The Favourites of Mathias Hevert
Mathias Hevert is a 44-year-old German/Swiss entrepreneur and philanthropist based in Berlin, Germany at the time of the publication of this article.
How many countries have you been to?
84 (number as of July 1st, 2021)
How many days have you approximately travelled?
1,000
What are three of your favourite countries, and why?
I love surfing, which is why I am always drawn to the coastline of the Atlantic, Pacific or the Indian Ocean.
Spain
I love Spain, the festive culture of the Spanish, their language, the architecture and the beaches.
Australia
I love Australia, their beach culture, Sydney and the relaxed attitude of the Australians.
USA
While I am not a fan of US imperialism, libertarianism and gun laws, I am drawn to New York City, Southern California and Florida and try to travel to one of these places once every two years.
Are there any countries you don’t enjoy travelling?
While I really enjoy the excitement of travelling through the poorer countries of Sub-Saharan Africa, I am usually very happy to leave the African hustle and bustle behind after a week.
What are three of your favourite cities, and why?
Berlin
My adopted home town, with its exciting history and architecture, its diverse international and open-minded citizens, its vibrant art scene and nightlife and the many surrounding. lakes.
Sydney
The most beautiful seaside metropolitan city in the world, with its spectacular topography, its relaxed citizens, world-class dining and nightlife and surfing beaches.
Cape Town
For its diverse culture, multiple micro-climates, its neighbourhood markets and its great surf spots.
What are three of your favourite hotels or places you’ve stayed, and why?
Selina Lapa, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
With its perfect central location and its rooftop parties.
Soho House Shoreditch, London
For its great rooftop pool and for mingling with the hip London crowd.
BackPackers Hawaii, Haleiwa, United States
Where I spend a few fabulous days with great people.
What are the three worst places you’ve stayed?
A hut in a village along the road in Guinée, Conakry, after a car breakdown.
A picnic hut on Long Island, USA, after a bike trip without a sleeping mat or bag or insect repellent.
A random hostel with cockroaches in Mumbai, India.
What are three of your favourite restaurants, and why?
Harbor House, Kalk Bay, South Africa, for the spectacular view and fresh food.
Quilla, Cádiz, Spain for the atmosphere, the view and their Gin & Tonic selection.
Tandana, Quito, Ecuador, for their great selection of vegan food.
What are three of your favourite travel moments, and why?
River Tubing in Khao Sok National Park, Thailand.
Arriving in Vladivostok after 72 hours non-stop on the Transsiberian train.
Enjoying a glass of duty-free champagne with glacier ice with my wife in Kulusuk, Greenland.
What are three of your worst travel moments, and why?
Getting mugged at night in Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro.
Being eaten alive in the evening by sand flies in Silver Sands, Barbados.
Breaking my surfboard in overhead surf in Danang, Vietnam.
What are three of your best travel tips?
Book authentic tours etc. by locals through Airbnb experiences.
Get an Ibis business card for 90€/year and profit from gold member status upgrades and discounts in all Accor group hotels.
American Express platinum cards offer great benefits for travellers like priority airport lounge pass, hotel and rental car gold status memberships and a great travel insurance package.
Do you have any little known travel tips?
Visit developing countries when you’re young and single – and first-world destinations for travelling as a couple or family or in your senior years.
Tuesday is often the cheapest day for flying.
Garment bags are a flexible way for extra luggage on flights.
Always rely on sleeping pills on overnight trains.
