For McCool Travel’s 170th travel interview, I am pleased to present John Roberts of In the Loop Travel. John and I have been social media travel friends for a long time but have not met in person (yet!). I know he has been on over 50 cruises (WOW) and when seeing his travel photos I aspire to be in better physical condition.
John Roberts’ bio: “John Roberts is a freelance writer and operator of InTheLoopTravel.com. He writes about cruising and active travel, highlighting how people can connect with the world and other cultures through rewarding travel experiences.”
John Roberts of In the Loop Travel
HOMETOWN …
Rochester, New York—but I have lived in Utica, N.Y., Denver, Norfolk, Virginia, and now, Ewing, New Jersey
ALWAYS IN MY LUGGAGE …
My EC Power Bank portable charger is awesome. It is a big block, has multiple USB outlets, is powerful, and gives me piece of mind knowing that I can always recharge my devices no matter where I am.
3 FAVORITE HOME-AWAY-FROM-HOME PLACES …
Cancun and Las Vegas are places I like to just chill out, relax and rejuvenate and enjoy the sunshine. London is a favorite for sightseeing and just walking.
A FAVORITE TRAVEL MEMORY …
My river cruise last year in Cambodia and Vietnam with my wife, Colleen and her brother, Ryan, and his wife, Kelly. We had incredible experiences and met the most friendly people.
3 FAVORITE TRAVEL BRANDS …
UnCruise Adventures, Backroads, and AmaWaterways have been great to work with and offer fantastic active adventures, which I enjoy.
3 MONEY-SAVING TRAVEL TACTICS I USE …
- use credit cards that offer travel rewards—such as hotel stays and flight upgrades
- Airbnb is a big money-saver—you can find fantastic and unique accommodations in top destinations
- walk whenever possible to explore a new place—see more nooks and crannies and it helps you stay fit, too
3 WAYS THAT I HAVE FUN WHILE TRAVELING …
- bring along a friend
- chat with residents and other travelers to make new friends
- seek out the best local beers. (These three tactics work very well when employed together.)
8 WORD (OR LESS) TRAVEL MANTRA …
“Travel fit. Travel happy. Travel often.”
FAVORITE NON-TRAVEL WEBSITE …
Yahoo—a good one-stop portal for news, finance, and my fantasy sports leagues
MOST MEMORABLE SOUVENIR …
A hand-carved mahogany elephant purchased from the lady who was making them at a sanctuary for elephants in Myanmar.
FAVORITE CHEAP EAT …
The tacos and other goodies at the food stalls at Parque Las Palapas in downtown Cancun.
RECENT DISCOVERY …
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area just outside Las Vegas; it’s such a delightful natural wonderland so close to the Strip.
Thank you so much, John, for sharing your travel inspiration and tips.
Follow John Roberts on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter, and IntheLoopTravel.
McCool Travel presents tips from travel experts in our 5 Minutes travel interview series—featuring travel industry giants, super frequent travelers, and adventurous persons. Check out McCool Travel’s previous travel interviews. Previous 5 Minutes travel interview: Archana Singh.
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