Celebrity Travel: Go away with Van Ness Wu

A: It’s so hard to just narrow it down to one place because each destination has inspired me in so many different ways. I could say Japan because of (my) friends, good food (and) the hot springs in the wintertime. Or the seafood and sea views of Positano (Italy). I could even say the excitement of raw nature when on safari in South Africa. But the one that sticks out the most right now was the simplicity of Hawaii. The North Shore was a very relaxing time when I took my family with me and we just lounged out at a beach house for 10 days. It was seriously one that has been hard to top.

Q: What untapped destination should people know about?

A: I really enjoyed my short trip to Munich when my sister and I traveled there for “The Amazing Race China.” It was so beautiful and clean. I haven’t had enough time to fully venture out, but I told myself I would definitely want to go back again. I remember seeing a castle in the far off mountains and it just seemed so magical.

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

A: I remember my family took us kids and our cousins on a tour bus trip to Yellowstone. I just remembered the bathroom on the bus was small and smelly and we often more or less got quite car sick. I think the Disneyland trips were quite memorable. [Laughs]

Q: What are your favorite cities?

A: Tokyo, Osaka, Taipei, Paris, Costa Mesa, Amalfi Coast.

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

A: Egypt to see the pyramids. It blows my mind – the magnitude of the architectural scale (and) how it was built. So I really want to see it in person. I hear many different stories, though. Some say it’s safe and some say be careful.

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

A: A good camera, a speaker for my music, and vitamins and cold and flu meds. Good pair of walking shoes, gym clothes, and a pre-plan for good places to eat. Maybe a good bottle of tequila. And my Bible.

Q: What is your best vacation memory?

A: This last trip to Baja for deep-sea fishing was quite a good memory. I’m not sure if it’s the best one, but it was a good one. We drove 11 hours from California. On the way we ate great Mexican food, bought awesome fireworks and caught 36 yellowtail during the three days of fishing. We would wake up every morning at 4:30 a.m. before the sun’s up to pack the boat, drive to the water and fish. The experience was something that if you love it you love it and if you don’t, well, then you’re going to be enjoying the room by yourself because it’s a very remote village with not a lot around but fishing. My friend goes three times a year and I was blessed enough to finally go with him and I’m trying to plan to go again soon.

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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.)