Celebrity Travel: Go Away With Dan Storper
Entrepreneur Dan Storper has always loved traveling and music. With Putumayo World Music -- his independent record label that specializes in world music -- Storper has been able to combine his two passions. "Most of my travel over the years has centered around business," says Storper, 62. "But I love researching museums and hotels and usually let the people I'm meeting suggest the restaurants." Storper enjoys living part time in New York City, but he calls New Orleans -- where he resides with his family -- home. Putumayo's latest release is the children's CD "Australian Playground." Music lovers may follow the label on Twitter at https://twitter.com/PutumayoMusic.
Q. What is your favorite vacation destination?
A. I have many, but our family really enjoyed our last couple of trips to Puerto Vallarta and Playa del Carmen in Mexico. We have an 8-year-old son, William, who fell in love with Mexico, much as I did when I young. I look forward to taking him to some of my favorite places I visited on my trips to Latin America: Oaxaca, Guanajuato, San Miguel de Allende and San Cristobal de las Casas in Mexico, Antigua, Panajachel and Chicastenango in Guatemala, Otavalo and Quito in Ecuador, Cuzco in Peru and La Paz, Bolivia.
Q. To someone who was going there for the first time, what would you recommend that they do during their visit?
A. In Playa del Carmen, we spent an enjoyable day at Xcaret, a nature park filled with an array of attractions. We also like the historic ruins of Tulum, but we also love hanging out at the beach and pool, reading, playing games and unwinding.
Q. What was the first trip you took as a child?
A. My first real trip was a cross-country trip with a group of 15-year-old kids. We traveled by train so we got to see the great expanse of America and many of the national parks. I cried when I finally got to Yellowstone as I was a nature lover and there was so much of beauty to see. The next year I went with my aunt and uncle to Mexico and that changed my life and led me to major in Latin American studies and start a career importing handicrafts from the countries I'd studied.
Q. What's the most important thing you've learned from your travels?
A. There's a surprise around every corner. Be prepared enough so you feel relaxed to wander. Travel light. Walk a lot, but don't carry much. Keep your eyes open. Don't be afraid. Talk to people.
Q. Have you traveled to a place that stood out so much that you felt compelled to incorporate it into your work?
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