Travel Tales: Bessie Hassan
Name: Bessie Hassan
Age: 32
Occupation: Head of PR at finder.com.au, soccer mum, reality TV lover.
Favourite travel destination?: Hawaii has always been a family favourite for my husband and me – there’s great shopping and beaches, it’s family-friendly, and the food and culture are amazing.
Worst travel experience?: Towards the tail end of my European honeymoon, we popped over to Cyprus to visit some relatives of my husband – and he accidentally deleted all our honeymoon photos straight from our camera!
Best tips for beating jetlag?: I’ve always said it’s important to drink lots of water. Keeping hydrated when adjusting to timezones is never a huge priority but it’s something everyone should do. Also, don’t just let yourself sleep as soon as you arrive at your destination. Rather, force yourself to adjust to the local timezone – your body will thank you for it!
What is the one thing you don’t leave home without?: Without sounding too basic, toothpaste and deodorant – especially for long distance flights.
Do you stay in touch with people while you’re travelling?: Yes, I definitely think it’s important to touch base with people from home when I’m away. WhatsApp is my favourite tool for this because it’s instant and easy, as well as being free. Also, I like that you can create group chats so you can relay messages to several people at one time.
Best meal you’ve ever had while travelling?: Can I cheat here and say everything? I loved everything I ate in Italy. From pasta, to pizza and gelato, I devoured the culinary delights on offer during my Italy trip of 2009.
Best/scariest/funniest drive?: In general, the drivers in Italy, and even Turkey, are insane. Every time you get in a cab you can’t help but fear for your life a little bit. They definitely don’t hold back.
What has been the big wow moment of your travelling life?: Visiting Topkapi Palace in Istanbul was amazing. From its breathtaking architecture to the relics from The Ottoman Empire, it has such strong historical and cultural significance and you can’t help but feel mesmerised by the grandeur that surrounds you.
What is your number one travel tip?: The value of travel insurance is often overlooked but I think it’s so important to get cover. I’ve experienced flight cancellations and delays before and it’s good to know you’ll be covered if the worst happens. Also, I’ve definitely learnt to always back up my camera.
What’s your best tip for travelling with children?:
Never go anywhere without snacks and water. Also, make sure kids are always wearing sunscreen. It’s so important to protect their skin.