Celebrity Travel: Go Away With Joanna Going

Asked to pick a favorite destination, Joanna Going didn't hesitate: Newport (Rhode Island), where she grew up. "When I was 18, I took it for granted and was eager to move on to the bigger cities like Boston and then New York," says the Los Angeles-based actress. "But I've been to enough places to have gained a greater appreciation for the beauty and rich culture of all of Rhode Island. I am grateful for all that it offered during my childhood." Going, 52, is one of the stars of "Kingdom," which airs on AT&T's Audience Network. Fans may keep up with her on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/actressJoannaGoing) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/joannagoing1).

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

A. My family didn't travel outside of the state much. My first flight was in my early 20s, from New York City to Los Angeles, to shoot a Cherry 7-UP commercial. I remember one awful, but thankfully, brief car trip to western Connecticut -- my parents and six kids, aged nine and under, packed into the Cadillac. Five of the kids were known to get carsick. Whoever was sickest at the moment got to sit in front between my parents. The trip had something to do with one of my father's clients. We went to a rodeo and stayed overnight in a motel. We never did that again.

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

A. Hit the pavement and walk around. Have at least one goal in mind for each day, but don't schedule yourself to the hilt. Enjoy what there is to discover along the way.

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

A. I did a television series that shot in Jamaica. We were working in Ocho Rios, but I traveled all over the island in my off time with people who grew up there, or on my own, or playing tour guide to visiting friends and family. Jamaica was very much a part of the show and my experience of landing there from New York City and getting used to the Jamaican way of life ran a close parallel to my character's experience on the show. I fell in love with the country, the culture and the people. Wrapping the show and returning to New York in the middle of winter was quite a painful adjustment.

Q. Where are your favorite weekend getaways?

A. Palm Springs, Cambria, Santa Barbara.

Q. What are your favorite hotels?

A. I love hotels. I generally prefer smaller boutique hotels to large chains, especially when attention and wit has been given to interesting design elements and beautiful bathrooms. Though I must say, the Radisson (https://www.radissonblu.com/en/hotel-capetown) I stayed at in Cape Town was over-the-top fantastic. In Palm Springs, my daughter and I like the Ace Hotel (http://www.acehotel.com/palmsprings) for the relaxed atmosphere and because our dogs are welcome. I'm dying to stay at the Korakia Pensione (https://korakia.com/). That one might require more romantic company than my kid and a couple of canines.

Q. What are your five favorite cities?

A. New York, Paris, Newport, Cape Town, Santa Fe.

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

A. My iPhone for camera, Yelp, GPS, language and currency apps. My iPad loaded with books. And, I'm happiest if the place that I'm staying has a great bathtub.

Q. What would be your dream/fantasy trip?

A. A three-month-long luxury safari trip throughout Africa, followed by two weeks in Paris to soften the blow of heading home.

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

A. Eating and drinking whatever I want.

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

A. I do a lot of online research and download guidebooks to my iPad. I'm always looking for what there is to see that's weird and wonderful and off-the-beaten path. My daughter and I have started taking road trips around California and one of my favorite recent discoveries is a blog called "California Through My Lens" (http://californiathroughmylens.com/). (The blogger and photographer) Josh is determined to explore as much of California as he can and he gives great recommendations on routes to drive, where to eat and stay, historic stops and bizarre things to see along the way.

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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.)