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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." For more information on the cousins, check out their Facebook fan page at https://www.facebook.com/CousinsTV.

Q. What was the first trip you took as a child?

A. Colaneri: (It was a trip) with my parents, cross-country to 32 states. I was only 2 years old, so I do not remember a lot of it. But the pictures at the Grand Canyon, California and Texas are just priceless.

A. Carrino: The first trip I can remember was our annual camping trip up on Cape Cod in North Truro. My parents had an SUV so they would put the seats down, lay out sleeping bags and my brother and I would go to sleep at a normal bedtime in the back with all the gear packed around us. My dad would leave at 3 a.m. and we would sleep most of the way up. I would always wake up early and co-pilot with him for the last hour or so. Not only the first one, but all of these trips remain very close to my heart to this day. They were amazing trips spending quality time with family camping, fishing, going to beaches, bike-riding and four-wheeling. I still have my love of camping today because of these trips.

Q. What is your favorite vacation destination?

A. Carrino: Going to Italy is like going home for me. I grew up going there on business trips with my Dad, and even before that I learned to walk there as a baby when my parents were visiting friends. It is a very special place to me. The biggest thing I tell people is to not do too much. Embrace the culture, the people, the food, the city ... let it engulf you. Italy is not a place you want to run through to just hit the sites, there is so much more to it. Do fewer cities and really dive into the culture.

Q. What's the most important thing you've learned from your travels?

A. Carrino: People are people no matter where you go. You watch the news and there are always conflicts and countries on the danger travel list, but at the end of the day those are leaders who have problems with other leaders, for the most part. When you talk to people, they have the same fears, challenges, joys and families as we all do. Gaining that perspective is important to treat people with compassion and understanding. A perfect, simple example is when a tourist asks for directions in New York City. I always slow down and make sure to take the time to help them understand where they are going.

Q. Have you traveled to a place that stood out so much that you felt compelled to incorporate it into your work?

A. Carrino: I was in Istanbul two years ago and I have pulled a lot from that experience. Their use of pattern and textiles is incredible and some of their traditional shapes are quite different and very interesting.

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