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Frequent Flyer: Glenyce Johnson, CEO Peregrine Adventures

What do you always pack in your hand luggage?
I always pack a pair of industrial-strength ear plugs so I can get a good night's sleep, whether I’m on a plane or in a noisy hotel room.

What is the one thing you could never travel without? 
I never leave home without my walking shoes so I can take an early morning walk wherever I am to clear my head and stay fit.

Favourite destination?
My favourite continent has got to be Africa. In 1989, I travelled on the back of a truck from London to Victoria Falls, traversing 25 countries along the way. This trip turned out to be one of the most enlightening experiences of my life.

In-flight distractions?
I always take an autobiography so I can immerse myself in someone else's world while I am getting to my destination. 

Travel tips?
The old tip of halving the clothes you pack and doubling the money you take is very handy. And it's sometimes a good idea to send your postcards when you return - they arrive more quickly, it saves time queuing in post offices and no one ever seems to notice the local stamp.

Best trip ever? 
It is difficult to go past Antarctica. I felt privileged to be visiting such a remote place and one of my favourite days was a barbeque out on the deck, enjoying Chilean wines and witnessing the world’s most magical ocean view, complete with whales breaching and icebergs as tall as New York skyscrapers.

Your one travel related regret? 
Not travelling to Israel in the 1980s to work on a kibbutz.

Trip you would most like to take? 
For many years I have had the urge to take the Trans Mongolian Railway from Beijing to St Petersburg. I'd love to take time to explore the villages and cities along the way and spend a couple of nights at Lake Baikal, the world's deepest body of fresh water, which, I'm told, is spectacular.

Favourite hotel? 
A hammock on a houseboat in the Amazon jungle in Brazil, quietly floating past three-toed sloths and caimen, with only the sounds of bird life to wake me gently in the morning.

Favourite restaurant?
In terms of ambience and a unique experience, there’s an old stone house in a small ghost-town outside Fethiye in Turkey that has been restored as a restaurant. Each night, the Kaya Wine House serves dinner for up to 20 guests, with local wine and dishes prepared according to the produce available each day.

Next destination? 
I will be doing a Peregrine adventure in Syria. I can't wait to explore the ancient sites, enjoy delicious Middle Eastern food and get to know the locals with the help of our Syrian local leader.

Biggest travel embarrassment? 
An upset stomach in Morocco. There were more people that knew about it than necessary.

Next big travel trend?  
We're finding that more and more of our clients are focused on travelling responsibly and interested in minimising the impact of their travels on local communities, the environment and the cultures of developing countries.

Person you’d most like to travel with?
Certainly the travel experiences I’ve shared with my wonderful partner are some of the highlights of my life, especially since we both like food and wine so much. However, travelling with my godsons, aged 13 and 10, has helped me see the world through their young eyes, which is amazing. 

This interview is an extended version of an article that appeared in the May 2008 issue of Australian Gourmet Traveller.