ArcaMax

A. Music. I will make a specific playlist for the trip. Books. Usually one for my bag and one for my suitcase, in case one gets finished. Moisturizer. Socks. You never know what kind of carpet you're going to get in a hotel room!

Q. What would be your dream trip?

A. A hut in the middle of the water in Bora Bora.

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

A. Popcorn. I can't leave home without a bag of it. If I'm in Europe, it's bread and cheese. And then more bread. Then some red wine. Repeat.

Q. What kind of research do you do before you go away on a trip?

A. TripAdvisor is my best friend. I could spend hours doing research. I like the travel community on there. Once you navigate your way around the website, you can get to the good stuff where the pro travelers go to chat! That's where you can find the real hidden gems. I enjoy the old school Rick Steves books, too. He can break down a European train schedule like nobody's business!

Q. What is your best and/or worst vacation memory?

A. My Mom, Dad and I rented a car and drove through France for two weeks. It was an epic adventure, starting from the beginning of the trip where we couldn't figure out how to start our diesel Citroen van. It felt more like a bus than a van. We stopped in these quaint little villages and drank local wine and walked through medieval castles. It was a very special trip for us. My parents are the best travel mates!

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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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