Broadway star Carolee Carmello on playing Wordle, Connections . . . and a teenager
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Do you prefer booking trips through a travel agent or on your own?
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I usually book on my own, but it's stressful, so maybe I should try a travel agent.
Thoughts on an 'unplugged' vacation?
I think an unplugged vacation sounds amazing. As long as I don't have to give up my Words with Friends ... and my Wordle ... and my Connections ... and my Swipe Four. ... Maybe I'm not quite ready.
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What has been your worst vacation experience?
When my kids were young, I splurged on a trip to Florida on spring break for some sunshine and outdoor fun and it was cold and rainy every day. We could have stayed in New Jersey for that.
What is your favorite childhood travel memory?
We didn't have money for fancy vacations when I was a kid, but my parents always tried to make our trips fun with mini golf and games and silliness. Those are my favorite memories of those times.
Do you vacation to relax, to learn, or for the adventure of it all?
When my children were growing up, we would vacation to spend fun time together without worrying about work or schedules. Nowadays, my favorite vacations involve biking or hiking mixed with cultural experiences and good food.
What book do you plan to bring on your next vacation?
I can't wait for the next book in the Cormoran Strike series [by Robert Galbraith]. It comes out this September and I will definitely be asking for that for my birthday.
If you could travel with one famous person/celebrity, who would it be?
I think laughing is the best stress relief, so I'd take someone really funny, like Melissa McCarthy or Amy Schumer.
What is the best gift to give a traveler?
Time. So many of us don't have the time to actually travel because of work or family obligations. So, if someone could insert an extra week or two into the year, that would help a lot.
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What's your go-to snack for a flight or road trip?
Anything that includes peanut butter.
What's the coolest souvenir you've picked up on vacation?
Venetian glass from the island of Murano.
What's your favorite app or website for travel?
I use Kayak quite a bit.
What has travel taught you?
Whenever I travel to Europe, I am struck by how young our country is. ... We are really just trying to get through our awkward teen years.
What's your best travel tip?
Be nice to people. Americans abroad have a bad enough reputation. Don't make it worse.
Juliet Pennington can be reached at
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