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A. I used to travel on my own for a long weekend once a year. I have great memories of exploring a deserted glacier in Iceland at dusk, and taking a ferry from Helsinki, Finland to Tallinn, Estonia. With young children I haven't had those trips in a few years, but one day I'll be back at it!

Q. If you've ever gone away for the holidays, what was the best trip?

A. My family and I spent Christmas at Smoke Tree Ranch in California one year when one of my sisters lived on the West Coast. It was a totally different experience for us and fun to roast marshmallows on Christmas Eve. I also spent my honeymoon in the Seychelles for a warm weather Christmas. It was a wonderful reminder that holidays are about where the heart is.

Q. What are your favorite cities?

A. Too hard to pick! New York is home. It's energizing. It's a crossroads of the world. Dubai is my most visited city outside the U.S., and I will never tire of sitting below the Burj Khalifa at night and watching the lights sparkle. Lisbon is old and cozy, but full of energy. London. I spent a semester in England for college and returning always brings back that feeling of excitement and possibility.

Q. What would be your dream trip?

A. A totally safe trip to Mars with my kids that can be done in a few months' time. That's something that could be achievable in our lifetimes, right?

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

A. My co-workers will all tell you that when we're on assignment anywhere in the U.S., I'm on the lookout for McDonald's. My go-to order is a Quarter Pounder with cheese with fries -- and a chocolate sundae afterward.

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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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