Christine Amorose quit her job in high-tech PR to soak up the sun and see the world. After six months on the French Riviera, a month gallivanting around Europe and a few months recharging in Northern California, she’s currently surfing and kangaroo-watching in Australia. Check out her adventures at C’est Christine and on Twitter at @camorose.
Cheapflights: What’s your routine when you fly?
Christine Amorose: Charge my iPod, iPhone and MacBook Air. Triple check to make sure I have my passport, ticket and wallet. Empty out my Klean Kanteen before going through security. Splurge on a latte. Find a charging station and get some work done before boarding. And then be the last one to board – I don’t want to be stuck in that seat any longer than I have to!
CF: What is your biggest travel pet peeve?
CA: Overstuffed carry-on bags that barely fit in the overhead compartment. Checking a bag isn’t the end of the world!
CF: What kind of trip type do you prefer?
CA: I love visiting a new city with a beach! My ideal day would be waking up early to visit museums and historical sites in the morning, relaxing on a sunny beach in the afternoon, indulging in local specialties for dinner and then snuggling up with a good book and getting plenty of sleep.
CF: Although it’s hard to choose, tell us what your favorite destination is.
CA: I fell in love with Corsica. It’s a different side of France than what most people think: it’s more rugged than chic. The beaches are beautiful, the food is hearty and the people are affable – and everyone speaks French! For a friendly Francophile with a fondness for the outdoors, it’s ideal.
CF: Cheapflights is all about value. What location do you think offers the best value for travelers?
CA: Budapest is an undiscovered gem in Eastern Europe. It’s not yet overrun with tourists, and the Turkish baths are a really authentic and awesome way to spend the day. Plus, that Hungarian goulash is absolutely delicious and pretty cheap!
CF: What is your ideal airport, and what’s your advice on how to best enjoy it?
CA: I’m partial to my hometown gateway: Sacramento International Airport. It may be tiny, but it’s got charm! I especially love the vintage suitcase art. There are rarely weather delays since we don’t get snow or thunderstorms. It has free, fast Wi-Fi and plenty of charging stations. Parking is cheap and easy to access, and it’s only 10 minutes outside of downtown. I love embarking on a new adventure from here and the sweet comfort of coming home!
CF: If you had to sit in the middle seat on a plane, who would be your chosen (or most-feared) seat mates?
CA: As long as they fit in their seat and don’t bother me, I really don’t care who sits next to me. I’m pretty anti-social on flights – it’s my chance to zone out with new music or a good book!
CF: What would you classify as a hypothetical travel nightmare?
CA: Having a flight canceled in the middle of a white-out snowstorm and being stranded in the airport a.k.a the Christmas Blizzard of 2010. I’ve never had a flight canceled and I’ve never been in a blizzard. Call me a California girl at heart, but I’m not itching to experience either any time soon.
CF: How does what you do for a living give you a unique angle on traveling?
CA: Being a writer means I’m always on the lookout for experiences to share with my readers. Even a bad experience is usually something to write about, which makes it a lot easier to laugh about it after the fact.
CF: Share with us a few insider tips on how to improve the in-flight experience.
CA: My trick to sleeping easily on long flights is to schedule ones that leave in the late afternoon or early evening, drink a bit of wine with dinner and take a Tylenol PM. I watch a movie, and then I’m out! I always bring my own eye cover and earplugs, just in case.
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.
