Travel Style: Ashley Colburn

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:  Ashley Colburn

Occupation:   TV Producer / Host / Travel Expert

Hometown:  Fallbrook, California

Residence:  San Diego, California

Website:  AshleyColburnProductions.com

Twitter:  @ashleycolburn

Facebook:  Ashley Colburn Productions

Pinterest:  On my To-Do List

Bio:   Ashley began her career as a host, producer, and writer for Wealth TV in 2009. She produced her first travel show” WOW Croatia!” which was awarded Croatia’s Golden Pen award (Best U.S. media) and won an Emmy in 2010. Following her success with the Croatia show, Ashley created “TAKEOFF with Ashley Colburn” a travel series that premiered in 2010 on WealthTV and took her to over 25 countries on 6 continents over 2 seasons.

Currently Ashley has started her own production company, Ashley Colburn Productions, with the aim of “Finding the Wonder in the World. Wonderful People. Wonderful Cultures. Wonderful History.” September through December 2011, ACP was in Croatia filming “ Wonders of Croatia” a 7 part travel series that covers the main tourist regions of the country. This television series produced and hosted by Ashley Colburn will be marketed worldwide and available to view in 2012.

How often do you fly:  Typically every 3 weeks

How many countries have you been to: 30

How many continents have you been to:  6

Favorite American city:  Miami

Favorite international city:  Buenos Aires

Least favorite country:  That’s a hard question. My least favorite city was Colombo, but the rest of Sri Lanka is stunning.

Favorite World Heritage Site:  Machu Picchu and Plitvice Lakes National Park

Favorite airline:  Thai Airways

Favorite aircraft type:  I actually prefer helicopters!

Aisle or window:  Window

Favorite airport lounge:  Air New Zealand – LAX

Favorite U.S. airport:  San Diego- its easy and simple and there is still a Starbucks!

Favorite international airport:  Madrid

Favorite hotel:  Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi – Chiang Mai

Favorite cruise line:  Princess

Favorite island:  Desroches (Seychelles Islands)

Favorite fancy restaurant:  Monte in Rovinj, Croatia

Favorite hole in the wall:  Nada’s Restaurant in Vrbnik, Croatia

Favorite fruit:  Strawberries

Favorite food:  Octopus Salad

Least favorite food:  Liver

Favorite travel movie(s):  The Holiday

Favorite travel show(s):  TAKEOFF with Ashley Colburn (of course!), Human Planet

Favorite travel book(s):  Frommers, Rick Steves

Five things you bring on a plane:  ipad, neck pillow, chapstick, water bottle, fuzzy socks

What do you always seem to forget:  Bug spray

Favorite travel iPhone app(s):  TripIt, Skype, CurrencyExchange

Most embarrassing/worst travel moment:  I was bringing alms to the monks in Thailand while being filmed and I didn’t know what to do or what he was saying to me and I almost touched him because I thought he was trying to grab my hand. I finally figured out that he was telling me to kneel to give me a blessing and I was told after that the last thing that you would EVER do is touch a monk. I was humiliated.

What’s your dream destination:  South Africa

Favorite travel website(s) – besides JohnnyJet.com, of course!:  www.ashleycolburnproductions.com

Best travel tip:  Hang out with locals, even if it requires you to be the one to start the conversation!