Journalist, Author & Syndicated Columnist
RuPaul talks to me about some of his travels, including his early trips: “Well, my father was a gambler. We lived in San Diego at the time. He’d take us down to the race tracks. He’d take us to Tijuana. I would’ve preferred to do something else at the time. But looking back, they were good memories.”
Surfer Alana Blanchard says the food in Sri Lanka was amazing: “We went to this town and went to this little restaurant that used to be a house and paid something like $2 for all-you-can-eat vegetables with spices. It was such a treat for me, because I’m vegan.”
“I’ve definitely taken favorite bits and pieces of the places I love and reworked them into the stories I write,” says Tahereh Mafi, author of the popular “Shatter Me” series. Her latest, “Ignite Me,” in stores now.
As John Hughes’ muse, Molly Ringwald starred in a trilogy of films (“Sixteen Candles,” “Breakfast Club,” “Pretty in Pink”) that sweetly encapsulated the teen angst of the ’80s. Now 45, Ringwald (who played the mother of the lead character in the series “The Secret Life of the American Teenager”) is also an author.
Julie Chu is the forward for the U.S. Women’s National Ice Hockey Team. A seasoned hockey veteran, the Harvard graduate is proud to be representing the United States at the Sochi Olympics, which will be her fourth Winter Games. Chu, 31 — who already has won a bronze and two silver medals — is hoping to win a gold medal this year.
On the Travel Channel’s “Dangerous Grounds,” adventurer Todd Carmichael scours the world looking for the best coffee beans to supply his high-end clients. His line of work ensures that he visits some beautiful, but also perilous destinations.
At 25, Nathan Adrian has already competed in two Olympics, where he won 3 gold (and 1 silver) medals. He’s a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley and wants to spend more time with his baby nephew. And, he looks like this. Ladies and gentlemen: meet the perfect man.
What does singer Rosanne Cash bring in her carryon? “Really good moisturizer, good headphones, a warm scarf — even in summer — for airplanes, a bag of almonds in my handbag in case there is no time for a meal and my phone.”
Iron Chef Cat Cora says she would advise people to travel to Greece: “I would tell them to visit Athens first and go to the many historical sites — Acropolis and Acropolis Museum, Olympic Stadium and the many other incredible sites spread throughout the city.”
Earlier this year, my husband said we should go somewhere nice this winter. I asked why? He just stared at me. Oh, yeah. It’s our 10-year wedding anniversary.
Famous for his documentaries “The Civil War,” “Mark Twain” and “Baseball,” among others, filmmaker Ken Burns has a new film ready to roll out in 2014: “The Roosevelts: An Intimate History.”
“Life is a road trip,” says celebrity chef Guy Fieri. “It’s a continuous process where the destination can be secondary. It’s fun and educational and is a great way to learn about your country.”
Three-time Olympian Kikkan Randall is prepared to represent the United States for a fourth Olympics.
“Traveling is good for the brain,” says musician Jonathan Butler, 52. “The mind needs it. I can’t imagine life without getting to see all the amazing, different parts of the world.”
Ed Viesturs climbed Mt. Everest, wrote a book about it and then talked to me about his treks.
“Frozen” actor Jonathan Groff says he was destined to be in a Disney movie. Read more to find out why!
“The world is a lot smaller now,” says Vicki Lawrence,” and travel unites the world.”
Born in Seattle, Wash., Maiara Walsh was 2 when she and her family moved to her mother’s native Sao Paulo, Brazil. In her tweens, she moved back to the United States to pursue an acting career. After roles on series such as “Desperate Housewives,” “Switched at Birth” and “Cory in the House,” the 25-year-old actress portrays Katniss Evershot in the feature film parody “The Starving Games.” “I love to travel and experience the culture and meet new people,” says Walsh. “I feel like I expand my mind every time I get on a plane to go somewhere new. Honestly? I can’t imagine life without travel.”
“Travel has always been such an important part of my life,” says Canadian astronaut Col. Chris Hadfield. “It has been wonderful to have been around the world multiple times and to have seen the whole thing. It has been one long whirlwind vacation.” Well versed in social media, Hadfield, 54, had a strong following of science fans before he went up in space. But he garnered the attention of millions of music fans when he released his rendition of David Bowie’s “Space Oddity” on YouTube, which was recorded from the International Space Station during his last mission earlier this year. The video went viral and earned kudos from no less than Bowie himself.
“The United States is a huge country (that in) many ways is like many countries within one,” says actor Judah Friedlander, who also hosts the Nat Geo WILD’s three-part series, “The Monster Project.” “I recommend visiting neighborhoods or cities in your own country that you would never visit. And try the cuisine that is specific to that city.”