by Jae-Ha Kim and Tribune Content Agency from Celebrity Travel, August 22, 2017
Before Stephanie Hollman landed a starring role on Bravo's reality series, "The Real Housewives of Dallas," she was a social worker, helping homeless women and children, as well as victims of domestic violence. Hollman resides in Dallas with her husband, Travis, and their two sons, Chance and Cruz. Fans may keep up to date with her activities via her lifestyle website (http://stephaniehollman.com), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/stephhollman) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/stephhollman).
Q. What is your favorite vacation destination?
A. My favorite place to go with my husband is Paris in the spring. It is so romantic, the city is stunning, the food is insane and don't even get me started on the wine. Travis and I love to go there for kid-free vacations where we can reconnect and spend some quality time in the city of love. (First-time visitors) should definitely check out the tourist spots, such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre Dame and go shopping at Champs-Elysees. Some of my places to eat in Paris include Monsier Bleu (for the) great atmosphere and incredible people-watching. I also love L'Afflable with their seasonal menu and great wine.
Q. What was the first trip you took as a child?
A. My first trip as a child was to Walt Disney World in Florida. The hotel had a pool and I thought it was the coolest thing in the world. I remember leaving with the life goal of working as a Disney princess at the park one day.
Q. Have you traveled to a place that stood out so much that you felt compelled to incorporate it into your work?
A. My husband and I love Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, due to its convenience and gorgeous weather. We have been renting the same home there for four years and have recently started taking our employees there for a company trip. I think it's a great way for everyone to bond and it's such a treat to be able to say thank you for all their hard work by treating them to a vacation.
Q. Where are your favorite weekend getaways?
A. We love going to Austin. It's a three-hour drive and we have so many great friends who live there. The music scene is awesome and there are so many great spots to eat by the lake. I love how relaxed the people are, too, it's just a cool city.
Q. Where is the most romantic destination?
A. Travis and I went to Lake Como, Italy, for my birthday a few years ago. It was hands down the most romantic place I have ever been. The town is so charming and the views are remarkable. We stayed at the Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni, walked around the city and he surprised me with a private sunset cruise on the lake to find George Clooney's house. It was a trip I will never forget!
Q. If you've ever gone away for the holidays, which was the best trip?
A. We spend Thanksgiving in Maui with my husband and his family. The boys have so much fun at the beach with their cousins and I love the slow-paced island lifestyle. It's one of our favorite places to travel and the place Travis and I got engaged.
Q. What are your five favorite cities?
A. While I love Dallas as my home, my favorite cities to visit are Palm Springs, New York City, San Diego, Los Angeles and, of course, my hometown, Coweta, Oklahoma!
Q. Where would you like to go that you have never been to before?
A. I would love to visit Australia. My husband has some family that lives there and it is definitely on my bucket list of things to do. I think that will be a kid-free trip, though. My boys would not take too kindly to a 15-hour flight!
Q. What would be your fantasy trip?
A. Croatia would be a dream come true. They have some of the most beautiful architecture and the water is absolutely breathtaking. Plus, I hear they have some of the most amazing coffee, which is a win for me!
Q. What kind of research do you do before you go away on a trip?
A. My husband has traveled everywhere, so I always trust his opinion. But my favorite form of research is to creep through Instagram and look at other people's pictures! If they looked like they had a good time, I'm in! That is also a great way to get restaurant and activity recommendations!
Q. What is your worst vacation memory?
A. When I was younger, my dad would force us to go on vacations to watch NASCAR races. It was dirty and nasty, and every vacation we went on was based on a NASCAR race that my dad wanted to see. One year, my dad made us go to the NASCAR museum and I remember trying to fake an illness so that I could stay in the hotel and forfeit the museum. That didn't work. Thankfully, he doesn't do that anymore!
(Jae-Ha Kim is a New York Times bestselling author and travel writer. You can respond to this column by visiting her website at www.jaehakim.com. You may also follow "Go Away With..." on Twitter at @GoAwayWithJae where Jae-Ha Kim welcomes your questions and comments.)
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This article is written by Jae-Ha Kim and Tribune Content Agency from Celebrity Travel and was legally licensed via the Tribune Content Agency through the NewsCred publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@newscred.com.
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