Celebrity Travel: Go away with Johanna Liauw

After appearing in the "Quantum Leap" reboot, Johanna Liauw is one of the stars of the Netflix’s “Tall Girl 2.” She describes her role as empowering, especially for younger people. “(Stella is) energetic and fun,” the actress said of her character. “She marches to the beat of her own tune, which I think is really inspiring for those who may not feel comfortable in their own skin growing up. I know I sure felt that way and still do at times. Whenever I come across someone who owns who they are and doesn’t conform to society's standards, I have a lot of respect and admiration for them. Stella’s personality very much reads that way to me.” A resident of Pasadena, California, Liauw stays in touch with her fans on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/johannaliauw/).

Q: Where are your favorite weekend getaways?

A: I went to Vegas for the first time a couple of months ago for my birthday. I totally would go back again! Santa Barbara, Pismo Beach and San Diego (also) are great spots for a quick relaxing getaway.

Q: Do you prefer visiting warm or cold climates?

A: I grew up in Atlanta for a good chunk of my childhood, so I got to experience the seasons change which was really beautiful. But climate doesn’t deter me from traveling to a certain place. Wherever calls to me, I go.

Q: I know you’ve visited Greece. What did you do while there?

A: Cliff jumping and swimming in Amoudi Bay was unreal. The water was crystal clear and a gorgeous blue color. The food, drink, and atmosphere at Artemis Karamolegos winery were to die for. So many amazing memories from that trip.

Q: Do you have any plans lined up for spring or summer vacation?

A: Catalina Island is top on this list. I also want to go back up to San Francisco and explore the city some more.

Q: What are your five favorite cities?

A: Salem, Massachusetts. Oia in Santorini. New York City. Portland. Nassau in the Bahamas.

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

A: I think I still need to visit more places before I can fully come to a consensus on that. (Laughs) I always had a feeling that I’d live in Europe at some point in my life, so I’ll get back to you on that one once I’ve checked out a few more spots.

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

A: A timeline where there’s no greed or violence.

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

A: Polaroid or toss-away cameras are a must. I love the nostalgic feel the images give when they get developed. It’s a fun way to capture memories instead of just using a phone. I always bring at least two books with me for some downtime relaxation moments.

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

A: I mainly try to find unique restaurants and activities, as well as scoping out what some good shopping spots are. I want to check out the thrift stores, especially if I’m visiting somewhere outside of the United States. Reddit is always a great way to get suggestions on what’s worth checking out.

Q: What is your worst vacation memory?

A: I was flying from Los Angeles to Florida a couple of years back and they had to make an emergency landing at an airport in Lubbock, Texas. The plane was nose-diving and it was the most terrifying experience I’ve ever had on a flight. Turns out that one of the engines blew. I ended up having a panic attack, because I was not about to step foot on another plane after that. I ended up being taken to a hospital, which ended up being a whole other mess itself. (Laughs) Suffice to say, I never flew with that airline ever again.

========

(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.)