#53: Award-winning travel journalist Brandon Presser shares advice on choosing accommodations, critical factors to consider when planning a trip, his top travel hacks, and his favorite off-the-beaten-path points of interest. He also discusses his traveling philosophy and shares his top lesser-known travel destinations! Brandon Presser (@brandpress) is a freelance features writer and travel expert. He’s written 50+ travel guidebooks, contributes to numerous influential publications, and can be seen on Bravo's television series, Tour Group where he led a group of eclectic travelers around the world. He recently released his latest book: The Far Land. Full show notes at: https://allthehacks.com/best-trip-brandon-presser Sponsor Deals Daffy: Free $25 to give to the charity of your choice Gelt: Skip the waitlist on personalized tax guidance to maximize your wealth Selected Links From The Episode All the Hacks Newsletter: Sign Up Connect with Brandon Presser: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Website Brandon’s Work: Latest Book: The Far Land Guidebooks Articles Published Bravo’s Tour Group Where to Travel in 2022 Photo of Juxtaposition in Kyrgyzstan Brandon’s Hospitality Jobs: Maître d’ at Nobu Butler @ The Plaza Hotel Deckhand on a Luxury Yacht Commercial Flight Attendant Private Jet Flight Attendant Vegas High Roller Suite Manager Honeymoon Planner Madagascar Club Sandwich: Le Pavillon de l'Emyrne Japan Recommendations: Yanaka Kanazawa Kaga Hot Springs Shikoku Setagaya Shimokitazawa (Bear Pond Espresso) Daikanyama (Tsutaya Bookshop) Jiyugaoka Book mentioned: Happy Money: The Science of Happier Spending Travel Shoes: Palladium Iceland Recommendations: Snaefellsnes Peninsula Hotel Egilsen Full Show Notes What most people get wrong about the way they travel and plan vacations (1:25) Advice about travel planning and critical factors to consider (1:59) What's so fulfilling about authentic travel (4:04) Why having a ‘checklist’ may not result in the most meaningful travel experience (5:28) The most effective (and non-insulting) ways to show generosity while traveling (9:27) Authentic travel experience versus a ‘commercial vacation’ (10:44) A career as a fixer and advice for finding a trip planning guide (13:36) Writing guidebooks for Lonely Planet (16:10) How social media has changed travelers’ need for guidebooks and review sites (18:11) The importance of using your instincts, hotel concierges, and online resources (21:14) Having stayed in 3,000+ hotels, Brandon offers advice on what to look for in a ‘nice’ hotel (27:02) “I don't want people to skimp on a crappy Q-tip. I want a good Q-tip.” (29:39) Using a quality rating metric of club sandwiches! (29:51) Why Japan, as a destination, is always at the top of Brandon's list (32:20) The downsides of a career in travel writing, and even living in incredible places (37:43) Favorite luggage and travel footwear (39:32) Finding the balance between taking photographs and being fully immersed in your travel experience (41:48) “I don't want a photo that someone's already taken a better version. I want to capture my moments of serendipity, that's what I use photography for" (43:50) Brandon distills his favorite travel hacks (44:00) Alternative cost-effective travel locations (45:42) Brandon’s bucket list of travel destinations (54:08) What constitutes a true ‘visit’ for the purpose of country counting (56:51) Working high-end hospitality jobs at Nobu, The Plaza, and Barneys (57:21) Brandon on his search for ‘Eloise moments’ (01:00:41) Top tips and tricks from years in travel service (01:03:51) How carrying tokens of gratitude can affect your travel experience (01:07:54) The Far Land: 200 Years of Murder, Mania, and Mutiny in the South Pacific (01:10:06) Travel Recommendations for Iceland and Japan (01:15:40) Connect with All the Hacks All the Hacks: Newsletter | Website | Facebook | Email Chris Hutchins: Twitter | Instagram | Website | LinkedIn