ArcaMax

A. Paris, Venice, San Francisco, Boston and Burlington (Vermont).

Q. Where have you traveled to that most reminded you of home?

A. The last two years I've raced in Pucon, Chile, and it reminded me so much of growing up in Maine, being uninhibited as a kid and running around creating the most amazing and memorable experiences. There is a real sense of freedom and unbridled adventure and creativity in Pucon. It is a wonderful place to go.

Q. Where would you like to go that you have never been to before?

A. I really want to go to Namibia and South Africa, Morocco, Turkey, Papua, New Guinea, Thailand and India. Those are on the top of my list.

Q. When you go away, what are some of your must-have items?

A. Bose noise-canceling headphones, which are a must for flying, compression socks, my water bottle, a bar of Dove soap, sunscreen, Trader Joe's raw almond butter, raw oats, my Shimano video camera, Clif Builder's bars and Kit's Organic bars for snacks. (Shimano and Clif are two of Piampiano's sponsors.)

Q. What would be your fantasy trip?

A. I don't do well just sitting on a beach and doing nothing. I like adventure and relaxation, so going to places where there is the opportunity for new experiences is what excites me. I'd love to do a bike trip across Europe, followed by a week or two in Portugal or sailing off the coast of Turkey. I'd also love to go trekking in Asia with a boat trip scheduled in Indonesia afterward.

Q. What is your guilty pleasure when you're on the road?

A. I have a true love affair with pizza and ice cream and I like seeking out the best local joints and giving them a go. It is a pleasure for me to experience that! I also really enjoy drinking local regional beers specific to the area I am in.

Q. What is your best and worst vacation memory?

A. One of my favorite memories was being in Lienz, Austria, at the top of a hike in the Dolomites. There was a lodge up in the mountains and I was there with my cousin, his wife and my boyfriend at the time. We sat up there, each drinking a beer, looking out onto one of the most spectacular landscapes. It was amazing. My worst memory is when I was in high school, I went to Slovakia to the village that my grandmother was born and grew up in. The airline lost my luggage and for a week I was wearing the same clothes. I was jet-lagged, cranky and in an environment I was unfamiliar with. I just remember struggling with that. It truly wasn't that bad, but as a teenager I was miserable. These days, I go with the flow, making the best of things.

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Jae-Ha Kim is a New York Times bestselling author and travel writer. You can respond to this column by visiting her website at www.jaehakim.com. You may also follow "Go Away With..." on Twitter at @GoAwayWithJae where Jae-Ha Kim welcomes your questions and comments.

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