Princeton Proust Questionnaire: Shirley Tilghman’s Travel Musts

“No It Ain’t, Yes It Is” by Brittney Boyd Bullock is at Tilghman’s favorite museum, The Phillips Collection, in Washington, D.C.

Painting: Brittney Boyd Bullock

“Retirement” is not a concept Shirley Tilghman has fully mastered. The former Princeton president and emeritus professor of molecular biology and public policy now spends a lot of her time on the road. She’s a trustee of both Amherst and Harvard and serves as vice chair of the Simons Foundation, which provides research grants in mathematics and the sciences. On top of that, she frequently visits New York City for theater and dinner with friends. She was packing for a summer vacation with family in Milan and Lake Como when PAW caught up with her. We asked Tilghman to share some of her travel secrets as well as her likes and dislikes.

How often do you travel for work and pleasure?

I travel for pleasure (with family) twice a year — once in the summer and once at spring break. For work, I travel about once a month.

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Tilghman

Photo: Sameer A. Khan h’21 / Fotobuddy / Princeton University

What is your travel uniform?

The major consideration is comfort — loose clothes unless I am traveling for work and have no time to change. The other major consideration is shoes that can go through airport security without causing a stir.

Do you prefer to check your bags or carry-on?

Carry-on always! I can travel for weeks with a single carry-on suitcase.

Do you have TSA PreCheck or Global Entry? Are they worth it?

Yes, I have both, as well as Clear. Anything that makes standing in lines slightly less irritating. TSA PreCheck is definitely worth it because there are fewer constraints on shoes and electronics. Global Entry was always much better, although I note that the international lines are now getting shorter with better technology. I am still deciding whether Clear is worth it.

What are your favorite airlines?

There is no such thing as a favorite airline. I travel almost entirely on United due to frequent flyer status and convenience through Newark Airport.

What is your favorite airport? Least favorite?

There is also no such thing as a favorite airport. My least favorite is a tie between Frankfurt — having to walk miles and miles between airlines — and Turks and Caicos, which gives a new meaning to the phrase “cattle car.”

Aisle or window seat?

Always an aisle. Nothing worse than being trapped in a window seat with someone asleep beside you — except maybe being trapped in a middle seat with two people elbowing you.

What do you prefer to do in-flight?

For overseas trips I am asleep by the time we reach cruising altitude. For domestic flights, I read most of the time.

Favorite vacation destination, and why?

London, U.K. Why do I love London? How do I count the ways? Yes, it's the teater. It's the many gorgeous parks I love to walk. It's the surprise you always get when you come out of the Underground to a new vista you haven't seen before. It's great friends who live there and it's fish and chips, which I ate weekly growing up, the kind you simply cannot find in the U.S. — halibut in berr batter, greasy, and delivered in old newspaper. A childhood obsession! 

Favorite out-of-town restaurant?

L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon in Paris.

Favorite museum?

The Phillips Collection in Washington, D.C. 

Are you a shopper? Is there a store worth planning a trip around?
No!

Are you a fan of room service? 
No.

Do you enjoy long car road trips? 
No.

Do you use any travel apps? Any favorites?
Tube Map - London Underground. 

How do you prefer to see the world?
My ideal trip is to one place, where I can unpack, walk the neighborhood (especially the parks!), and get to know the terrain. My worst nightmare is one-city-a-day for any length of time.