Journalist, Author & Syndicated Columnist
“Railay Beach in Thailand is a stunning car-free peninsula in the Krabi region in the south of Thailand,” said “Virgin River” actor Marco Grazzini. “Turquoise water, white sand, towering limestone cliffs – it’s the usual breathtaking landscape that Thai beaches have to offer, and that would drop jaws on film. I’ve been in and around Thailand numerous times over the past 20 years and Railay really stuck out to me for the serenity that it has.”
“Thailand is huge, but I personally love Chiang Mai, Pai and the southern islands,” said indie rock artist Meaningful Stone. “Thailand is, how should I put it, a place where sacredness and partying coexist. And since I love both, it’s a place I really need.”
“As a kid, many times we used to visit Puerto Rico to visit our grandparents for Christmas and New Year’s,” said “Star Trek: Discovery” actor Wilson Cruz. “But the trip that I remember the most was when we drove from Michigan to California in a U-Haul and a car.”
When Alison Solis was growing up in Los Angeles, the Mexican-Cuban singer said she at times felt the sting of judgment from people who viewed her as too much of a minority, while some minorities said she presented as being too white. “I’ve definitely experienced the ‘go back to where you came from’ type of bullying as a kid,” said Solis, who simply goes by Alisun professionally.
“Chiang Mai is in the northern part of Thailand and it is one of my favorite places I’ve ever been,” said “The Lake” actress Madison Shamoun. “It’s a really affordable travel destination, but more than that some of the best street food can be found there.”
“Better Days” singer Jesse Palter says all her travels have taught her “that there’s a great big world outside of my little bubble, that there’s value in getting lost and that all roads lead back home.”
“We were able to enjoy our two-week honeymoon in Thailand without any complications,” says “Never Have I Ever” actress Richa Moorjani. “I don’t know when we’ll be able to travel again and I’m just so thankful we had the ability to go and witness some of the beauty of Thailand before coming home to a different reality (with the pandemic).”
Best known for his work with Emblem3, musician Drew Chadwick says he finds inspiration in his travels, which have taken him all over the world. But there’s no place like home for the 26-year-old “Pacific” singer. “I’ve done a pretty significant amount of traveling,” he says. “But nowhere has ever been as beautiful or held as much sentimental value as Washington State, which I consider to be home base number one.”
The “Pretty Little Liars” series finale is airing later this summer, but Shay Mitchell (who plays |Emily Fields) doesn’t have time to mourn. She has finished work on the horror film “Cadaver,” has plans to write a follow-up to her book, “Bliss,” and is working on Fullscreen’s reality series, “Shades of Shay.” Mitchell was born in Mississauga (near Toronto) to a Filipina mother (who is the cousin of Broadway star Lea Salonga) and an Irish-Scottish father.
“There’s nothing better than getting paid to see my country and connect with the fans who gave me a career,” says Iliza Shlesinger, host of TBS’ relationship-based game show “Separation Anxiety” and a former winner of “Last Comic Standing.” The savvy world traveler says she is up for going anywhere, anytime: “I’m a travel fiend. If I’m in love, I want to go to Paris. And if I want to eat everything and get lost in someone’s culture, I’ll take anywhere in Asia. I loved Cambodia and I can’t wait to go back to Japan. I also loved Europe.”
“I admit I really only travel to places that have strong culinary cultures,” says chef Judy Joo. ? Word!
Originally from Melbourne, Australia, designer Aimee Kestenberg moved to New York in 2007 to attend Parsons School for Design at the New School. “I am very proud to say that last year, I earned my U.S. citizenship!” says the 29-year-old entrepreneur. “(I return home) to Australia to be with my family during the holidays. It’s always really special and it’s summer time (there) during Christmas and Hanukkah!”
Actor Dominic Monaghan says he enjoyed one of his best meals in Bengaluru, India. “I arrived at a beach and a gentleman asked me if I was hungry. I told him I was. He told me to go swim in the ocean and when I got back, he would have food. I watched him from the sea build a fire and make some bread. By the time I’d returned, he had made me a fantastic spicy chicken tikka and fresh naan bread. It was the best meal I’ve ever had and it cost me about $2.”
When asked for a unique destination that he would recommend, “Expedition Unknown” host Josh Gates says, “Cuba. Go right now and you’ll see Havana as it existed 50 years ago — classic cars, sleepy streets and music in the air. Go in five years and there’ll probably be an Applebee’s where (Ernest) Hemingway used to drink.”
Born in San Jose, Calif., and currently residing in Manhattan, scientist Michio Kaku enjoys traveling with his wife. “One of my favorite places is Germany,” says Dr. Kaku, 63. “In its glory days prior to World War II, it was ranked No. 1 in science and is known as the place that gave birth to modern quantum theory. For a scientist, it’s about as close as you could get to a sacred site.” A leading theoretical physicist, Kaku is the host of the Science Channel’s weekly “Sci Fi Science.
When Jennifer Knapp decides to take time off, she really goes for it. When the 36-year-old singer from Kansas wanted to reassess her life, she took seven years off and spent a good chunk of that time exploring Australia. She didn’t return to the United States until she was good and ready to start recording again. And she announced that she was gay.
The Wonder Girls’ single “Nobody” became the first song by a Korean group to ever hit the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The quintet, which splits its time between Seoul, South Korea, and New York City, performs its radio-friendly songs in Korean, English and Chinese. After touring with the Jonas Brothers, the Girls hit a string of smaller clubs earlier this year. Known simply by their first names, Yenny and Sun (both 21 years old) and 17-year-old Lim chatted about their favorite vacation spots. Like a true teenager, Lim admits she’s always on the lookout for “famous restaurants and landmarks.”
You’d think Keith Johnson — who spent his early years traveling around Europe with his art dealer father — would want to spend all his free time exploring boutiques and museums. “No,” says the 53-year-old star of “Man Shops Globe.” “I surprisingly am not a big shopper or museumgoer. New York fills my need for constant visual stimulation. I love the variety of sights and sounds. It also reminds me how big the world is and how I need to get out and see it.”
Venus Williams isn’t content with a slew of tennis trophies. She also is an entrepreneur and author. In her recently published book “Come to Win: Business Leaders, Artists, Doctors, and Other Visionaries on How Sports Can Help You Top Your Profession,” Williams interviews powerhouses such as Bill Clinton, Vera Wang and Denzel Washington and asks them to discuss how their background in sports helped them excel in their chosen professions.
Born in Kalamata, Greece, Yanni moved to the United States to attend the University of Minnesota when he was 18 years old. Though he earned a degree in psychology, the self-taught musician decided to pursue music as his career. “I didn’t know any better back then,” he says, laughing. “I’m not sure it was the best thing to do, but it was what I needed to do. I have always just loved music.”