Name – Kirsty Johnston
Workplace – NI Travel News
How long you been with them – I started working at Travel News at the end of August 2008, so I’ve been with them for almost 12 years now.
First ever job – Washing the dishes in Dorothy’s Fish & Chip Shop in Millisle. I started working there in the evenings and weekends when I was 13 for some pocket money. I never leave an unwashed teaspoon in the office sink… and it’s a pet peeve that my ‘wash your dishes’ signage in the office still gets widely ignored!
Best holiday destination – Scotland. I’ve been a fair few places now, but one place I go back to time and time again is Scotland. My husband and I even went there on our honeymoon. To me there’s nothing better than packing up the car and heading off to Scotland with the dogs. We spend our days exploring the wilds of the countryside and our evenings in front of the fire with a glass of wine and a cheeseboard (vegan of course!)
City break or sunshine – Citybreak. I do like to see the sunshine, but I’m definitely not a sunbather. I’m a fan of art, history and architecture and love exploring the hidden corners of a city – cute little restaurants, off-the-beaten track walking tours etc – sign me up for them all! Still can’t convince the Travel News team to do a Wee Toast Tour of Belfast with me.
Window or aisle plane seat – Aisle. I am not a great flyer. I breathe a sign of relief when plane is up to altitude and I can look down on those beautiful white fluffy clouds – but I only take a peak once or twice. The rest of my time in the air is spent with an eye mask on listening to an audiobook, so a window seat is pretty wasted on me.
Favourite airport – Belfast City. It’s small (no chance of getting lost), you can get through it pretty quickly and there’s plenty of great shopping and food and drinks options to choose from… but not so much that you spend all you time choosing where to eat and end up rushing down a sandwich from Boots because you’re about to miss your flight.
Dream / Ideal travel buddy – I enjoy solo travel (but suppose I have to say the husband). I make for a pretty selfish travel companion. I can be quite adventurous and if I’m with someone who isn’t I’m likely to just go off and do my own thing.
Somewhere you want to go that you haven’t been to – Korea. The nightlife in Itaewon is something I would love to experience… also the food – I’m a fan of Korean BBQ and kimchi. I also want to learn to open a soju bottle like a pro!
Favourite holiday drink – I like to try the local beers. Also the local spirits. Oh, and the local wines. Also the local cocktail specials…..
Favourite holiday food – All the food, all the time.
1 x travel tip – Be adventurous! I love to try new things, talk to new people and explore off the beaten track. If you don’t add a little adventure in your travels you won’t have so many great stories to tell!
Proudest moment in travel – Walking the Great Wall of China (travelled solo but walked it with a group of people for charity). It was one of the most fun and enjoyable trips of my life and we got to see so much of such a beautiful and historic country.
Favourite City – Beijing. This is an amazing and diverse city. I met some insanely skilled craftsmen and women in Beijing – from silk weavers and paper artists to musicians and martial artists. I did give the sugared crickets a miss though, but I had a lot of cheap beer and amazing street food. Small restaurants line the streets and the smells are so mouth wateringly good that you’ll not just want to stop at one. Try the fried bread dipped in soy milk for breakfast, you won’t be disappointed!
