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: Arianne Marie Asunsolo
Occupation: A bit of all, currently living in Milan I teach English and do some modeling. Back in Dubai I was an event planner.
Hometown: It is a complicated question. I was born in Newport Beach, CA, raised part of my childhood in Chiapas, Mexico, and moved to Cuernavaca, Mexico, around the age of 12. Where do I feel home? At an airport :)
Residence: Milan, Italy for the moment.
College: Arizona State University.
College major: Global Studies (surprise surprise).
Website: ariannestraveljournal.wordpress.com (work in progress just started it)
Instagram: ariannestraveljournal
Short bio: A global citizen, born in Newport Beach, CA, having lived in nine countries, visited 52 and counting. I have a passion for researching the best a place has to offer. We are sharing our adventures on Instagram along side tips and ideas for unparalleled experiences. Focus on delightful food & incomparable stays.
How often do you fly? Every other month (but drive much more).
How many countries have you been to? 51
How many continents have you been to? 5
Earliest travel memory: Around nine, flew to Chicago and saw the snow for the first time. As a kid who basically grew up in the jungle it was quite a shock.
Favorite American city: I have two, Newport Beach and New York.
Favorite international city: St. Petersburg was incredible but not to live, maybe Rome.
Least favorite country: Perhaps Jamaica, but was only in Kingston a short time for work. It didn’t feel safe or inviting.
I have no desire to go to: I would go anywhere!
Friendliest people in the world: Mexicans and surprisingly British people have always been so nice and helpful to us!
Country with the meanest immigration officers: Chinese! Crossing the border through the Himalayas, they gave us a bit of a hard time.
Favorite World Heritage Site: Potala Palace in Tibet, how is this not a world wonder!? Taj Mahal in India is incredible as well.
Favorite airline: Anyone who upgrades me!
Favorite aircraft type: The one with the most leg room, I am 1.80 cm around 5’11 I never fit!
Aisle or window: Window 100% I like daydreaming.
Favorite airport lounge: Bangkok, can’t remember the particular airline but was incredible.
Favorite U.S. airport: Detroit is actually quite cool!
Favorite international airport: Koh Samui Thailand, they had a buffet and felt like a mini resort.
Favorite hotel: Zighy Bay Six Senses in Oman and Oberoi Hotel in Agra.
Favorite cruise line: Never been.
Favorite travel credit card: Amex and Miles and More Lufthansa.
Favorite island: At the risk of being cheesy, I have to say Santorini, Greece.
Favorite beach: Secret one we discovered near Tulum, Mexico, and another virgin one in Oaxaca, Mexico.
Favorite National Park: Grand Canyon Arizona
Favorite fancy restaurant: L’Europe at Belmond hotel in St Petersburg (Includes ballet and opera paired up with amazing food).
Favorite hole-in-the-wall: Street corner taqueria in Mexico City.
Favorite bar: I like obscure hole-in-the-wall bars with delicious drinks. Cinq in Milan is quite nice!
Favorite fruit: Coconuts and mangos.
Favorite food: Green chilaquiles (preferably made by my mom) and sushi!
Least favorite food: Some sort of smelly fish I tried in Nigeria bleh!
Drink of choice (in the air and on the ground): In the air I like tomato juice with lemon and on the ground a good red wine. I love Italian Barolo and Amarone. My favorite French is Chateauneuf-du-Pape.
Favorite travel movie(s): Up in the Air & Under the Tuscan Sun.
Favorite travel show(s): Don’t really watch too much TV
Favorite travel book(s): Anything by Isabel Allende.
Right now I am reading: “Aves de Cristal”—Fatima Galbos.
Top 3 favorite travel newsletters/magazines/blogs: Johnny Jet, Elite Traveler, the Blonde Abroad.
Favorite travel website(s)—besides JohnnyJet.com, of course! Lol of course Johnny Jet and probably Skyscanner?
5 things you bring on a plane: iPhone, a book, sweater, fuzzy socks and soft big scarf.
What do you always seem to forget? A converter. Always forget.
What do you like least about travel? Security lines are never fun, or any lines for that matter.
What do you want your loved one to buy you from an airport Duty Free store? Chocolate and some travel gadget.
Favorite travel app(s): Tripstir to get good tips and see what friends I can connect with, Instagram for inspiration and “around me.”
Most embarrassing travel moment: Mm I am a klutz so probably lots of them but I tend to brush things off quite fast.
I’m embarrassed I haven’t been to: Spain! (living in Italy) and Australia, I wanted to do all continents before turning 30.
Worst travel moment: Being stranded because someone stole my passport. Thankfully US embassy worked it out in 24 hours but had to rebook a flight.
What’s your dream destination? Japan in the spring, Antartica and Bora Bora.
Favorite travel charity: Not sure if it’s travel but Conservation International is a great one. Also, always try to help out when traveling. Find out what the locals are missing (maybe clothing in Cuba, canned foods Nepal) and when visiting bring some along. Also helps giving your suitcase empty room for souvenirs on the way back!
Best travel tip: Wake up EARLY! Get out at the crack of dawn and go explore. There is nothing like the sunrise light, and a place loses its magic when there are 10,000 selfie sticks around you.
