Kamelia Britton
Kamelia Britton

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: Kamelia Britton

Occupation: Travel Blogger, Passport Stamp Collector, International Tour Guide, Bucket List Lifestyle Entrepreneur, Nurse

Hometown: Orange, Texas

Residence: San Diego, California

College: Lamar University

College major: Nursing

Website: Hackerette.com

Twitter: @theHackerette

Facebook: Hackerette

Instagram: thehackerette

Pinterest: Hackerette

YouTube: Hackerette TV

Short bio: Kamelia is the author of the popular lifestyle & travel blog, Hackerette. Growing up in a small Texas town, she never really traveled as a kid, but quickly made up for lost time once she discovered travel hacking and error fares. She’s a curious soul who’s happiest when exploring and loves to share what she’s learned along the way. Kamelia started her blog to offer a source of inspiration and empowerment to those who longed to travel but didn’t really know where to start. She soon discovered that the best way to get people out of the house and checking off their Bucket Lists, was to do the extensive planning for them and take them along with her. She now enjoys curating and hosting group tours around the world to help others experience the magic of travel.

How often do you fly? It varies. Lately I’ve been in a new country about once a month.

How many countries have you been to? 28 so far.

How many continents have you been to? 5

Earliest travel memory: I was a late bloomer and didn’t board my first flight until I was 18-years old. I was terrified of the takeoff and landing. I’ve since gotten over that fear and definitely made up for lost time.

Favorite American city: I live in San Diego, and I absolutely love it. I feel so blessed to call it home. I adore traveling and when I’m done exploring I love coming home to a beautiful place where most people vacation.

Favorite international city: I have many, but I guess I’d have to say Rome. I’ve ended up back there so many times and I love roaming the streets on foot with no plan. I once wandered for eight miles and didn’t even realize it until I was starving and craving pasta!

Least favorite country: I love them all. I can always find something to like about a place, and I enjoy the discovery of somewhere new.

I have no desire to go to: I’ll go anywhere once. :)

Favorite airline: Any in the Star Alliance. Air New Zealand has always been lovely.

Favorite aircraft type: The one that gets me there safely!

Aisle or window: Aisle, I can’t sit still and need to get up and move around often.

Favorite airport lounge: The Turkish Airlines Lounge in Istanbul is pretty special.

Favorite international airport: The Bora Bora airport isn’t much to look at and has no perks whatsoever. But when the plane touches down and you’re surrounded by water that’s fluorescently glowing from within, you’ll feel that you’ve just been transported into paradise.

Favorite hotel: The staff at the Intercontinental Le Moana Bora Bora will make you feel right at home and you’ll never want to leave your overwater bungalow!

Favorite cruise line: I’ve actually never been on a cruise, but would love to try one.

Favorite travel credit card: My United MileagePlus Club Business Card. I get 1.5 miles per $1 spent on my everyday purchases. Plus, I get to bypass security and enjoy the lounge even when I fly coach.

Favorite island: Moorea in French Polynesia. It’s cheaper than Bora Bora and there’s so much more to do.

Favorite beach: The Taylor Bay secret beach in Turks & Caicos.

Favorite fancy restaurant: The food at Boulud Sud in New York City is quite delightful.

Favorite hole-in-the-wall: Warung Garasi in Ubud, Bali. The food is amazing, and it’s so cheap! A friend and I decided to go crazy one day and we ordered every single thing on the menu. When the bill came, it was less than $20 with tip!

Favorite food: I seriously love almost all food! I usually keep it pretty healthy, but a double cheeseburger from In-N-Out with a chocolate shake is my go-to guilty pleasure.

Least favorite food: Liver and oysters.

Drink of choice (in the air and on the ground): White wine & champagne.

5 things you bring on a plane: Good headphones, a soft eye mask, an extra-large bottle of water because I can never get enough, melatonin, facial moisturizer.

What do you always seem to forget? I’ve got it down pretty well these days so I usually don’t forget anything. As long as I have my phone, wallet, and passport, then I convince myself to leave the house with no stress.

What do you like least about travel? When I’m in coach and someone slams the back of their seat right into my knees without looking. I’m 5’10” and all legs, so I prefer to upgrade when I can.

What do you want your loved one to buy you from an airport Duty Free store? A big bottle of my favorite perfume, Chloe.

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

Most embarrassing travel moment: I was heading home from Cuba and had just cleared airport security. I was walking down the stairs toward the gates and slipped. I fell down the stairs so hard that the stairs actually shattered into pieces and made the loudest noise! Everyone stopped and stared, while the Cuban security guards looked over at me and rolled their eyes. If you happen to see the shattered stairs after clearing security on your way home from Havana, that was me. Whoopsie! :)

I’m embarrassed I haven’t been to: Most of the USA! I’ve been to more countries than states, but I’d like to work on that!

Worst travel moment: Getting robbed in Thailand at a full moon party. Luckily, there was no violence at all, and it happened in a flash. I was traveling solo and got caught up in the beauty of a fire show when all of a sudden I felt the tiniest bump. I looked down inside my cross-body purse and everything was gone. Since they took my wallet and cell phone, I had basically nothing left but my passport and clothes. I had to break out my inner “MacGyver” for some unconventional problem-solving in order to get myself across the world, back to California, with no money. I managed to do it, and now it makes for a pretty good travel story.

What’s your dream destination? I’m always drawn to tropical places. The Maldives is next on my list and I’m hoping to go there next year!

Best travel tip: Pack your patience, go with the flow, and keep an open mind. Don’t over plan so that you can say YES to new experiences as they come your way. Life is a “choose your own adventure” story, and you get to create whatever you want! Take your Bucket List, make it your lifestyle, and don’t be afraid to go live your adventure!

 

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