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: Suzanne Stavert
Occupation: Travel Writer, Blogger, and Influencer
Residence: Pasadena, CA
College: UCLA
College major: Psychology
Website: AdventuresofEmptyNesters.com
Twitter: @SuzanneStavert
Facebook: Suzanne Simone Stavert & Adventures of Empty Nesters
Instagram: suzannestavert
Pinterest: Suzanne Stavert
YouTube: Suzanne Stavert
Short bio: Since creating AdventuresofEmptyNesters.com four years ago, Suzanne has successfully built an engaged, multi-generational audience. Through her writing and photography she shares details of world-wide travel, fabulous restaurants, and midlife experiences. The success of the blog has led to exciting adventures like filming an infomercial, guest blogging for the Container Store, hosting videos, and partnering with major travel brands. She lives this sweet life with Craig, her husband of thirty-three years, and her rescue pup, Rocco, in sunny Southern California.
How often do you fly? 2-3 times a month.
How many countries have you been to? 19
How many continents have you been to? 4
Earliest travel memory: A road trip from LA to Missouri when I was eight.
Favorite American city: Seattle or New Orleans.
Favorite international city: Sydney, Australia.
Least favorite country: Still looking!
Friendliest people in the world: Costa Rica and Thailand.
Country with the meanest immigration officers: Mums the word!
Favorite World Heritage Site: Pienza, Italy.
Favorite airline: American.
Favorite aircraft type: Anything with a bed for overnight travel.
Aisle or window: Aisle—I get claustrophobic.
Favorite U.S. airport: Sea-Tac in Seattle, Love the huge windows!
Favorite international airport: Barcelona, Spain.
Favorite hotel: Park Hyatt Mallorca.
Favorite cruise line: Never been on a cruise!
Favorite travel credit card: Citibank.
Favorite island: Kauai.
Favorite beach: Poipu Beach, Kauai.
Favorite National Park: Glacier National Park, Montana.
Favorite fancy restaurant: French Laundry.
Favorite hole-in-the-wall: Las Golondrinas—Breakfast burritos.
Favorite airport restaurant: Not a fan of airport food.
Favorite bar: Rob Roy in Seattle.
Favorite fruit: Boysenberries.
Favorite food: All Italian food.
Least favorite food: Beets.
Drink of choice (in the air and on the ground): Anything with bubbles, sparkling wine, champagne or prosecco.
Favorite travel show(s): Anything with Andrew Zimmern or Samantha Brown.
Favorite travel book(s): “The Sun Also Rises” by Ernest Hemmingway.
Right now I am reading: “11/22/63” – Stephen King.
Top 3 favorite travel newsletters/magazines/blogs: Bon Appétit and Food & Wine.
Favorite travel website(s)—besides JohnnyJet.com, of course! GettingonTravel.com, Expedia.com.
5 things you bring on a plane: Melatonin, almonds, iPad mini, hand cream.
What do you always seem to forget? Toothpaste.
What do you like least about travel? Waiting.
Favorite travel app(s): Hands down: Uber.
Most embarrassing travel moment: On our honeymoon, I made my husband wear a coat and tie on the plane to Hawaii. I thought all “grown-ups” wore that. They lost his luggage so he wore his dress clothes for two days.
I’m embarrassed I haven’t been to: The Grand Canyon.
Worst travel moment: At 18, dragging around a huge roller bag when my much “cooler” friends had backpacks.
What’s your dream destination? Africa or Antarctica.
Best travel tip: Always be completely packed the night before, leave nothing to chance for an early morning flight. All cords, passport, everything in its place.
