Celebrity Travel: Go Away With Cam Gigandet

Cam Gigandet ("The Magnificent Seven," "The Twilight Saga" franchise) stars alongside Donald Sutherland and Jeremy Sisto in AT&T Audience Network's latest series, "Ice." In the serialized crime drama, Gigandet's character is thrown into the world of corrupt diamond trading, murder and dubious cartels. For the series, Gigandet, 34, moved his family from their Venice, California, home to Vancouver, B.C., where "Ice" is filmed. "Right now, Vancouver is our only home. It's where our heart is, so to speak." One of the few actors wary of social media, Gigandet says, "I've never been able to fully commit to social media. (It's) hard to find the time with three kids and a job." He occasionally stays in touch with fans via his Twitter feed.

Q. What is your favorite vacation destination?

A. Well, definitely not my couch, or even my house. I love exploring. Drop me in a city I've never been to and I will walk till I drop. So far, Tokyo tops my list.

Q. To someone who was going there for the first time, what would you recommend that they do during their visit?

A. Daikanyama (in Shibuya, Tokyo). Just pick a street and start walking. The questions I always try to answer whenever I am at a new place is, "What would it feel like to live here? How would it feel to experience touristy spots as a local?" So, if I am bored, I have only myself to blame.

Q. What untapped destination should people know about?

A. Yokohama (in Japan). (Go to the) Mooneyes motorcycle show.

Q. What was the first trip you took as a child? And did you love it ... or not so much?

A. The first trip I remember was a road trip from Seattle to Maine. I think I enjoyed it and I commend my parents for having the courage to drive two kids across the country in a minivan. I still vividly remember walking up the path and Mt. Rushmore coming into view. That was over 20 years ago...

Q. What are your five favorite cities?

A. Tokyo, Venice (Calif.), Berlin, London and Amsterdam.

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

A. You can see, feel and experience more by following only your impulse, and not a guide or a tour, or a family member that knows everything.

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

A. Every single one has affected me in one aspect or another. There is always room to grow as a person, a father and an actor.

Q. Where is the most romantic destination?

A. Well, that's tough. Okay, so even though I don't love hanging out on the beach for hours and hours, I have found that some of the most romantic times with my wife have been on a beach -- a secluded one -- an hour after sunset -- whether it's just a walk from home on Venice Beach or steps from our hotel room in Cabo at the Palmilla Resort or outside the Turtle Bay bungalows on the North Shore of Oahu. The simplicity of two people on the beach when the sun goes down creates memories different than anything else. Sitting in the sand, watching the stars, seeing the ocean and hearing the waves, you quickly realize just how small we really are. To look over and see the one person in this world that you would want by your side is a powerful experience. I'm weird, but thankfully she loves weird.

Q. Where have you traveled to that most reminded you of home?

A. Vancouver (reminds me of Tacoma, Washington, where I grew up). The rain! (I) effing love it!

Q. Where would you like to go that you have never been to before?

A. Brussels (in Belgium) for the design. I love to be blown away by beauty that someone created from nothing but an idea, whether it's objet d'art, furniture, fashion -- ooh, even lighting.

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

A. My Buttons headphones. A thank you goes out to Will I.am! These are hands down the best out there, and I have tried them all.

Q. What would be your dream/fantasy trip?

A. Starting in Norway, begin a road trip stopping in cities for a few days and work our way to the south of France, where we would meet my parents to take the kids. We want our kids to see just how important we are to each other.

Q. What are your favorite restaurants?

A. The Rock Wood Fired Kitchen. (Gigandet's father, Jay, is a co-founder of the franchise.)

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

A. I will buy every book and get every guide and then toss them once I get to my hotel, because nothing beats exploring.

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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.)