Celebrity Travel: Go Away With Tim Love

Chef and restaurateur Tim Love is one of the stars of CNBC's series "Restaurant Startup." The reality show helps potential restaurateurs by investing money in new restaurants. He says one way he keeps on top of culinary trends is via travel.

"Cooking is really not the hard part," says Love, 44. "When you travel, you experience different cultures and see how they do different things. This inspires me to incorporate new ideas and experiment with different cuisines, ingredients and flavors."

When not filming, Love resides in Fort Worth, Texas. Fans may follow him on Twitter at https://twitter.com/cheftimlove.

Q. What is your favorite vacation destination?

A. Anguilla. One year, my family and three (other) families went to Anguilla for Thanksgiving and rented a big house right on the beach. Instead of having a traditional Thanksgiving meal, we asked the resort if we could build a campfire on the beach, which they let us do. I had caught a bunch of snapper that morning and we set up a beautiful table right by the ocean. I cooked the whole meal on the bonfire. We watched the sun go down and had cocktails. It was one of the most spectacular Thanksgivings I have ever had in my life. Embarrassingly cool.

Q. What was the first trip you took as a child?

A. I remember going to Ruidoso, New Mexico, to ski. I am the youngest of seven kids so going anywhere wasn't a breeze. The closest one to me is seven years older than me. During our trip to this little ski resort, our motor home got stuck with all nine of us in it. I am sure it was a big pain for my dad but, us kids had a wonderful time. We skied a bunch and then, when we got snowed in, we were excited because we didn't have to go back to school and we just skied some more. Ruidoso is actually a great family ski spot, especially for beginner skiers as it isn't that steep. Plus you are always bound to have fun when you put enough people in one itty bitty motor home. We always found a way to enjoy each other.

Q. What's the most important thing you've learned from your travels?

A. Check the weather and plan on your plane being late. My plane is late every time I go somewhere, so I just plan on it and it makes it a lot better. I always try to take the first flight out because 99 percent of the time it is never late. And then also check the weather. It is so easy to do with today's technologies, with your iPhone, or whatever. Checking the weather allows you to pack properly, which ensures a much better, less stressful time wherever you go.

Q. Where are your favorite weekend getaways?

A. New Orleans, my ranch, Nashville and Las Vegas. It really depends on the mood for the one I want to choose. Nashville is great because I love its countryside and it is so pretty, especially in springtime. Plus it is just a really fun city and not too big, so it is not overwhelming. It has a booming little food scene. On the other end of the spectrum is Las Vegas, where I like to go to unwind and donate some money to the casinos. You can just get out there, cut loose and not really worry. Just go out, drink some cocktails and have some fun!

Q. Where is the most romantic destination?

A. I would have to say London. London is very dear to me because my wife and I have had some really amazing trips there. We spent our 10th anniversary there and, with Paris being so easy to get to, managed to sneak in a little side trip to there. London is rare, because it is always cool so it lends itself to strolling around. Plus, it's nice to speak the language. There is just something about that city that my wife and I love.

Q. What are your five favorite cities?

A. New York City, London, Nashville, Austin and Toronto.

Q. Where would you like to go that you have never been to before?

A. Hong Kong. I have just heard so many great things about Hong Kong. It sounds like New York City or London on drugs with all this crazy stuff, so much booming business and the insane food scene. I would just love to experience that.

Q. When you go away, what are some of your must-have items?

A. Phone, music, headphones, solar charger, swimsuit and raincoat.

Q. What would be your dream/fantasy trip?

A. I'd love to hop on a private yacht and travel the Caribbean for a month. I'd love to never put a pair of shoes on for a month. Drink some great wine, eat some great food, phone doesn't work...

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(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.)