Travel Style: S.C. Gwynne

Want to know how to travel in style, just like the pros? We check in with frequent fliers to find out how often they fly, their favorite destinations and what they never leave home without.

Name: S.C. Gwynne

Occupation: Journalist and historian

Hometown: New Canaan, CT

Residence: Austin, TX

College: Princeton University

College major: History

Website: scgwynne.com

Twitter: @scgwynne

Facebook: S.C. Gwynne

Short bio: I have recently published two bestselling books on American history, “Empire of the Summer Moon” and “Rebel Yell.” My new book, “Hymns of the Republic: The Story of the Final Year of the American Civil War,” is now available. I was a journalist for many years, working mostly for Time magazine and Texas Monthly.

How often do you fly? 20 times a year.

How many countries have you been to? 30

How many continents have you been to? 3

Favorite American city: Austin.

Favorite international city: Amsterdam.

Least favorite country: Russia.

I have no desire to go to: Russia.

Friendliest people in the world: Texas.

Country with the meanest immigration officers: Israel.

Favorite airline: Southwest.

Favorite aircraft type: 737.

Aisle or window: Window, though bladder issues on long flights are slowly changing this priority.

Favorite airport lounge: I don’t frequent such places.

Favorite U.S. airport: Austin, Texas.

Favorite hotel: Claridge’s in London.

Favorite cruise line: Windjammer, if they still exist.

Favorite travel credit card: VISA.

Favorite island: Martha’s Vineyard.

Favorite beach: Nobska Beach, Woods Hole, MA.

Favorite National Park: Big Bend.

Favorite fancy restaurant: Jeffrey’s in Austin.

Favorite hole-in-the-wall: El Primo Taco Stand in Austin.

Favorite bar: St. Regis Hotel, NYC. I started going there long before the entire universe found out about the Maxfield Parrish triptych.

Favorite fruit: Bananas.

Favorite food: Bbq.

Least favorite food: Octopus.

Drink of choice (in the air and on the ground): Maker’s Mark old-fashioned.

Favorite travel movie(s): National Lampoon’s Vacation with Chevy Chase.

Favorite travel book(s): Anything by Paul Theoroux. I also like Waugh’s “When the Going was Good.”

Right now I am reading: Mick Herron’s spy fiction.

5 things you bring on a plane: Books, writing paper, research materials, headphones, bagel with cream cheese.

What do you like least about travel? Early morning flights, connecting flights of any kind. I like to fly direct at 10:30am, thank you.

What do you want your loved one to buy you from an airport Duty Free store? Extremely expensive bourbon.

Worst travel moment: Flying through a violent thunderstorm on a G-5 with a bunch of execs who had a bad case of get-there-itis. It was terrifying.

What’s your dream destination? Patagonia.

Best travel tip: Get the FlightView app. It allows you to track your airplane.