for my master’s degree in journalism at Northwestern University in Chicago. Before this, I worked for several years in the international development field (mostly in Washington, DC) and I taught English in Korea. I started traveling internationally when I was in high school and got addicted. I spent two years at a bilingual high school in Costa Rica then a year in Turkey and a summer in Israel in college. I love reading, writing on my blog, watching TV, and hanging out in my spare time. I hope to incorporate travel into my future journalism career.

How often do you fly? 15-20 flights a year.

How many countries have you been to? 37

How many continents have you been to? 5

Earliest travel memory: Disney World.

Favorite American city: San Francisco.

Favorite international city: Istanbul.

Least favorite country: Armenia.

I have no desire to go to: Mount Everest.

Friendliest people in the world: Turks.

Country with the meanest immigration officers: South Africa.

Favorite World Heritage Site: Historic Areas of Istanbul.

Aisle or window: Window for short trips, aisle for long ones.

Favorite international airport: Incheon.

Favorite island: Iceland.

Favorite beach: Any at Tayrona National Park.

Favorite National Park: Grand Canyon.

Favorite fruit: Pineapple.

Favorite food: Mac and cheese.

Least favorite food: Bananas.

Drink of choice (in the air and on the ground): White wine in the air, mojitos on the ground.

Favorite travel movie(s): The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Y Tu Mama Tambien, Up.

Favorite travel show(s): Gaycation, Sense8, Top Model, Catfish.

Favorite travel book(s): “Free Country: A Penniless Adventure the Length of Britain,” “The Kindness of Strangers: Penniless Across America,” “Backpacked: A Reluctant Trip Across Central America.”

Right now I am reading: The Miracle at Speedy Motors.”

Top 3 favorite travel newsletters/magazines/blogs: Wanderlust, Travel and Leisure, Lonely Planet.

Favorite travel website(s)—besides JohnnyJet.com, of course! Kayak.com/explore; google.com/flights.

5 things you bring on a plane: Book, headphones, glasses.

What do you always seem to forget? Toothbrush.

What do you like least about travel? Turbulence.

What do you want your loved one to buy you from an airport Duty Free store? Booze!

Favorite travel app(s): Google Maps, Uber.

Most embarrassing travel moment: I passed out in the bathroom of my hostel in Puerto Rico and split my forehead open. I had to make it to the airport, so I didn’t try to get any help. Airport security made me get checked out before I could fly, and I went to the doctor to get stitches as soon as the plane landed back home.

I’m embarrassed I haven’t been to: Anywhere in the UK.

Worst travel moment: I was living in South Korea and went to Hong Kong for a weekend to visit my friend. While I was there, she realized she had told me the wrong dates and was actually out of town the whole time I was there. I went exploring solo, got super sick and passed out on the subway. I spent half of my trip either at the emergency room or camped out at the airport waiting for flight back home while too weak to move.

What’s your dream destination? New Zealand.

Best travel tip: If you have the time and the money, don’t be afraid to travel alone. It might seem scary and lonely at first, but you never know who you’ll meet or the experiences you’ll have. It beats staying home and waiting for your friends to make time to travel.

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