With a background in marketing and advertising, Art has always loved planning the most amazing vacation for his wife and himself. But he didn’t stop there. Art has always seized the opportunity to help his friends and colleagues plan their own trips as well. This can mean only one thing. Having Art as your Travel Advisor, you’re in the best hands. And the JayWay family is happy to have welcomed yet another travel passionate member.

What's your favorite thing about traveling?

Getting a glimpse of what daily life is like in another part of the planet.

Why do you think it's important to travel?

Exposure to other cultures broadens one's perspective. And it's also a great social lubricant. Love trading travel stories with people, hearing where they've been and what they like to do.

What is your idea of a perfect vacation?

A new city, no rain, wandering around the neighborhoods, and finding a few nice local restaurants.

What do you consider to be the best finds from your travels and where was it?

Difficult to pick just one. For the sheer degree of difficulty, I would say the two chrome rocking chairs that we brought back from Cuba. Or of course every trip includes a good food-related find. I brought back some amazing olive oil from my time in Puglia and I wish I had made room for more bottles in my luggage. That was the good stuff.

What destination is at the top of your must-visit list?

Well, I have checked a lot off the list. But Japan is still out there. Hope to get there soon.

What was the most exotic dining or cultural experience you've had when traveling?

Las Parrandas, a Christmas Eve celebration in Remedios, Cuba, back in 2012. As for dining, it wasn't super exotic per se, but an outdoor dinner on the piazza during a local festival in Civitella d'Agliano, Italy (population ~1,500) was wonderful. Or the opportunity to visit a private gastronomic society in Hondarribia during our stay in San Sebastian.

What's something you always bring with you when you travel?

My wife. And a book.

Best advice for travelers to Europe?

Learn a few basics of the language if you can - at a minimum, it shows a bit of courtesy and interest in the local culture. And if you can really communicate in the local language, it opens up a whole lot more for you.

Mountains or beaches? Why?

Mountains. I start to melt in anything over 25ºC.

Planes, trains, or automobiles? How do you like to travel and why?

Cars. I always love to stop along the way for things that catch my eye. Restaurants, roadside artesanía, random vistas. But trains are a close second. I just toured a good chunk of Poland by train and found it very comfortable and convenient.

When you travel are you more interested in history, relaxation, cuisine, or adventure?

Cuisine, but not 5-star restaurants. I prefer local, small, casual places. And grocery stores. I love going to the snack aisle when visiting a new country. Using my recent Poland trip again as reference, I learned that paprika is a popular snack flavor there. Paprika Pringles. Paprika Cheetos. Little things like that delight me.