Meet the Mogul: Sir Richard Branson
Sir Richard Branson rides a vintage taxi in India to celebrate the launch of Virgin Atlantic's London flights to Mumbai. Photo by Crystal Meers.
Hometown: I was brought up in the countryside, and I love nature. I live on Necker Island, a tiny little island in the Carribean. I wake up every morning to the sea and the generally gentle breezes.
Occupation: I cut people's ties off. I climb trees and rescue cats. I like to think of myself as an adventurer, someone who loves a challange, and who can't say no.
Favorite destinations: I'm lucky. My favorite destination is actually home, the British Virgin Islands. There's no more beautiful place I've found in the world. Having said that, I love going to Africa, I love going skiing, I like Morocco, I love Australia, I love Bali, I love South America.
Dying to visit: The bottom of the oceans. They are completely unexplored. Single-man submarine going down. Lots of species down there. My very first adventure was breaking the transatlantic speed record. We're hoping to go into space next year together. It's lovely to share these advenutures with the kids.
Bizarre travel rituals: I love sports: kite surfing, tennis, skiing, surfing. In between active trips, I relax by being active. It keeps the batteries charged.
Always in carry-on: I carry a notebook everywhere I go. I like to keep notes of conversations.
Concierge or DIY? More DIY.
See it all or take it easy? See it all.
Drive or be driven? Drive.
Weirdest thing seen on travels: I've traveled in all sorts of different ways around the world. I've ballooned around the world, Mt. Everest, K2, The Atlas Mountains. I've seen the oceans and sailed across the Atlantic a few times. I've crashed in the ocean and been resuced by helicopter; I've sunk while sailing across the Atlantic trying to break a record (fortunately right near the end). I love adventures.
Best hotel amenity: I was really spoiled by the Taj Mahal Hotel in New Delhi — there was a butler in my room.
I dream about my meal at a Mexican restaurant where I was chatting up my now wife. There was a lot of hot spicy sauce, and she had to give me a big kiss.
Everywhere I go, I check out the less obvious places.
When I arrive in a new place, I learn the lay of the land by trusting interesting locals to show me around.
I always bring home something for the wife, usually Chanel No. 5.
If I never return to ___, it'll be too soon because___. (I can't think of anywhere that's particularly bad.)
I travel for the adventure.