Go Away With Olga Fonda
A. A good, fun companion (or group) makes a huge difference when traveling. I am not the biggest fan of traveling solo because I love being able to share the experience with a friend or loved one. Also, I always make sure that the person I am traveling with is open-minded and flexible.
Q. Have you traveled to a place that stood out so much that you felt compelled to incorporate it into your work?
A. With every place you travel, you get to see and experience new things. I believe the knowledge I've gained from traveling helps me become a better actor and more well-rounded. Being an actor in Hollywood can be wonderful, but often times you find yourself in a bubble. It's great to be able to travel to different countries and experience other cultures and to truly see reality -- real struggles, happiness and emotions. Morocco was an eye-opening experience for me. I've traveled through some wealthy areas, as well as some poor ones, but Morocco really stood out. Their outlook on life was so inspiring. I will never forget that experience.
Q. Where are your favorite weekend getaways?
A. My latest obsession is dirt biking. We go to California City -- they have beautiful trails and it's a great community. Lots of fun! I also love going to the beach. The ocean is so beautiful and powerful. It really puts things in perspective and it's a great reminder on how small you are in this world. It keeps me grounded.
Q. Where is the most romantic destination?
A. I absolutely love France! I went there a few years ago and traveled through Paris and its outskirts, Normandy and Brittany. It was amazing to be able to visit these historical spots. I enjoyed shopping in the local stores, eating the food and sharing our chateau with strangers. I met some extraordinary people over a cup of coffee and a croissant. It was a magical experience.
Q. If you've ever gone away for the holidays, which was the best trip?
A. I love Austria in the wintertime. There are a lot of little ski towns and they have great ski trails! It's very charming. There are also lots of cute little pubs and restaurants to stop in and meet people. You can sing along with everyone and have a lot of fun!
Q. What are your favorite hotels?
A. My favorite hotels are the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco (http://www.fairmont.com/san-francisco) and the Four Seasons anywhere in Hawaii (http://www.fourseasons.com/hawaii). I also enjoy staying in boutique hotels that are full of character and charm.
Q. What is your favorite city?
A. I have so many favorite cities, but my absolute favorite in the United States is San Francisco.
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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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