When television audiences met Kendra Wilkinson-Baskett, she was presented as one of Hugh Hefner's
girlfriends on "Girls Next Door." Now married to wide receiver Hank
Baskett, the 27-year-old California native is a mom, author ("Sliding
into Home," "Being Kendra") and star of her own reality series, WE tv's
"Kendra On Top." An avid traveler who enjoys active vacations, the TV
personality says one city stands out: Seattle. "Hank proposed to me
there," she says."Seattle will always be special to me." Fans may follow
@KendraWilkinson.
Q. What is your favorite vacation destination?
A. Hawaii, because the people are so nice, the food is great and we get
to have a relaxing vacation while still doing a lot of fun water
sports. I like places that have the best of both worlds — places where
you can kick back and relax, and where you can also get out and see the
sights.
Q. To someone who was going there for the first time, what would you recommend that they do during their visit?
A. Hang ten! Anything outdoors really, like whale watching, hiking,
going to the beach. There is so much beauty in Hawaii that you should
just get outside and see it all.
Q. What untapped destination should people know about?
A. Whistler, Canada. I'm not sure if it really counts as untapped, but
it was somewhere I had never been and it was absolutely breathtaking. It
was also so romantic! My husband and I will definitely be going back
there.
Q. What was the first trip you took as a child?
A. We went to Yosemite, Calif. I had a great time, because it is everything I like: the outdoors, nature, hiking; it was a lot of fun.
Q. Where are your favorite weekend getaways?
A. Rancho Palos Verdes outside of Los Angeles is one of my favorites.
It is so close to where we live, but when you're there you feel like
you're a world away. San Diego is another one that is great for us for a
weekend. Again, it is somewhat close to where we live but it's a
totally different place. Las Vegas is, of course, an all-time favorite.
It's a 45-minute flight for me and my friends. It's a quick and easy
getaway where we always have a blast.
Q. How do your travels differ depending on whether you're working or taking a vacation?
A. When I'm traveling, I like to really do all the local things and
experience where I am. I was just in Nashville for work, but when I had
time off I made it fun and toured the city. I went to famous local
restaurants and even line danced. When I'm on vacation I just want to
relax. I will totally get out and try to experience the culture as well.
But my main focus is just to get away and relax. Who I'm traveling with
also changes everything.
Q. What are your favorite hotels?
A. Loews Coronado Bay (http://www.loewshotels.com/Coronado-Bay-Resort) in Coronado, Calif., is gorgeous. We stay there all the time. Le Blanc Spa Resort (http://www.leblancsparesort.com/) in Cancun is another favorite of ours. The Edgewater Hotel (http://www.edgewaterhotel.com/) in Seattle is where Hank and I went back to celebrate our anniversary. Montage Beverly Hills (http://www.montagebeverlyhills.com/) is my favorite local spot.
Q. What are your five favorite cities?
A. San Diego definitely, because it's where I'm from and it will always
be home. Los Angeles, because that is where I call home now and where
my family and I live. I was just in Nashville recently and it quickly
became one of my favorite cities. The people there were awesome and I
loved the country vibe. Indianapolis will always have a special place in
my heart, because it is where I was pregnant and where I had my son. I
met so many amazing people there and even though it had some cold
winters, it was absolutely beautiful. Miami is another one of my
favorites because it is the perfect place for a getaway with your
friends. If you want to just go to the beach and relax, it is perfect.
But it's also perfect to party and let loose. There really is no place
like Miami.
Q. Where have you traveled to that most reminded you of home?
A. Hawaii actually reminded me a lot of home. The people were laidback
and outdoorsy — a bunch of surfers! It's a total breath of fresh air
that reminded me of San Diego a lot.
Q. Where would you like to go that you have never been to before?
A. Tahiti! It looks gorgeous! The water looks so clear, the scenery
looks amazing and it seems so relaxing! I'm such a beachy, tropical girl
so I think it would be the perfect place!
Q. When you go away, what are some of your must-have items?
A. Sunscreen, bikini, beach bag, an umbrella, sunglasses. ... Also, all
my own bath stuff like shampoo, conditioner and bath soap. I can't use
hotel items for some reason!
Q. What would be your dream trip?
A. A long and somewhat relaxing tour of Europe. I've done a tour of
Europe before, but it wasn't too relaxing. I would want to really spend
time in each city to get to experience it. I don't like having to leave a
city after a day or two. I want to see everything, if I'm there.
Q. What are your favorite restaurants?
A. Mastro's (http://www.mastrosrestaurants.com/)
steakhouse is one of my all-time favorites. My husband and I go there
all the time. We're totally regulars there. It has amazing food and the
best side dishes ever! Chickie's and Pete's (http://www.chickiesandpetes.com/)
in Philly is another one of my favorites. They are famous for the crab
fries and I love their cheese steaks. You can't find one like it
anywhere! When we were living in Philly, it was a staple for us. STK (http://www.stkhouse.com/) is another steakhouse I love. I love a good steak and Los Angeles has some amazing steak houses.
Q. What is your guilty pleasure when you're on the road?
A. Airplane snacks and snacks from the mini-bar in hotel rooms. I'm a
snacker, so I am all over anything in the mini-bar that is snacks! The
best part of staying at hotels for me is seeing what's in the mini-bar.
Q. What kind of research do you do before you go away on a trip?
A. I like to see what is in the surrounding areas and not just the main
city we are going to. Sometimes the coolest places are outside of the
bigger city. I also research to make sure it has stuff that is
kid-friendly for my son.
(Jae-Ha Kim is a New York Times bestselling author and travel writer. You can respond to this column by visiting her website at http://www.jaehakim.com. You may also follow @GoAwayWithJae where Jae-Ha Kim welcomes your questions and comments.)
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