Annemarie Dooling is a journalist who uses travel to leave her comfort zone, and social media to connect the dots across the globe.
Whether taste testing cocktails in New York City or dancing with locals in Africa, she believes travel makes the world a smaller place, and chronicles her discoveries in Time Out, AOL Travel, Huffington Post, and her blog, frillseekerdiary.com.
She shares her tips with us, on how even a hesitant flier can be an expert traveler.
Cheapflights: What are your personal routine procedures every time you fly?
AD: I pack a carry on with a beauty bag containing toothbrush and paste, face cleaner, Excedrin Migraine, and anti bacterial lotion. I’m not a good flier so I need to have everything on me to feel okay. I also fly in pajamas, to be more specific, Gap Body yoga pants. No matter where I’m flying I have to have them because they look like regular black pants at first glance but stand up to the contorting you have to do when you fly coach.
CF: What is your biggest travel pet peeve?
AD: Besides the fees? I love airports so I’m not a big fan of the mad rush to get in and out of the plane. The plane knows you’re there, it isn’t leaving or taking off again without you being where you need to be. I think people get very tense when they travel and the pushing and shoving kicks in. Traveling should be just as much fun as being in your destination.
CF: What kind of trip type do you prefer, and why?
AD: I am a city girl through and through. Growing up I split my time between my native Brooklyn, New York and a small town in Connecticut and knew immediately that I was meant for the city. I’m attracted to the buzz and hum of everyday life and you can’t beat the city for people watching.
CF: Although it’s hard to choose, tell us what your favorite destination is, and why.
AD: My favorite recent trip would have to be Rwanda. It wasn’t a destination I would have immediately thought to visit, but I fell in love with the strong attitudes of the people, the incredible landscape, and colorful markets. Closer to home I’m hoping to get back to Florida within a few weeks. I’m getting married there next year and I’m anxious to feel that subtropical heat after the weather we’ve been having in New York.
CF: Cheapflights is all about value. What location do you think offers the best value for travelers?
AD: There are some fantastic deals to Europe right now and even though it’s the first place many tourists flock to, I wouldn’t dismiss it. Cities like Brussels and Milan can be a huge bargain because they’re not quite Paris or Rome but still have that edge to them and lots of fun things to do and see.
CF: What is your ideal airport, and what’s your advice on how to best enjoy it?
AD: I love airports. I actually prefer layovers since flying gives me headaches. The ideal airport has tons of places to sit, soft preferably, lots of walkways and shops to peruse through to stimulate yourself, and a coffee shop – doesn’t matter which one. I could walk around airports for hours watching everyone and seeing the planes take off. I think the key to enjoying them is thinking of your time in an airport as your ‘disappearing time.’ Turn off your devices and relax. No one knows if you’re in the air and unreachable, so use that time to disappear off the grid.
CF: If you had to sit in the middle seat on a plane, who would be your chosen (or most-feared) seat mates, and why?
AD: I’m forever Middle-Seat Girl. I’ve come not to mind it since I’m usually asleep during flights anyway. I prefer someone who won’t try to chat me up and ask questions, not because I’m anti-social but because I don’t fly well and it’s hard to explain to someone why you just screamed in the middle of a conversation because the plane dipped. It’s much better for everyone if I’m asleep and woken up at the terminal!
CF: What would you classify as a hypothetical travel nightmare?
AD: A friend’s boss was the lone survivor of a plane crash – that image has stayed with me forever and horrifies me. On a much smaller scale I’ve had luggage lost for days upon returning home from a business trip. Papers and folders and my phone charger and everything you take for granted just floating around somewhere through airports. I’ve had canceled flights; I’ve spent the night on cold benches in foreign airports, but my items not being in my possession is worse to me.
CF: How does what you do for a living give you a unique angle on traveling?
AD: I’m lucky enough to write for some fantastic media outlets and get to talk about wonderful places like Uganda and Rio de Janeiro and Prague, but I also work as a Community Manager, using social networks and the Internet to share and receive content for websites and properties. I get to speak to fans about the things they love the most. Instead of a faceless brand, I become the face and, in turn, hear about everything the fan wants from the brand. Being in constant contact with people across the world has really had an effect on my traveling. I feel like I know someone everywhere, have personal access to tips from locals, and it makes the world a much smaller place.
CF: Share with us a few insider tips on how to improve the in-flight experience, in general.
AD: Pajamas are the key. It’s so much easier to relax and not stress out every little delay or mishap when you’re ready for bed. And be nice to your fellow travelers!
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Cheapflights is proud to have guest voices express their opinions. The views expressed are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect those of Cheapflights Media (USA) Inc.
