ArcaMax

A. There are too many to mention, but I've never been to Russia or any of the Baltic states. And I've never been to China, which I'd like to get to visit. There are many, many places I would like to see and I hope to have the time to visit more of them.

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

A. I went to Spain as a kid when my father moved there. We visited him for holidays. That was a wonderful time. To this day, I have a very soft spot for those memories.

Q. Are you good with navigating foreign languages?

A. (Laughs). No, not really. Thank goodness there are apps to help you with that.

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

A. That with travel, you can learn about other cultures and customs.

Q. Are you a photo junkie?

A. Not as much anymore. I try to be in the moment wherever I am.

Q. Where are your favorite weekend getaways?

A. We're very fond of Santa Barbara and Monterey. It's a very special experience driving up the coast.

Q. What was your first job overseas?

A. It was in the South of France. No, it was in Berlin for a film called "Maschenka" with Freddie Jones. I went to Berlin and Helsinki, which was really very beautiful. It was quite exciting to be young and working there.

Q. What do you bring with you on an airplane?

A. I put all of my books and music on an iPad. I do take a couple of hardcopy books with me as well so that I don't have to always read on a tablet. But I like to have plenty to read, especially for those times when there are delays.

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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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