Journalist, Author & Syndicated Columnist
Rebecca Minkoff, whose line of handbags is a favorite with A-list celebrities, says though she enjoys a nice hotel with a luxurious spa, it’s also fun to “rough it a bit and carry everything you need on your back.” Though she could easily create a chic knapsack for herself, Minkoff says her practical side uses her Samsonite backpack, which she admits should work well for her for a few more trips.
“Traveling is a wonderful perk of my job,” says singer Al Jarreau. “I wouldn’t trade it for the world.” A recent tour took him to Seoul, Beijing, Shanghai, Manila, Bangkok, Hong Kong and Jakarta, but not Tokyo — one of his all-time favorite cities. The seven-time Grammy Award winner in jazz, pop and R&B is best known for his smooth hit singles “Never Givin’ Up,” “Moonlighting” and “After All” and his greatest hits album “Al Jarreau — The Very Best Of: An Excellent Adventure” will be in stores on Sept. 29.
British entrepreneur Richard Branson has been knighted, has assets worth several billion dollars and owns Necker Island in the Caribbean. The founder of Virgin Atlantic Airways also made an impact on pop culture by guest starring on such shows as “Friends” and “Baywatch.” So where does the man who has everything travel to when he wants to take an amazing vacation? South Africa. Branson, 59, loves everything about the country and looks forward to heading back there next year to watch the soccer championship.
He already has a Pulitzer Prize and a New York Times best seller under his belt, but author Jeffrey Marx isn’t resting on his laurels. His latest book — “The Long Snapper: A Second Chance, A Super Bowl, a Lesson for Life” — is a page-turner that succinctly captures the true-life story of football player Brian Kinchen. Marx, who has traveled to more than 20 countries for work and play, says that Italy is his favorite destination. But Greece is one country he can’t wait to visit.
Chris Isaak has had hit singles (“Wicked Game,” “Baby Did a Bad, Bad Thing”), acted in feature films (“Silence of the Lambs,” “The Informers,” “From the Earth to the Moon”) and toured the world. Now add talk-show host to his resume, as he interviews other musicians on the Biography Channel’s series, “The Chris Isaak Hour.” Born and raised in the Bay Area, the 53-year-old entertainer lived briefly in Tokyo when he was a college student.
Like its predecessors in the “Bring It On” franchise, “Bring It On: Fight to the Finish” focuses on a perky cheerleader who’s taken out of her comfort zone and ends up excelling in her new environment.