Actress likes to explore on vacation
Best known as Isabelle Lightwood in “Shadowhunters: The Mortal Instruments,” MexicanLebanese actress Emeraude Toubia thinks her television alter ego would have been a great travel companion.
“She would be so fun,” Toubia says. “I am more of a stay-at-home-and-watcha-movie kind of girl. But Isabelle would definitely drag me out of bed to explore and have a fun time.”
Toubia, also an accomplished dancer (ballet, flamenco, lyrical and belly dance), recently purchased her first home in Los Angeles. Her first post-“Shadowhunters” role is as the star of the Hallmark Channel’s romantic movie “Love in the Sun.”
Q. You’ve filmed on location in various places. Which has been the most memorable and why?
A. My favorite so far has been Toronto. I was actually born in Montreal, Quebec, and all of my dad’s side of the family still resides there. So on long weekends, I would catch a quick 45minute plane ride and spend the weekend with my Lebanese family.
Q. You grew up in a multicultural household. Did your parents encourage you to speak any foreign languages at home?
A. I am bilingual. My mom is Mexican and only speaks Spanish. My dad is Lebanese. He speaks five different languages. I went to an English-speaking school and spoke Spanish at home. My dad did try to teach me some French and Arabic, but it was hard to keep up without much practice.
Q. What is your favorite vacation destination?
A. I would have to say Florence, Italy. It is such a magical place to me. I love roaming the cobblestone streets.
Q. To someone who was going there for the first time, what would you recommend that they do during their visit?
A. That they explore outside the touristy area. Find out where the locals love to enjoy a good breakfast or lunch.
Q. What untapped destination should people know about?
A. Lebanon. I went for the first time last year. It is extremely beautiful. It’s known as the Paris of the Middle East.
Q. What was the first trip you took as a child? And did you love it ... or not so much?
A. For my quinceanera, I went on an all-girls trip to Europe without parents — only chaperones. The experience was incredible, but a bit overwhelming. Mom and Dad weren’t there to help me with
Qanything. I had to be completely responsible on my own.
Q. What’s the most important thing you’ve learned from your travels?
A. Leave sleeping for later. Go out and enjoy the city.
Q. If you could pick only one place to travel to for an amazing meal, where would you pick?
A. My favorite taco place is in my hometown of Brownsville, Texas. It’s called El Ultimo Taco. The best tacos ever. I could eat them all day, every day.
Q. What would be your dream trip?
A. Las Coloradas in Mexico. Beautiful pink beaches! Yes, pink! It’s like if Elle Woods (the character Reese Witherspoon portrayed in “Legally Blonde”) created it in a dream.
Q. What is your best and/or worst vacation memory?
A. Best memory was being in Lebanon with my mom learning about my heritage. Worst was my luggage not arriving on time.