Travel the world for invaluable lessons
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.”
An edited version of our conversation follows.
Q: What is your favorite vacation destination?
A: I love Barcelona. I went once and 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.
Q: What was the first trip you took as a child? And did you love it?
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. 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 beneficial for every person to travel if they have the opportunity.
Q: Where is the most romantic destination?
A: 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: What are your five favorite cities?
A: San Juan, Barcelona, Panama City, Miami (and) 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: What would be your dream trip?
A: I am dying to go to Japan, so that would be a dream.
Q: What is your guilty pleasure when you’re on the road?
A: In every country and city I visit, I need to go to a spa. I love having massages.
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.