Journalist, Author & Syndicated Columnist
“Many of the winemakers crush the grapes in the streets in front of their houses,” says David Baker, the author of “Vintage.” “They make the wine in their basements.” Where is this magical place that only seems to exist on “I Love Lucy”? Read my interview with the Oregonain to find out.
“A lot of people only think about five or six national parks, but there are more than 400 national parks across the country,” says Will Shafroth, president and CEO of The National Park Foundation. “A few examples: are the Pullman National Monument in Illinois, the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site in Georgia and the Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park in California.”
“Pretty Girls” author Karin Slaughter has a zest from travel. She says, “I do find that when I’ve done something unusual on a trip, like swim with the sharks in Australia or sit in a sauna in Finland, then jump naked into the iced-over Baltic, that it has given me an appreciation for the comforts of home. Nothing makes you love fried chicken and a warm biscuit even more than eating limp meat from a roadside stand in Croatia.”
“I’ve been really fortunate to get to see a good part of the world through dance,” says choreographer and dancer Travis Wall, 28. “One of my favorite places was Australia, which just felt like home. It was one of the nicest places and the people were so nice to Americans! I’m really looking forward to touring there next year.”
Cousins Anthony Carrino and John Colaneri are the hosts of the HGTV television series “America’s Most Desperate Kitchens.” Based out of New Jersey, Carrino, 36, and Colaneri, 34, travel constantly for work. Despite this, they say that they still enjoy traveling for fun. Carrino just returned from a motorcycle trip around Italy. And Colaneri says he looks forward to taking another road trip, like the kind he took as a kid with his parents. “Experience and do as much as you can while traveling,” Colaneri says. “This is the time to get adventurous and immerse in the culture.”
Kelly Clark is a four-time Winter Olympian (2002 through 2014) who has won a gold medal and two bronze medals. The halfpipe specialist has said that if she stays at the top of her game, she would love to represent Team USA at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea.
“There’s nothing like the Olympics,” she says. “The Salt Lake City Games was such a memorable experience. For me, winning the first gold medal for the United States on U.S. soil was a big moment in my career.”
“My favorite memories are of my children and my husband walking along the beaches searching for seashells and sea creatures,” says “Entertainment Tonight” host and Evine fashion designer Nancy O’Dell. “It seems so simple, but we do this on every Hawaii or beach trip and we love it. It just makes me happy to think of it. I could probably make 10 scrapbooks alone of all the beautiful things from nature we have found on the beach.”
“On so many levels, my dream trip still remains South Korea,” says “Top Chef” winner and “36 Hours” host Kristen Kish. “When my time is right, it will happen. I’m not quite ready yet, but it doesn’t keep me from thinking about exploring the place where I was born.”
An avid traveler, model and author Carol Alt says that there are still a few key places on her bucket list. “I’ve never been to the Far East,” says Alt. “I’ve been offered many trips there, but the moment was never right. I think it would really be worth it to go there one day.”
“The first trip I took with my family was to Disney World and I absolutely loved it!” says actress Tamera Mowry. “I was 16 years old and we did the Mickey Mouse Club tour and I got to meet Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake and Christina Aguilera. I hope to share a Disney experience with my family in the coming years. It’s such a fun and exciting trip for the whole family!”
“China Rich Girlfriend” author Kevin Kwan has traveled the world, but he says that London reminds him of home. “I live in Manhattan and this summer marks my 20th year as a New Yorker,” says Kwan. “But London has a strong kinship to New York. They are both cosmopolitan cities overflowing with history and culture and yet completely focused on modern life. The tea and scones are much better in London, though.”
“I had been to Ireland with my family many times,” says Chicago-based TV personality Colleen Kelly. “I just knew that I had to kick off my travel show with an episode about this special place. I wanted people to see how family-friendly Ireland can be. Also, I wanted people to see some of the surprises, like the culinary scene, which has been revolutionized over the past 20 years.”
More than two decades ago, Cheryl Della Pietra worked as Hunter S. Thompson’s editorial assistant. Her job description included late-night partying with the famous author and ensuring that he typed up a page each evening to turn into his publisher. In her lively debut novel, “Gonzo Girl,” Della Pietra writes about a young Ivy League graduate who will only get paid if her boss, gonzo journalist Walker Reade, completes the book he owes his editor.
“I’m so thankful that I got to travel from a relatively young age,” says “True Dective” actress Abigail Spencer. “Travel is the only way to get empathy for other people’s mindsets — to know their struggles and what they’re drawn to.”
Besides acting, Nicole Ari Parker co-founded Sophie’s Voice Foundation (www.sophiesvoicefoundation.org), to raise awareness for global health and wellness initiatives in multicultural communities. The fashionista also created Save Your Do, a stylish headband for women who work out.
“Traveling opens your eyes to different cultures,” says “UnREAL” actress Constance Zimmer. “I have learned that there are many, many people living in countries with so much less than what we have and they sometimes seem much happier (than us).”
“I strongly believe that traveling allows you to discover new opportunities, not only professionally, but also at a more personal level,” says DramaFever co-founder Suk Park. “Previous to starting DramaFever, I worked for an American media company that allowed me to travel extensively, mainly throughout Asia. It was then that I discovered the popularity of Korean dramas throughout the entire continent. I could be in Taipei, Tokyo, Singapore or Kuala Lumpur and at least one broadcaster dedicated their primetime television to a Korean drama.”
Skier Mikaela Shiffrin, 20, born and raised in Colorado, is already an Olympic gold medalist and the youngest slalom champion in Olympic alpine skiing history. “I travel mostly for skiing and feel so lucky to get to do that,” she says. “In Europe, I will have a couple days off from training and my mom and I will just kind of pick up and go to Salzburg or Innsbruck. It’s fun to go into the city and enjoy the scenery.”
Musician Rick Braun says, “I speak some German, but I can be lost. A third-grader can leave me in the dust. I was the MVP of the Rod Stewart tour in 1989, though, when we got to Germany ‘cause I could communicate. I was the hero. “
“We were lucky enough to grow up in a house where both parents were into cooking,” says DavidFung. “I’d definitely hop on a flight back to Seattle for some steamed salmon fish and Dungeness crab real quick.” His brother, Andrew, adds that he would love to revisit the Gum Moon Ting restaurant in Hong Kong to devour the xiao long bao dumplings.