By Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Tribune
August 6, 2019
Best known for her roles in “Chasing Papi,” the “Rush Hour” franchise and “Without a Trace,” Roselyn Sanchez portrays Gigi Mendoza in the ABC series “Grand Hotel.” An avid traveler, the actress says she prepares for her family’s upcoming trips by recharging at home. “We work like crazy, have two kids and are always on the go,” says Sanchez, 46. “We travel a lot, so my favorite weekend getaway is being able to stay home with my kids and read at night.” She and her husband, actor Eric Winter, also are the authors of the children’s book, “Sebi and the Land of Cha Cha Cha.”
Q. What is your favorite vacation destination?
A. I love Barcelona. I went once and I fell in love to the point that I thought I had lived there before. I recommend that visitors go to Las Ramblas. There’s a humongous farmers’ market that is phenomenal, where you can learn about the culture. It’s beautiful and whatever they sell is fresh and top of the line and organic. It’s like a whole experience.
Q. What untapped destination should people know about?
A. The first thing that comes to my mind is where I come from, Puerto Rico. I think a lot of people may already know about it, though.
Q. What was the first trip you took as a child? And did you love it, or not so much?
A. I don’t remember the first trip, but I do remember going to Costa Rica when I was very young. I remember that it was very cold and I thought that everyone was very light-skinned, funnily enough. I remember going to a glass factory and a cheese factory. I loved the cheese!
Q. What’s the most important thing you’ve learned from your travels?
A. I love traveling and I think it’s such a valuable experience. Going to school is fantastic, but when you actually travel the world, you learn about cultures, ideas and vision. It’s an invaluable education. It would be wise and beneficial for every person to travel if they have the opportunity.
Q. If you could only pick one place to eat, which would you choose: A casual meal at a street cart or fine dining at a nice restaurant?
A. A nice restaurant in Puerto Rico! We have a phenomenal chef called Wilo Benet and his food is exquisite. I love it.
Q. Where is the most romantic destination?
A. I would say Cabo and Santa Barbara. I’m dying to go to San Miguel de Allende in Mexico with my husband. I haven’t been there yet, but it seems like the most romantic destination ever.
Q. If you’ve ever gone away for the holidays, which was the best trip?
A. Puerto Rico, my homeland. My whole family is in Puerto Rico. Christmas means a lot to our people and we have a blast when we take the family. We love it. Christmas in Puerto Rico is great. The traditions are fantastic. We have the parranda (the Puerto Rican version of caroling), which is incredible. The food is exquisite, too.
Q. Do you speak any foreign languages?
A. I speak English and Spanish. I do not pick up languages easily.
Q. What are your five favorite cities?
A. San Juan, Barcelona, Panama City, Miami, Vancouver.
Q. Where have you traveled to that most reminded you of home?
A. Panama is a beautiful place and it reminds me of Puerto Rico a lot. It’s like the same feeling (I got from) Barcelona. I feel like I have lived there before.
Q. Where would you like to go that you have never been to before?
A. San Miguel de Allende in Mexico. Australia as well.
Q. When you go away, what are some of your must-have items?
A. Face soap from Raya. I need my phone, a good book and that’s it.
Q. What would be your dream trip?
A. I am dying to go to Japan very badly, so that would be a dream.
Q. What is your guilty pleasure when you’re on the road?
A. In every country and city that I visit, I need to go to a spa. I love having massages.
Q. What kind of research do you do before you go away on a trip?
A. My husband is the one who plans everything. He is very specific and takes care of it all with a little input from me. I get involved with the hotels.
Q. What is your best and/or worst vacation memory?
A. Best is when my husband and I went to a wedding in Paris. We went from Paris to Prague to Spain. That vacation was incredible. Worst was when we went to a destination and the entire family got influenza — my husband, my nanny, my mother-in-law and my two kids. That vacation turned out to be a nightmare.
© 2019 JAE-HA KIM
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