Celebrity Travel: Go Away With Sophie Simmons
A. I know this is so cliche, but Paris really hit me hard. I learned French after and started having a massive respect for the art of cooking and enjoying food. Also, there is such a strong female identity is France. Women are just free and expressive and not sexually embarrassed. They are so strong and mysterious. A woman there told me that the most compelling thing is mystery. And although I'm an open book, I try to keep some mystery in my music.
Q. If you've ever gone away for the holidays, which was your best trip?
A. We go to New York a lot for Christmas, since one of my Grandmas lives there. The snow and the lights -- it feels like it is right out of a movie. And the city really gets in the spirit. I love it when people get festive!
Q. What are your favorite hotels?
A. The NoMad (https://www.thenomadhotel.com/) in New York. It has a magic show, a library and amazing food. That's really all I can ask for when I stay somewhere. Also, I feel like the pillows make or break a hotel for me and the pillows there are absolutely dreamy.
Q. What are your five favorite cities?
A. Vancouver, New York, Paris, Los Angeles and London.
Q. Where would you like to go that you have never been to before?
A. I'd love to go to Bali. I know its trendy right now, but it just looks peaceful and magical. My brother and I talk about doing a trip there.
Q. When you go away, what are some of your must-have items?
A. Dry shampoo, sunblock, ChapStick, good socks, a book and a sweater because I'm always cold.
Q. What is your guilty pleasure when you're on the road?
A. Minibar snacks. I don't really ever eat junk food, but for some reason when I'm in a hotel room, I need to eat all the snacks. Sometimes I ask them to empty the minibar so I don't eat everything.
Q. What kind of research do you do before you go away on a trip?
A. I research the language, the food and the political situation. I never want to arrive in a country without knowing where they stand politically. Not that it would deter me, but I just like to know what I'm walking into.
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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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