By Jae-Ha Kim
Tribune Content Agency
July 22, 2014
Few business journalists make their way into pop culture. Then there’s Maria Bartiromo, who was dubbed as the “Money Honey.” Joey Ramone of the Ramones was clearly smitten with her, too. He sang her praises in his song, “Maria Bartiromo.”
“I’ve traveled the world, largely on business going from Asia to Europe and Brazil,” says the 46-year-old New Yorker. “I’ve been to so many places and it’s hard to get out and see all the things I want to because I’m so busy with work. But I try to make time and go back on my own.”
She’s the anchor and global markets editor for FOX Business Network’s “Opening Bell with Maria Bartiromo” and “Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo.” Fans may stay in touch with her on Twitter.
Q. What is your favorite vacation destination?
A. Italy is certainly a favorite destination. There are so many wonderful places to visit there, whether you’re in Venice or Rome or Lake Como. Lake Como is a place I’ve been to a lot and it’s on the top of my list. I love it. It’s so calm and beautiful and it’s just a wonderful place. I’d also recommend Singapore. Everything is so pristine. I’ve gone there on business trips largely. We went to the Singapore Safari Night Zoo, which is really a sight to see.
Q. What trip stands out in your mind?
A. I don’t know if I’d recommend it now, because of the upset there, but St. Petersburg in Russia is amazing. When I’ve been there in the summer, you could be in a restaurant at 11 at night and it’s broad daylight out because of White Nights.
Q. Did you travel a lot with your family when you were growing up?
A. We did a lot of domestic traveling. We stayed closer to home, more than not. We went to Upstate New York and the Catskills. I’ve always been a big hiker and enjoy biking and walking. We did things like that.
Q. What’s a nice, low-key trip for you?
A. My husband and I go to Tucson, Arizona, and go to the Santa Catalina Mountains and hike. I love putting on my hiking boots and going into the wilderness. It takes me away and clears my head and helps me not be so busy and stressed. It’s so nice to make time to be in nature. That’s probably my favorite type of trip.
Q. Where will you travel to next for a vacation?
A. We’re looking into taking a bike trip in Italy. Butterfield & Robinson does biking trips all around the world. You can go to Spain or some place in Asia or wherever. They provide bikes and carry your bags from hotel to hotel in all the different areas you visit. You have to go with a group, so we’re trying to get friends to go with us and make it more fun.
Q. Are you high or low maintenance on the road?
A. I’m pretty low maintenance. I’m a pretty good planner. I don’t like to check bags. Certainly, on business trips when I need clothes for on air, I have to bring a lot more and check a bag. But on vacation, I try to be light in terms of what I’m carrying.
Q. What are some things you have to have with you on your travels?
A. Workout clothes. We love trips where we’re active.
Q. What would you like to do that you haven’t done yet?
A. I’ve not been there yet, but I’d like to take a safari in Africa.
Q. What are some of your favorite cities?
A. New York. I love it. I live and spend time here. It offers so much. London. I love it there. It’s so cosmopolitan and savvy. I absolutely love Paris. It’s a place to be. It’s romantic and beautiful and so European. I love San Francisco, particularly Napa Valley, which is a must visit. As soon as you walk around there, you smell the grapes and wine and it’s wonderful. I highly recommend that as a travel destination. I love Chicago and Boston, which are sort of like mini New Yorks. And Rome. I love Rome.
Q. Where have you traveled to that most reminded you of home?
A. I would say that London and Chicago remind me of home.
Q. What are some of your favorite hotels?
A. Four Seasons Hotel George V in Paris, which is luxurious and comfortable. I love the Peninsula in Los Angeles. It’s terrific, luxurious and beautiful.
Q. What are some of the challenges of going to a foreign country for the first time?
A. When you really don’t know where you’re going and you’ve got to take trains in foreign cities to get to other unfamiliar places. It can be beautiful, but also complicated, because of the different languages and navigating all the different tracks.
© 2014 JAE-HA KIM
DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC.
