Celebrity Travel: Go away with Pia Mechler
A: Christmas usually means going to Germany. I apologize for any hurt feelings in advance, but there is no more magical place for Christmas than Germany. There are thousands of beautiful Christmas markets that offer seasonal foods and hand-crafted items and Germans take their Christmas and Advent traditions very seriously.
Q: Do you speak any foreign languages?
A: I speak German, English, Danish and French, (with) the level of excellence declining with order. My Mom’s first language is Spanish and if I am drunk or forced, I might be able to get a Spanish word out, too. I tend to pick up languages quite easily, but only superficially. I can probably order food in many other languages, but that’s the most important thing, right?
Q: What are your five favorite cities?
A: New York for its vibrancy and capability to reinvent itself. Tokyo, because I am gasping throughout. Paris, for part of my family living there and also macrons and cheese. Rome (because) I have lived there while working and it is ancient and intense. Athens. Greek people just know how to enjoy life.
Q: When you go away, what are some of your must-have items?
A: I am addicted to matcha and you cannot find it everywhere. So I bring the whole set – the bowl, whisk (and) tea. And contact lens solution, because it would be a shame to travel and not see.
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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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