By Jae-Ha Kim
Tribune Content Agency
July 11, 2017
Actress Molly Bernard (“Sully”) likes staying busy, which is a good thing given her work schedule. The star of TV Land’s “Younger” — where she portrays publicist Lauren Heller — also has a recurring role on the Emmy Award-winning series, “Transparent” (Amazon Prime Video). Bernard, 29, resides in Brooklyn, and is a fan of New York in general: “In the summer, I love Fire Island. It’s my main destination and I spend a lot of time dreaming about it during the cold winter months.”
Fans may follow her on Instagram, where she posts photos of her travels and her dog, Henry.
Q. What is your favorite vacation destination?
A. I love Berlin. It’s one of my favorite cities in the world. I’d say you must go to the Bauhaus-Archiv. It’s my favorite museum. And take a trot through Volkspark Friedrichshain. And ride your bike to and around Tempelhof.
Q. What untapped destination should people know about?
A. I love Sheepshead Bay and Brighton Beach in Brooklyn. I feel at home when I’m there. Tons of Russian folks, great food and the beach!
Q. What was the first trip you took as a child?
A. Disneyland. What’s not to love? I made BFF’s with Alice and the Rabbit and had the time of my small life on It’s A Small World.
Q. What’s the most important thing you’ve learned from your travels?
A. To be OK with being alone. I love traveling solo. I feel very close to myself and always learn a ton. I talk to everyone, make friends with people I otherwise would not, and I like to get to know parts of the city that feel untapped and sweeter than touristy parts. Also, it took me a while to learn this, but I try not to buy things when I travel these days and, if I do, I am very picky. I used to want to buy everything so I had mementos. Now I prefer to eat up the city and enjoy what is in front of me in a very alive, non-consumer style. I try to savor the culture and I find it makes me a much happier traveler.
Q. Have you traveled to a place that stood out so much that you felt compelled to incorporate it into your work?
A. I lived in Moscow for a few months in college to study at the Moscow Art Theater and initially all I did was try to recreate my time in Russia in every scene or play I did when I got back. I think I still incorporate a great deal of my time there into my work, especially on “Transparent.”
Q. Where are your favorite weekend getaways?
A. I love Dia:Beacon in upstate New York. I love Woodstock. Fire Island in the summers. Philadelphia is a sweet city, too. Incredible food.
Q. Where is the most romantic destination?
A. You know, I haven’t done much traveling with partners, really. I had a romantic fling in Berlin and it was gorgeous on a bike. Cycling through Tiergarten is a very romantic way to spend an afternoon. When I was much younger, I had the sweetest little romance in Tuscany. The alleys, sunsets, bars, food, art, architecture, air, scenery. … I love Italy. Also, let’s not forget about how romantic New York is.
Q. If you’ve ever gone away for the holidays, which was the best trip?
A. I love to spend Christmas and New Year’s in Europe. I’ve done it a few times now. Christmas in Germany is adorable and beyond charming. The Christmas fairs and lights and food are really fantastic. I spent New Year’s on the Spanish Steps in Rome several years ago and it was perfect. It was a party all night, though mellow and slow. It started with dinner, then drinks, then more drinks, then gelato, then prosecco on the Steps at midnight. Then more drinks. Then a terrific walk home and a bath and risotto the next day and, somehow, miraculously hangover free!
Q. What are your five favorite cities?
A. Berlin, London, New York, Moscow, Rome.
Q. Where would you like to go that you have never been to before?
A. Paris. Spain. I really want to travel the Silk Road. I’d love to do that train trip. I want to go to Prague, Sweden, Norway, South Africa, India, Japan, Mexico. How will I go to all of these places?
Q. What is your best vacation memory?
A. The first time I was in Berlin, I rented a bike and biked the entire city for a week with no metro card. I think it’s one of my best travel memories, because I was going through a breakup and I felt so wholly independent and free-spirited. The city felt both familiar and so complicated — it was like I could see the history in layers all over in a way I had never encountered in other European cities. I remember I came back saying, “If Berlin was a person, I’d be friends with them.” I like complex, layered, eccentric people, and Berlin is the epitome of that.
Q. Where have you traveled to that most reminded you of home?
A. Not many places. I travel to escape New York so much of the time. But, I’d say London—though I am always struck by how dissimilar London is to New York, despite it’s obvious similarities. It’s Europe, so there is a much different culture – things like tea, history, the cleanliness, all always stand out to me as very different from New York.
Q. When you go away, what are some of your must-have items?
A. My facial potions, which include lotion, eye cream, sunscreen, mascara and lipstick. I always like to have a favorite outfit, so I feel relatively cute while traveling. It’s sometimes nice to bring a pair of heels and a pair of tennis shoes. A cute mini backpack/purse thingy. And allergy meds, in case I get a nasty case of the sniffles.
© 2017 JAE-HA KIM
DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC.
