Celebrity Travel: Go away with Ashley Nicole Black

A: I love San Juan, Puerto Rico. It’s beautiful, the food is amazing and there’s always some partying going on and it’s totally cool if you join in! I would recommend you leave one night open, don’t make plans, and just walk around the city. You are bound to find someone to dance with.

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

A: When I was a kid, our parents surprised us with our first trip on an airplane. You could never do this now. This was pre-TSA being as intense as it currently is. They were like, “Do you want to see the inside of the airport?” “Do you want to see what a plane looks like?” And before we knew it, the plane was taking off. We went to visit relatives in Ohio. All I remember is being shocked by all the grass and how far apart all the houses were from each other and by seeing my first basement — very different from what a little kid from Los Angeles is used to!

Q: Where are your favorite weekend getaways?

A: I love going to Ojai, when I’m in L.A., and upstate when I’m in New York. Just getting outside of the city, going to a nice house with a chill vibe and cooking.

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

A: “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.” For whatever reason, I don’t watch Food Network at home, but if I am in a hotel it is on from the moment I check in to the moment I check out. I love Guy Fieri and, though he doesn’t know it, he is my most constant travel companion. Guy, if you're reading this, run away with me.

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

A: None? I’m a figure-it-out-when-I-get-there person. I know that this is stressful for people. It doesn’t stress me out because it’s a vacation, I don’t feel pressure to see every site or do everything. Rest is part of it! I like to ask people who actually live there what about their favorite restaurant, and people almost never steer you wrong. Not never. But almost never. I’m probably happier sitting in a bar eavesdropping on people’s conversations than running across the city trying to make it to every museum. I firmly believe planners should vacation with fellow planners and nappers should vacation with fellow nappers. Or if you are a planner, we can vacation together, but know that I might decide to take a nap while you scale the side of the Louvre or whatever.

Q: What would be your dream trip?

A: Post-pandemic, all I want is a little house, with a pool, a hot tub and a beautiful view that I can take my dog to. That’s it. Someone please tell me where this is. If you own this place, invite me. I will take many pictures of myself in a bathing suit on your property. I have great thighs. You should really take me up on this offer.

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

A: I basically take the supplies for a little mini-spa with me. I’m usually traveling for work. When I’m performing, I sometimes get keyed up and it’s hard to fall asleep. So, I always have aromatherapy, skin care masks and tea in my bag to help me wind down.

========

(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.)