Celebrity Travel: Go Away With Rosanna Arquette

A. Yes and no. He loves to travel. And I realize how I'm very lucky to be able to travel and I don't take it lightly. I love to go to different parts of the world and so does he. But he likes more fancy things and I'm more of the backpack and sleeping-on-the-floor in different places kind of traveler. I prefer to do it that way. It feels more authentic to my spirit than to just take these fancy trips. But he likes being comfortable and I get that. It's nice to be comfortable, too, of course. But I like to explore a little bit more, so I went to India without him.

Q. Spouses don't have to be tethered at the hip. Do you take trips with your girlfriends?

A. Yes, I do. They're really fun and I think they're important to do. I missed out on one that I wish I could've gone on. Some girlfriends of mine did a trip in Bhutan and I would've loved to have done that. I'll try to do that one day. I went with a great group of women to Standing Rock (Indian Reservation) to protest the pipeline. That was quite an amazing experience.

Q. Where is someplace you visited that you would like to return to right now?

A. Anywhere in Italy. I love spending time in Italy. Even a crap restaurant in Italy is still delicious compared to the food here. (Laughs) Traveling is a great way to find really great, authentic food. I'm looking forward to spending more time in Mexico.

Q. Have your travels helped shape your views on how women are treated worldwide?

A. We're seeing that things in America aren't perfect either and could use some work. But there are some places where it is really bad for girls and women. You see children as young as seven being sold for sex trafficking and there is a huge problem with Americans (and other foreigners) going to (places like) India, Thailand and Vietnam to buy sex. It happens at home, too.

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

A. I came from a Bohemian, hippie family. My mother really loved trains. When we did travel, we took trains. When I was a kid, I remember sleeping in the sleeper cars and having meals on really nice linen tablecloths with silverware. I wish people would start taking trains across the country again. I love them still. It's such a neat way to travel.

Q. You and your husband could always take a fancy train vacation.

A. We did! A couple years ago, we went on the Orient Express as an anniversary present (to ourselves). It was really fun. We were in France and Italy. I want to take my daughter someday. She would really love it.

Q. What are some things you do before a trip?

A. When I know I'm going to want to eat all the pasta in Italy, I will try to eat a lot less for a week or so before the trip. I still end up coming home about seven pounds heavier, not from the pasta, but all the red wine! But it's so good. You have to enjoy life. It also helps to stay active while you're on a trip.

Q. Active like hiking or active like shopping?

A. (Laughs) Hiking and biking. In Italy, we took a bike tour led by Backroads, which took us on back roads through all these little villages in the middle of nowhere that you could never get to by car. It was great. I went on that with my husband and friends of his, who do it all the time. I don't love riding a bike in traffic, because I get scared. But this was really fun. A couple times, we got lost, but they do have a van that will pick you up. I have to admit that I didn't make it all the way up a hill. But riding a bike is a great way to explore villages. I'd do it again. This would be a great girls outing or a trip for couples, too.

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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.)