Celebrity Travel: Go away with Laurie Fortier

Jae-Ha Kim, Tribune Content Agency on Oct 12, 2021

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

A: I believe my first trip as a child was to Acapulco. I was three or four. Apparently, I got sick and vomited on my dad’s white patent leather loafers.

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

A: My favorite thing about traveling is how it awakens your senses. To be in a foreign land among strangers, learning a culture from the inside out – there is no better feeling. Traveling reaffirms my need to live fully. It is when I feel most alive.

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

A: Napili, Maui. Probably because growing up, we went every year as a family. Then when I had my own kids, I took them as well. So, it’s home in a sense.

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

A: To name a few, Morocco, Ibiza, southern Spain, Australia, Chile, Peru, Bali, Kenya, Croatia, Mallorca.

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

A: A good carry-on! I try to go super light. My partner likes to get off the plane and go, rather than wait at baggage claim. Though (that’s) harder to do for city vacations longer than a week. A woman’s got to have the right shoes, what can I say. Sneakers and some workout clothes are also a must have. Workouts while traveling are a lifesaver.

Q: What would be your dream trip?

A: There are so many! Machu Picchu (and) Morocco are the first that come to mind.

Q: Can you share a trip where it’s not your best vacation memory?

A: Disneyland Hotel. The kids were ages four and seven years old. We were staying at the safari-themed hotel. While I was in the bathroom, my husband at the time left with what I thought was both kids to check out and get the car. I left the room to go meet them. Got to the car and one kid was missing! He thought our daughter had stayed back with me, I thought he had both kids. Sheer panic for about 15 minutes of my life. It was a nightmare. But come to find out my four-year-old had gone onto the balcony to look at the zebras. She was safe and sound!

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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.)