With the World Cup in full swing life is even more action-filled than usual for TV sports presenter Gabby Logan. As well as coping with a busy home life - she has 11-month-old twins, Reuben McKerrow and Lois Maya, with former Scotland international rugby player husband Kenny Logan - the one-time international gymnast is also helping bring this summer's footie championship to our screens.
The striking blonde, who blazed a trail in the previously male-dominated world of football, is no stranger to the term frequent flyer. When she's not jetting from one soccer match to another, she's taking to the skies to keep up with family commitments.
As the on-pitch action and her own jet-set schedule heated up, Gabby shared her tips for making life on the move run more smoothly in this exclusive interview with BAA.
How often do you fly – to where, from where?"I am constantly on the go and fly up to three or four times a month, mainly from Heathrow flying to Milan, Madrid, Barcelona for the football and Leeds and Edinburgh for family."
How early do you get to the airport?"It depends – if on work I am quite last minute, but when on holiday or with the kids I get to the airport up to three hours before! I never have time to really let my hair down or do simple things like going shopping during the week, so when I travel I take advantage of the amazing shops and services at the airport and catch up with fashion!
"The best thing is being able to do lots and lots of spontaneous shopping and then buying a bag to carry it all in as well! It's like being on the high street. Last time I went on holiday I got so carried away at the airport I ended up buying a Bally holdall to fit everything in. "I love that I can spoil the family and myself with all the great bargains on offer. Also, the shop and collect service is amazing and www.baa.com/shopping is great for pre-planning my shopping which means more time for pampering before boarding my flight."
What do you do between check-in and departure?"I shop! I always go to WH Smith to pick up the newspaper and a couple of magazines, pop to Boots for a bottle of water. If I am on work and need a nice pen I head to Cartier - very indulgent but at tax free prices its practically a bargain! I also pick up some make up from World Duty Free."
How do you pack – light, everything? What do you include in your hand luggage? "I am a bad packer. When I go on holiday I pack everything! With work I'm better, as I try to pack light, have a better idea about what I am doing and where I will be going. Having said that, I always seem to have a lot of luggage!
"My hand luggage always includes my make up, a hairbrush, note pad and pen, Blackberry, photos of the kids which I keeping in my Asprey travel photo album which I got the last time I was in Heathrow, my Smythson diary and the latest thriller from Books Etc at the airport."
What about luggage? Do you have a favourite set?"I love Tumi! Their range is so versatile and compact. Their new store at the airport is fantastic and with great services such as Shop & Collect, I can pick up the new colours and styles, leave it at the airport, go off on my trip and collect it on my return ready to use when I next fly."
Any travel tips? "I recommend pre-planning your outfits and laying them out with your shoes and accessories - then trying to cut back on shoes and handbags! I also minimise my toiletries and buy travel size shampoos etc from WDF – I particularly like the new minis by Lancôme which you can get there."
Everyone has essentials they can't do without – what are yours? "I can't travel without my Smythson diary and E45."
And before you set off on hols?"I always have a St Tropez tan the day before I go to ensure I have some colour, plus a wax and pedicure. If I haven't had time for a manicure I head to the nail bar at the airport. I always find it hard to book in all my pre-holiday treatments so am very excited to hear that Rejuve Well-Being Club and Spa is opening this summer so I can have all my treatments before I fly."
How do you keep the twins occupied when you travel? Do you buy anything specifically for them?"Yes, we buy stuff for them in Boots and toys from Hamleys."
What about grabbing a bite or a drink before you fly?"If I'm travelling with Kenny we drop by the Champagne and Caviar bar. If we have the kids with us we go to Giraffe or the Tin Goose in Terminal 1.
"And I always stop at Starbucks for a latte! I try to have a sensible meal before boarding the flight but if I get too carried away shopping I take something on board from the Caviar bar or a sandwich from Prêt a Manger."
