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: Aaron Paul
Occupation: Pop Dance Recording Artist
Hometown: Brooklyn, NYC
College: Westminster College, London UK
Short bio: International pop dance recording artist and common man. Former Simon Cowell boyband lead singer with more than five international Top Ten records. Several solo dance/club hit records including the #1 dance hit and anthem “I Don’t Care!”
How often do you fly? I fly international about twice a year to the UK where I am from. I’m currently living in NYC and have been for the past 20 years. But I travel home to London to see family and friends, as well as perform at various festivals, clubs and promotional tours. I fly domestically all over the US at least once a month for short trips and also once again for work to perform in clubs and other single events in most of the major cities here in the USA.
How many countries have you been to? Oh wow, that’s a very interesting question. Well, I started traveling really young as we do growing up in Europe. I think we are basically born with a passport in our mouths, lol. And being that Europe is all so close together, we are encouraged to travel as soon as we finish high school. When I was in Worlds Apart, we toured intensively. So I’ve probably been to all for the European countries. On this side of the pond, I’ve only been in the USA and Mexico. So I’ve still got a lot of catching up to do. I’ve never been to Asia, even though I have brothers who live in Cambodia and Vietnam. So better get cracking. There is a big ole’ world out there!
How many continents have you been to? 2 out of 5. Europe and the Americas
Earliest travel memory: Going to the South of France with a school friend and his family who had a beautiful home there. I remember going on a hike with him in the Pyrenees Mountains and we got lost. Which can be very dangerous with the temperature dropping and wild boar etc. A search party, basically all the town locals, were scouring the mountains looking for us. They eventually found us and I was like DAMM. I was looking forward to facing off with a wild boar. But thank god we were found safe and sound.
Favorite American city: Well apart from NYC. I like Philly. It reminds me of London. With its very prominent history and cozy feel. And it combines the old and new together. Plus I have some very dear friends there and a big fan base.
Favorite international city: I like Berlin, Germany. I basically lived there for a while during my Worlds Apart days. It’s a beautiful city and very energized fun. And also once again, I have many great German fans and they continue to support me and my music since way back then. So I guess I’m a little biased.
Least favorite country: Ooooh that’s a tough one. I don’t want to upset anyone or get banned from ever going there again. I PLEAD the 5th ;-)
Friendliest people in the world: I would say Germany. They are so polite and considerate. Maybe, being a pop star, I got special treatment. But I always remember everyone being so respectful.
Country with the meanest immigration officers: Sorry HANDS DOWN, it’s here in the USA. Of course having been through the immigration system here. They really are a little intense. It’s like they are herding cattle lol. I remember one time I was coming here on and off while touring. And one immigration officer said, “I think you had a little bit too much APPLE PIE”, lol.
Favorite airline: British Airways. Enough said.
Aisle or window: Aisle. I like the freedom to get up and move around if I want too.
Favorite airport lounge: Heathrow Airport. Because of all the duty-free stores. You can actually spend more money there before you even have lifted off.
Favorite U.S. airport: I really like Dallas. It’s huge and I like seeing all the Texans walking around and wearing their cowboys hats walking around. You don’t see that anywhere else.
Favorite international airport: Once again, Heathrow.
Favorite hotel: W hotel.
Favorite cruise line: I’ve never done a major cruise. Am I allowed to say Circle Line cruise around Manhattan?
Favorite travel credit card: VISA.
Favorite island: Isla Mujeres, Cancun.
Favorite beach: Miami Beach, FL.
Favorite National Park: Hands down, the Grand Canyon.
Favorite fancy restaurant: Way too many to choose from.
Favorite hole-in-the-wall: Nha Trang One, this little Vietnamese restaurant in China Town, NYC. I luv that place. You’re treated like a king!
Favorite bar: My local bar in Brooklyn is The Black Swan. It has the perfect combo of an American and British feel.
Favorite fruit: Melon. Everyone knows I luv me some melon.
Favorite food: Indian. And any food that is spicy. I luv HOT HOT HOT!
Least favorite food: I’m not a fan of Egyptian food. But everyone tells me that I have not had great Egyptian food yet.
Drink of choice (in the air and on the ground): Jack Daniels & Coke. Very music biz.
Favorite travel movie(s): OMG…I luv the Bollywood movies on Air India. I like the dancing sequences. I would love to be in one.
Favorite travel show(s): Anything National Geographic…does that count?
Favorite travel book(s): Any biography.
Top 3 favorite travel newsletters/magazines/blogs: Hello! magazine
Favorite travel website(s)—besides JohnnyJet.com, of course! Why of course JohnnyJet.com.
5 things you bring on a plane: Book, toothbrush, extra liqueur, iPad, and an extra blanket. It’s cold up in the sky.
What do you always seem to forget? A pen.
What do you like least about travel? What your allowed to bring on board. I always packed my whole wardrobe. These days they barely let you on naked.
What do you want your loved one to buy you from an airport Duty Free store? Kit Kats (British candy bar).
Favorite travel app(s): I’m not really into the app culture. I’m a little old fashioned. I either Google search or read info on line.
I’m embarrassed I haven’t been to: Spain. Seriously. I’ve never been there and I don’t know why…lol.
What’s your dream destination? I think it would be Brazil or South Africa. I can’t wait to get to both those countries.
