Celebrity Travel: Go away with Daphne Maxwell Reid

Before the coronavirus pandemic hit, actress Daphne Maxwell Reid was booked on an expedition cruise that would’ve taken her from Dakar, to Portugal and (back to) the west coast of Africa. “It was canceled mere days before we were to depart for Africa to meet the ship (due to) COVID-19,” said Reid. “I do miss my international travel opportunities, which I usually have at this time of the year. I have had the pleasure of taking a few plane rides under very strict precautionary measures, the last being to Los Angeles to shoot ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Reunion’ special for HBO Max (for) our 30th anniversary.” Reid played Will Smith’s Aunt Viv on the beloved sitcom.

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

A: That was quite a long time ago. My family drove down to Greenville, S.C., to visit my sick maternal grandmother. I vividly remember knocking over a rock with my little red wagon and seeing a worm! Yuck. I was a Manhattan born and raised city girl.

Q: What's the most important thing you've learned from your travels?

A: To stay open and present to be able to absorb all of the things that make where I’m going different from where I live. I love to find new sounds, tastes and sights, as well as the common ground that we share.

Q: What is your favorite vacation destination?

A: Anywhere in the world where I can see, smell, taste and photograph a different culture from my own. I love old historic villages as much as I love the beach. I am attracted to the history and art of wherever, or the makers of art and craft in the region. If one chooses to go to Venice, Italy — one of my favorite cities (that) I return almost annually, I would suggest walking along the streets where the Venetian people live and stop to have a meal in a local taverna. The museums are exquisite and should not be missed, but the actual neighborhoods where the Venetians live are richly fascinating.

Q: What untapped destination should people know about?

A: Vatulele (which is south of Fiji’s largest island, Viti Levu).

Q: If you could only pick one place to eat, would you choose a street cart or a fancy restaurant?

A: I prefer fine dining at a nice restaurant. I like the formality, cordiality, the attention and the expectation of a fine meal.

Q: Where are your favorite weekend getaways?

A: I don’t get away for weekends. If I take a short domestic trip, I enjoy visiting my brother and his wife in Mystic, Connecticut, especially in the fall.

Q: Where is the most romantic destination?

A: A quiet beach with a private villa with the love of my life. Sounds a lot like my honeymoon in Jamaica!

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

A: The best Christmas trip that we took as a family was to Turks & Caicos, where we rented a house for all 10 of us on the beach. We had a pool, a few kayaks, a private chef, lots of laughter and great weather.

Q: Do you speak any foreign languages?

A: I speak Spanish, crudely, and can understand some Italian, Portuguese and French. I can get around pretty confidently. Sometimes I draw pictures or find a common language that I can converse in that is close to the other person’s language. I was totally stumped in Japan and China!

Q: What are your five favorite cities?

A: Venice, Portofino and Florence (Italy). Marrakesh. Havana.

Q: Where have you traveled to that most reminded you of home?

A: Home has been so many places for me, starting with growing up in New York City, pursuing my education and first marriage in Chicago and then creating a successful career in Los Angeles. Wherever I am calling my residence at the time, I create an environment that reminds me most of home.

Q: Where would you like to go that you have never been to before?

A: Western Africa, Greece, Portugal. I could go on.

Q: When you go away, what are some of your must-have items?

A: Comfortable shoes and my camera and computer.

Q: What would be your dream trip?

A: At this time of my life, (it) would be to cruise up the west coast of Africa that I did not get to do this spring, ending with a few days on the beach in Porto, Portugal. I would also like to take a yacht trip through the Greek Islands, focusing on Santorini.

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

A: Sampling cocktails and small bites. I don’t do that at home for some reason!

Q: What kind of research do you do before you go away on a trip?

A: I usually check out Travel and Leisure, Google the cities and go through their history and then check out the art attractions of the city, whether museums, architecture or neighborhood art.

Q: What is your best and/or worst vacation memory?

A: Best: A week in Vatulele. Worst: My first trip to Venice not knowing anything about it!

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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.)