Celebrity Travel: Go away with Kathleen Garrett

On her previous trip to Italy, actress Kathleen Garrett had an in. “I had recorded an audiobook titled ‘Nonna Maria and the Case of the Missing Bride’ by Lorenzo Carcaterra, which took place in Ischia,” she said. “I became so fascinated by the island that I had to go to it. The book spoke of several locations describing its natural beauty, delicious food, great wines and restaurants. I had a head start in researching the territory before we left. I then did my own Google research on the island and its villages.” Garrett, who is based out of New York and Santa Monica, is best known for her work in the Emmy-nominated miniseries “Inventing Anna” and “The First Lady.”

Q: Of all the characters you've portrayed, which one do you think would make a good travel partner and who would be a nightmare?

A: I think Laura Bush would make a good travel partner. When studying her for “The First Lady,” I realized what an interesting person she is and (I) would love to have the chance to know her better. My nightmare character would definitely be Sasha Thomas in “Inventing Anna.” You’d better have some clout or she won’t give you the time of day. Don’t get on her bad side.

Q: If you had to cancel travel plans due to the pandemic, where were they to?

A: England. I have several longtime friends living there whom I haven’t seen in a while, who all lead rather interesting lives. One is a former MI6 agent, another is a BAFTA award-winning costume designer and the others are a couple who are writers. One is the London bureau chief for the Washington Post and his wife is a journalist and novelist. I was bummed the pandemic foiled my plans.

Q: What is your favorite vacation destination?

A: Italy has always been my favorite go-to. I was just there for my birthday on the isle of Ischia. What a magical and romantic place. It’s a thermal island with many natural thermal baths. I highly recommend staying at a hotel spa that offers several thermal pools and fine dining. If the hotel (or) spa is too pricey, there are several thermal parks that are quite affordable. The Tyrrhenian Sea is beautiful. I would recommend hiring a boat to take you to different coves and beaches throughout. Sant’Angelo is a must for quaint shops and restaurants. The Castello Aragonese is a medieval castle that once guarded the island and is a must-see. Definitely drink the local wines and spirits. The people are wonderful, but I highly recommend you brush up on your Italian. Though the (employees at the) higher-end hotels and restaurants speak English, if you want to mingle with the locals, Italian is a must.

Q: Where are some of the places you've filmed on location?

A: Australia was where I shot a pilot for CBS. I loved Australia. It felt like the States in a 1950s time warp. I also did an Italian film in Cinecitta, which was great fun. Even though I spoke Italian, my lines were in English and everyone else’s lines were in Italian. Go figure, but I guess the Italians are into dubbing. San Francisco is also a fabulous town to shoot in. I shot several commercials there and in Chicago. Coming from Los Angeles, I didn’t realize how cold Chicago is in October and brought light clothes. Dumb, right? Needless to say, I fled to a department store for warmer wear almost immediately after leaving the plane. And, of course, New York City and Los Angeles are always a gift to be working in.

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

A: The very first trip was to Lake George in the Adirondacks. What a beautiful lake – so peaceful and calming.

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

A: History, culture and how people live and think. Many countries preserve their culture (and) their history by preserving their buildings. I find it tragic in this country that we don’t cherish the history of buildings with the same regard, and tear down beautiful historical architecture.

It is important to travel to get out of one’s comfort zone and experience life in a foreign land with people who are different. It widens one’s perspective and understanding of life and the world around us.

Q: Where are your favorite weekend getaways?

A: There are several. Lake George (New York), Cape May (New Jersey), Santa Monica. When I’m in New York City, Vermont in the fall. But I guess that’s not a weekend getaway.

Q: Do you speak any foreign languages?

A: I was fluent in Italian when I was younger and am re-learning it. It was great fun to be in Italy and able to converse with the locals. I’m not sure if I pick up languages easily, though I have to say my Italian has come back fairly quickly.

Q: What are your favorite cities?

A: This may sound cliché, but they’re Rome, Paris, London, Budapest and the two cities I live in.

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

A: The terrain in Norway reminded me of the Adirondacks with the pine trees and vegetation. I love Paris and feel it’s one of the cities I could live in, but it doesn’t necessarily remind me of home. I just feel at home there.

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

A: Tunisia, Morocco and New Zealand.

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

A: Makeup and hair products! Vanity, thy name is Kathleen!

Q: What would be your dream trip?

A: It’s hard to say at the moment. My recent trip to Ischia, the Amalfi Coast and Rome was pretty spectacular, so I have to think about what my next exotic adventure will be.

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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.)