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: Sara Nelms
Occupation: Singer Songwriter
Hometown: Sarasota, FL
Residence: New York City
Website: saranelms.com
Twitter: /saranelms
Facebook: /saranelmsmusic
Pinterest: /saranelmsmusic
YouTube: /saranelms
Short Bio: Coming from the land of sunshine, Sara was fortunate to grow up in a family who was uncommonly nurturing to her artistic leanings. Her family was, and still is, very close and very musical. Growing up in Florida and always mesmerized by vocalists like Barbra Streisand, Martina McBride, Dolly Parton, Alanis Morissette, The Cranberries, Dixie Chicks and countless others, Sara first became involved in musical theater and jazz music. She went on to study classical voice at Florida State University before changing directions and moving to Nashville. Sara’s sound combines the control and melodic power of her classical training, melancholy of lost loves, the southern stylings from a lifetime love affair with country music, and the grit and truth found in her current home in New York City. All of this, still leaving you with a hope of a positive outcome in things to come. Her new album, Lover, No Longer captures this spirit completely, through woven tales of love, loss, heartache, and hope. When she is not writing and working on music, Sara is usually exploring, traveling, spending time with family, doing yoga, hiking whenever possible, and enjoying chocolate, coffee, wines, and health foods.
How often do you fly: 6-8 times a year lately
How many countries have you been to: 13
How many continents have you been to: 3
Favorite American city: New York
Favorite international city: Florence or Vienna
Least favorite country: New Zealand, even though I have never been there and it seems beautiful and amazing. I chose it only because my brother is there for a year traveling and I miss him!
Favorite World Heritage Site: I have to admit that I had to Google what this was. I am so sure that I am not alone in that, (although, I’m sure some readers are totally judging me right now!) I will explain what I learned. They are cultural and natural sites that have been listed, by the World Heritage Committee, as exceptionally significant. There are currently 981 of them! After reviewing the list, Kutna Hora Historical Town Center in Czech Republic is definitely my favorite that I have visited.
Favorite airline: Southwest
Favorite aircraft type: The kind that gets there safely!
Aisle or window: Window all the way! I like to lean on the wall and look at the amazing the views.
Favorite airport lounge: If I have a long wait, I usually just grab a coffee and find a quiet corner and read.
Favorite U.S. airport: Tampa International
Favorite international airport: Charles de Gaulle
Favorite hotel: A friend’s couch! I did have a great experience in the One Washington Circle Hotel in Washington DC recently, though.
Do you unpack into the dresser/closet? Or live out of your suitcase? Suitcase… I usually only unpack toiletries, shoes, and maybe a dress that needs to let the wrinkles out.
Favorite cruise line: I have only actually done one cruise but I’m sure I will give cruises a chance again sometime.
Favorite island: Siesta Key, FL
Favorite fancy restaurant: I don’t really eat in extravagant places. As a musician I am always on a budget. So, this counts as fancy to me. Caffe Nonna is quaint and cozy but beautiful and delicious Italian restaurant in Nashville, TN. The flavors are delightful and they always make you feel special and at home.
Favorite hole in the wall: I am actually going to describe a hotel in Florence here because it literally looked like a hole in the wall when I found it. I don’t know the name of the hotel but I found it on a discount website and when the taxi driver dropped me off it didn’t even look like a business, just a number on the wall in an alley. It was dark with a little old lady who showed me the communal bathroom and my room and the room had little red spiders in it. For some reason though, it felt romantic and I loved it. There were American music videos on the old TV and locals hanging laundry out the window next door. It was strangely magical.
Favorite fruit: Plum
Favorite food: Mexican… give me a taco truck and I’m a happy girl!
Least favorite food: Mayonnaise
Drink of choice (In the air and on the ground): Coffee in the morning, water all day, wine in the evening.
Favorite travel movie(s): French Kiss
Favorite travel show(s): Anthony Bourdain
Favorite travel book(s): Eat, Pray, Love
Right now I am reading: The Paris Wife
Top 3 favorite travel newsletters/magazines/blogs: I will just say Facebook and Pinterest… I know this is nerdy but I love looking at where my friends travel and aspire to travel. My friends have some great ideas!
Favorite travel website(s) – besides JohnnyJet.com, of course!: Weather.com (o; you have to know what to pack!
Five things you bring on a plane: Gum, water bottle, book, Burt’s Bees lip balm, music
What do you always seem to forget: Nothing, I am a serious list maker and I like to over pack just a little… but every now and then I seem to forget underwear!
What do you want your loved one to buy you from an airport duty free store? Nothing please… a cute knickknack or local costume jewelry from wherever you traveled is fine but I never even think about going in the duty free store. The things in those stores aren’t things I would buy normally so it seems like a trap. Just me?
Favorite travel iPhone app(s): I don’t know if this counts, but in NYC I use Hopstop to get my public transportation directions and would be late everywhere I went it I didn’t use this handy app.
Most embarrassing travel moment: Can’t think of anything!
Worst travel moment: Getting food poisoning from a certain fast food chain that I cannot think of going to again while on a road trip…
What’s your dream destination: Greece
Favorite travel charity: Peace Corp
Best travel tip: Go with the flow! It’s ok to have a plan but it’s important to be ok with changes.
Oh, dear, this commentator is really nowhere near being a “traveler.” Least favorite place — a place she has NEVER visited. And not that much travel yearly. All previous posts were REAL TRAVELERS. She would not even make the list!!!!! Let’s keep it to “inspiring people.” Travel opinion should be based on personal FACTUAL experience! This is ridiculous to c0mment on a country to which the writer has never been!!!!!
The NZ part was meant as a joke. I would never want to actually list a least favorite place. (o; Can’t please them all! Thanks for the feature, Johnny Jet!