Go Away With … Lindsay Price

By Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Tribune
December 4, 2018

Actress Lindsay Price says that her first trip to Maui surprised her, because she felt so comfortable. “It was less the surrounding and more the people,” she says. “Being mixed growing up, I never really felt like I fit in anywhere. But when I went there for the first time, I felt completely at home. The people are of all different Asian cultures and mixes. They are American. They are Hawaiian. And the Hawaiian culture is all about family. Ohana. I just got it. Also, I learned I am a Hapa — half Asian, half white. They have a word for what I am. I was like, ‘Yeah. This is my place.’” Price, 41, is one of the stars of the ABC series, “Splitting Up Together.” She resides with her husband, celebrity chef Curtis Stone, and their children in Los Angeles. Fans may follow her on Instagram and Twitter.

Q. What is your favorite vacation destination?

A. So far it has been Mallorca, Spain. Other than getting married there and obviously having dreamy memories of the island, there is something magical about the sea-meets-the-countryside vibe there. It has fairytale villages and there is an artists’ haven soul to the island that resonates with me perfectly. It’s chic, old world Europe. The first thing you must do is visit the little town of Valldemossa. Walk the cobblestone streets and absorb the culture a bit. Follow the steps of Frédéric Chopin, who lived there and wrote, (and maybe) gain some inspiration yourself.

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

A. It was in an RV with my family (going) from Los Angeles to the Grand Canyon, Yosemite and the Sequoias and Mount Zion. Setting out onto the open road with my family with nothing to do but explore and share an adventure was the single joyous thing for me as a kid. Honestly, California alone has some of the most incredible nature and landscape in the world.  Those ancient trees of the sequoia forest felt like temples to me. They are the oldest trees in the world. And something about them felt sacred to me, even at 7 years old. The absolute awe I felt when we arrived at the Grand Canyon was the first time in my life I understood that  the world was very very big.  And beyond beautiful. This trip was the first time I felt the power of nature and a profound desire to see the world was born. It was one of the happiest memories of my life, that trip.  And to this day the memories inspire me.

Q. What is the most important thing you’ve learned from your travels?

A. Perspective. It is so important to see the world from outside your own perspective. Travel is the best way to gain empathy for others, to understand your position in the world and have gratitude for your life. There is so much wonder to be seen. I feel it connects me to those that I love. I feel there is nothing like a new shared experience between loved ones. Each time I take a trip, I don’t feel that travel is as much of an escape as it is a return to my true self.

Q. What are your best and worst travel memories?

A. My best and worst travel memory is the same trip. After 50 years of being in America, I took my mother back to Korea. She had been adopted at age 12 and had never been back since. I was seven months pregnant with my first child and I wanted to understand where she came from in a deep and true way. It was the most profound trip ever for the both of us, but it was also no vacation. Talk about coming home exhausted. But I’ll say it will be the trip of my lifetime as far as meaning and transformation goes. And man, do I love Seoul.

Q. Do you ever spend time away from home during the holidays?

A. The best holiday trip I ever took was last year. We rented a cabin in Mammoth Mountain for 10 days. My dream of being snowed in came true. We had all the people we loved in one place, and no one could leave! (Laughs) It was a winter wonderland — lots of fireplace talks and laughs, fuzzy slippers and hot chocolate. It was an absolute dream.

Q. What are your five favorite cities?

A. New York City, Paris, Sydney, Seoul, Aspen.

Q. What’s on your travel bucket list?

A. I’m dying to see the Northern Lights, maybe in one of those incredible glass-ceiling hotels. Also, I have not explored Italy and France like I need to. I think I might be French deep down. I need to know for sure.

Q. What would be a dream trip?

A. A long stay in the Italian countryside. Also, I would love to ski the Swiss Alps, or maybe Courchevel.

Q. What is your guilty pleasure when you’re traveling?

A. When I’m on the road, I typically let myself indulge in a way I do not at home. One of the best parts of travel is tasting it! I guess I let myself go a little off the rails each trip, but it’s so worth it.

Q. What untapped destination would you recommend?
A. People should know about is Vietnam. The beaches are untouched. It is truly paradise.

Q. What are your favorite weekend getaways?
A. They are often spur of the moment, throw caution to the wind, just jump in the car and drive types of vacations. Southern California is the best place to live for this type of adventure. From Palm Springs to Big Sur, Wine Country to Baja, Mexico – it’s a million different landscapes and culture. I love it. As far as a glam little hideaway goes, I have a soft spot for the San Ysidro Ranch.

Q. What is the most romantic destination?
A. For me, it was on a little boat in the middle of the Whitsundays in Queensland, Australia, in the Great Barrier Reef. The white sand beaches, the magic of underwater world there, the total solitude, the company, the stars.

Q. What are some must-have items you always pack?
A. Vintner’s Daughter, Bose noise-canceling headphones, my Golden Goose sneakers, Janessa Leone hat, Leica camera and Amanda Ross X Soler Brooke dress.

© 2018 JAE-HA KIM
DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY, LLC.