James Knott is a video producer and web designer. He is the creator of Straycompass.com, a travel adventure website, and Tour of Okinawa, a travel documentary.
James was a producer for CNN’s Larry King Live where he worked with the world’s most famous politicians, entertainers and newsmakers.
He agreed to share his travel insight with us.
Cheapflights: What is your travel pet peeve?
James Knott: My pet peeve is arriving at a destination and feeling like all the local culture has been stripped away – when you see more tourists, than locals – when there are more souvenir shops than any other businesses – when every creature comfort is double its normal price because you’re at a “destination.” That kind of stuff makes it hard to relax. It no longer feels like I’m on a fun adventure. It just feels like the vultures are circling and waiting to feed off of my wallet.
CF: What is your favourite kind of trip?
JK: Give me a destination. Throw away the itinerary and let me wander. I want to be off the beaten path and a little uncomfortable. I like adventure. Don’t get me wrong – I’ll sit at the beach. However, I want to feel like I’m the first person to ever swim there.
CF: Best destination you have ever been to and why?
JK: Northern Okinawa has probably been my favorite adventure. The northern half of the island is mountainous and sparsely populated. It is home to many subtropical plants and animals. I spent a few days hiking along the highway. Everyone was very friendly and I felt like I was seeing parts of Japanese life that most foreigners don’t experience.
CF: Where in the world offers the best value for money?
JK: There are a lot of great destinations in the Midwestern United States that are forgotten. Northeastern Ohio has the Rock-N-Roll Hall of Fame and Football Hall of Fame as well as the beautiful (and now much cleaner) shores of Lake Erie. If you like getting outdoors then Northern Michigan has tons of great activities for summer and winter. St. Louis has the City Museum, great parks and tons of urban amenities if you know where to look.
CF: Where would you pay to stay? Is there anywhere you think offers great value and a great deal?
JK: Tamarindo, Costa Rica. Pura Vida baby! This is a small town with several nice restaurants that aren’t any more expensive then the restaurants you’d find at home. They have a variety of hotels and rental options. There are tons of great beaches for swimming, sunning and surfing. I recommend that you rent a scooter and see the countryside. It’s the best $25 you can spend. Pull over in a small town with no tourists and buy some papaya juice at the local convenience store. The smile on the woman’s face behind the counter will uplift you and last a lifetime.
CF: What is the best airport you have flown from and is there a tip to make this airport experience great?
JK: I enjoy Reagan National Airport in DC. It has a good flow and is easy to get from point A to point B. There are good amenities on both sides of security, so you can be comfortable from the time you arrive to the time you leave.
CF: As a video producer, how do you capture a place when you travel?
JK: When I’m traveling to shoot a piece, I’m constantly thinking about storylines. I don’t like to have my story written before I go. I want it to evolve as I experience this new adventure. What inspired me to come here? Are the people friendly? What condition are the buildings in? How does it all fit into the larger cultural picture? Once I have those storylines chosen, then I try and find visual evidence of these stories and start checking off the shots I need to tell the tales.
CF: With airlines changing their baggage rules in terms of size and weight, are there any steps you’d recommend?
JK: Pack light. Go with less. The less you have, then the less you have to weigh you down – and less likely you are to get stuck with these ridiculous bag fees.
CF: At one point in your life, you will have to sit in the middle seat when you fly. Who would you most want to share a long haul with and whom would you least?
JK: The easy answer is my wife and my child. If we are talking about travel inspirations, then I guess I would have to pick tv’s “Survivorman,” Les Stroud. I love his combination of filmmaking and adventure and I would love to pick his brain. On my other side, I would have Jon Stewart from “The Daily Show”. I think he would make the flight more entertaining – although I can’t imagine he’s the most adventurous traveler.
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.
