Formerly a documentary filmmaker and photographer, Rick LaRocca is an adventure traveler and surfer, and Head of Content, Editorial and Business Development at Tripline.
Cheapflights: What are your personal routine procedures every time you fly?
Rick LaRocca: First, I always create an itinerary using Tripline ; ) If I’m traveling internationally I check my passport, make sure it’s up to date and see if there are any visa requirements. I don’t like to rush so I start packing a few days leading up to my travel day. I get all of my electronics together – lap top, phone, chargers, etc. and update any music, books or videos on my iPhone so I can avoid having to pay for entertainment fees that seem to be cropping up on a lot of the carriers. Next, I make sure I’ve got a ride to the airport, leaving plenty of time to deal with check in and security. I like to have sufficient time to jump through all the hoops at the airport so I won’t get stressed out. Once I’m through security and depending on how much time I have and how long my flight is I’ll check out the food options and consider getting something to take on the flight. Then I check in on my Tripline mobile itinerary to let my friends and family know that I’m on time or delayed.
CF: What is your biggest travel pet peeve?
RL: My biggest peeve, at least in U.S. airports, is the culture of “us against them” that has developed between travelers and the security apparatus. It seems this is becoming a pervasive attitude throughout the travel community and it really needs to stop. We all understand the need for thorough security procedures in this day and age but this does not mean that we need to start treating each other with any less respect on both sides of the aisle.
CF: What kind of trip type do you prefer, and why? (Examples: beach vacations, city breaks, spa weekends)
RL: This really depends for me. I’ve been on everything from expeditions to relaxing trips on far flung beaches. I love surfing so if I can include it on any trip, I am happy as can be.
CF: Although it’s hard to choose, tell us what your favorite destination is, and why.
RL: One of my favorites recently is the islands of Fernando de Noronha off the northeastern coast of Brazil. This is one of the most relaxing and beautiful places I’ve visited in a long time. The government only allows a fixed number of people on the island at any one time so crowds are almost never an issue. The area is designated a marine reserve so the environmental guidelines are quite strict, resulting in some of the most incredible diving and surfing in Brazil. When you go exploring around the island it’s inevitable that you’ll find yourself wandering an empty beach or hiking to an incredible overlook with no one around. The main island isn’t very big so I always got the being on a giant ship as the weather would change quite rapidly. It’s a unique place and worth the effort to get there. It isn’t the cheapest of destinations but you can find some reasonably priced pousadas (family run bed and breakfasts) that provide all you’ll really need for your stay. If you want to go high-end, there are some really great options as well.
CF: Cheapflights is all about value. What location do you think offers the best value for travelers?
RL: In my opinion I think Central and South America as a whole offer travelers great value. There is such a wide variety of places both culturally and geographically to visit that it really allows you to pick and choose your adventure. The lodging options span the gamut as do the food choices. The fact that a majority of the countries speak a common language makes travel to multiple destinations less daunting for most travelers.
CF: What is your ideal airport, and what’s your advice on how to best enjoy it?
RL: My ideal airport is the one where I can deplane and be surfing within the hour.
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?
RL: I would have to say my fiancé and a good friend would be my ideal seat mates. Why? Because she is awesome : ) And her superpower is to not leave things on the plane or in the airport. Without her I think I’d have to buy a new iPhone every couple of trips. Friends are always good seatmates because you tend know each other well enough that small talk is never an issue.
CF: What would you classify as a hypothetical travel nightmare?
RL: Being alone and getting violently ill during a trip and ending up in a hospital where I don’t speak the language.
CF: How does what you do for a living give you a unique angle on traveling?
RL: Having had the opportunity to see Tripline develop from an idea to a fully functioning website with a growing community of travelers has been an incredible experience. I’ve been able to interact with people all over the world and see where they travel and how they experience the different places they visit. I am still amazed by how open people are about sharing their lives with us. I consider it a great privilege to have helped give them a venue to share these stories that so often become seminal memories in their lives.
CF: Share with us a few insider tips on how to improve the in-flight experience, in general.
RL: I don’t necessarily consider myself an insider but I would say that the best tip I can give for improving your in-flight experience is to be polite and kind. If you want to avoid the stressful minefield of modern day travel it’s probably best to do it with a smile on your face and a kind word…not that I’m always able to pull this off but I try.
Read more about Rick’s company, Tripline, on “Social apps make group travel a breeze”.
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.
