Max Hartshorne is the editor of GoNOMAD.com, the travel website published since 2000, based in Massachusetts. He travels every month to write articles and blogs.
He’s agreed to share his experience in travel with us.
Cheapflights: What do you always do when you travel – any routine procedures?
Max Hartshorne: I always make sure that I only bring two pieces of luggage, and that my passport is secure in the same exact place – the front pocket of my carry-on backpack. I also print my boarding pass out at the office before I leave for the airport.
CF: What is your travel pet peeve?
MH: I hate how long it takes after the plane gets to the gate to actually open the cabin doors and begin moving. It always seems too long a wait!
CF: What is your favorite kind of trip (preferences, romantic, city, beach etc)?
MH:I like places that offer a whole lot of different things to do, history, outdoor activities, and a chance to savor food and drink unique to that region. I need to keep active, and don’t really want to sit on the beach with a big drink. I want to meet people and find out about why they like living there.
CF: Best destination you have ever been to and why?
MH: I have been to New Zealand three times and each time it edges out other destinations because of the people, the striking landscapes, and because of the fun things to do there.
CF: Where in the world offers the best value for money?
MH:South America and Central America are fabulous, as is Laos, Cambodia and parts of Thailand.
CF: What is the best airport you have flown from and is there a tip to make this airport experience great?
MH: I love Amsterdam Airport Schiphol because they have these big easy chairs you can actually sleep in and some good restaurants, I also like the used bookstores in Milwaukee and Portland airports. Oh, and there’s a bike path you can take if you want to bike to Portland’s airport too!
CF: When you fly, is there a tip you can share to make the experience a great one?
MH: I think that bringing an iPod or iPhone with headphones is great to make the stress go away, or if you have an inquisitive seat-mate you might not want to have to talk to. I also think bringing baby wipes to clean off the TV screen and surrounding surfaces makes sense if you want to avoid getting someone else’s cold.
CF: If you have two people next to you on a plane, who you most want to share a long haul with?
MH: On my right, even though she probably never flies in coach, Oprah Winfrey would be lots of fun to chat up. And on my left would be inventor Dean Kamen, who created the Segway Scooter and has a skunkworks in Manchester NH where they do amazing things.
CF: If there was one travel nightmare trip, where would it be to and what would it involve?
MH: I think a travel nightmare trip would involve long periods of airport delays, cancelled flights and of course lost luggage. Perhaps a second scenario would involve traveling some where that just had a revolution and they’re suddenly very anti-American.
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.
