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.

Matt Harding HeadshotName: Matt Harding

Occupation: Traveler

Hometown: Westport, CT

Residence: Seattle, WA

Website: Wherethehellismatt.com

Twitter: @WhereTheHIsMatt

Facebook: /Where-the-Hell-is-Matt

YouTube: /MattHarding2718

Short Bio: Matt Harding started his career as a videogame designer before giving it up to travel the world. He has since become the viral internet dance and travel sensation of www.wherethehellismatt.com, creating videos that are a series of short clips of him doing his trademark dance in front of icons around the world, joined by locals in many destinations. The popularity of Harding’s videos have made Where the Hell is Matt’s channel the most watched travel channel on YouTube.

His most recent video (launched June 2013) was made in partnership with the United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA) and conveys the wonder of discovery and joy of new experiences as he dances with groups of US travelers as they visit exotic and familiar locations around the world.

How often do you fly: A couple times a month.

How many countries have you been to: A little over a hundred.

How many continents have you been to: Seven.

Favorite American city: New Orleans

Favorite international city: London

Least favorite country: Yeah, right. Like I’m gonna answer that.

Favorite World Heritage Site: Angkor Wat.

Favorite airline: Emirates.

Favorite aircraft type: Airbus A380-800.

Aisle or window: Window.

Favorite airport lounge: Delta’s new lounge in JFK. Also, British Airways at Heathrow has free massages.

Favorite U.S. airport: Trying to think of one I even like. Seattle’s isn’t bad, but I practically live in it, so I guess I’m biased.

Favorite international airport: Changi in Singapore. Amazing. And Dubai has a jacuzzi for long layovers.

Favorite hotel: Conrad Maldives Rangali Island. Stilt huts with glass floors so you can watch the fish swim by. Also, Ubud Hanging Gardens in Bali has a funicular that descends into the jungle valley. They light it up with torches at night. But I’m fine as long as I’ve got somewhere to lie down and access to a toilet.

Do you unpack into the dresser/closet? Or live out of your suitcase? I tried unpacking once or twice. So much work for so little payoff.

Favorite cruise line: Haven’t done enough cruises to have a favorite.

Favorite island: Yap in Micronesia. Runner up: Isla de Pascua (Easter Island).

Favorite fancy restaurant: Nautilus in the rainforest of north Queensland, Australia.

Favorite hole in the wall: I have a hard time passing by any New York pizza place without grabbing a slice.

Favorite fruit: Uh, grapes.

Favorite food: Sushi.

Least favorite food: English. There are only so many ways to boil meat.

Drink of choice (In the air and on the ground): Whiskey.

Favorite travel movie(s): The Man Who Would Be King

Favorite travel show(s): Haven’t watched many.

Favorite travel book(s): Dark Star Safari.

Right now I am reading: Comic books.

Favorite travel website(s) – besides JohnnyJet.com, of course!: This week it’s www.ustoa.com/dancingwithmatt.

Five things you bring on a plane: iPad, Nintendo, sleep mask, headphones, backup battery.

What do you always seem to forget: Massive stash of leftover foreign currency.

What do you want your loved one to buy you from an airport duty free store? Can someone explain duty free to me? It seems like a big scam.

Favorite travel iPhone app(s): Strut.

Most embarrassing travel moment: My partner dropped her passport in the toilet in Stockholm airport, then had to hand it to the immigration guy. He licked his thumb as he was flipping the pages and she nearly barfed.

Also, ran out of pages on my passport in Madagascar and they wouldn’t let me in. I had to sit in airport jail watching Steven Segal movies until the US embassy could staple more pages into it.

Worst travel moment: Falling in a pile of cow poop on the banks of the Ganges River. I cut myself in the fall and the wounds were covered in excrement, so I had to jump in a river filled with rotting corpses to wash off.

What’s your dream destination: Mars.

Favorite travel charity: Generation Rwanda.

Best travel tip: You’ll be fine.

1 Comment On "Travel Style: Matt Harding"
  1. naoma@cheerfu.com|

    Great and interesting person. Enjoyed reading it!

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