KEY POINTS:
Do you travel light or heavy?
It depends. If I'm travelling for work, heavy, as the collection usually fills two to three 32kg suitcases. But if it's for leisure, as light as possible as I love to have some kilograms spare to collect treasures on the way.
Cattle
or first class?
Cattle I'm afraid, unless there is an airpoints upgrade.
I can't travel without ...
My cellphone.
What type of suitcase do you carry?
Nothing fancy, to be honest. I haven't made the investment as I find my suitcases are usually a wreck by the time they arrive back in Wellington.
What's always in your hand luggage?
My Canon camera, a sketchbook, a good novel and magazine.
Are you a planner or last-minute packer?
I would like to be able to say planner - but my husband would probably say last-minute packer.
What's the best thing you've brought back from a trip?
A Danish Globe 1960s light shade by Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen. It had to travel in the toilets from Auckland to Wellington as it was too big for the overhead locker!
Favourite or most exciting airport to land in?
Schiphol in Amsterdam. It's so easy to access anywhere in Europe from this airport. You can jump off the plane and straight on to a train, and customs is such a breeze. My husband Niels and I often land here when visiting his family in Germany. Within two hours of landing we have arrived in his home town.
Best travel tip?
We try to leave a lot of our holiday unplanned. It's great to just arrive somewhere and work it out on the way. We did this recently when we took a week out and travelled south of Brisbane after we finished our Australian selling.
Initially we thought we would stay around Byron Bay but ended up travelling inland to the national parks and found some quaint little villages with just the one general store. Sometimes spontaneity is the best way to go.
Most memorable trip?
I took a year out to travel in 1998. It was one of the best years of my life. I spent most of my savings but have fantastic memories. I went through South America, Greece, Turkey, India, Thailand, Australia and Africa. I left with a backpack as many New Zealanders do. It was quite indulgent and I remember in India the biggest task of the day was having to make a trip to the post office.
There is a great quote by St Augustine - "The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page." I did a lot of reading that year.
What do you do while on the plane?
I love to sit back with a glass of wine and watch movies. I usually get through at least three. I never seem to make it to the movies at home ...
Deborah Sweeney is a Wellington-based fashion designer.
