Celebrity Travel: Go Away With Cameron Mathison

"Entertainment Tonight" correspondent Cameron Mathison says that living in California makes it easy for his family to take mini vacations throughout the year. "We have so many options for an easy weekend getaway," says the 46-year-old actor. "We have the ocean, mountain, forest and desert choices -- all within a few hours."

Known for his breakthrough role portraying Ryan Lavery on "All My Children," his latest project is the "Murder, She Baked" made-for-TV films on Hallmark's Movies and Mysteries. The latest is "Murder, She Baked: A Deadly Recipe." Mathison lives with his family in Altadena, Calif. Fans may stay in touch with him via Twitter (https://twitter.com/CameronMathison) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/CameronMathison).

Q. What untapped destination should people know about?

A. Well, if it's untapped I don't want to give it away. I think the most incredible vacation I've been on to an almost untapped location was to the Galapagos Islands. It totally blew my mind. Every island is different. Some look like you are on the moon. The wildlife is everywhere, some animals only exist there and, of course, the history of Charles Darwin. It's like nothing I've ever seen or done before.

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

A. The first trip I remember taking was to Disney World as a child. We lived in Montreal, so it was a big deal to make it down to Orlando. I was physically handicapped at the time -- I had a degenerative bone disease called Legge Perthes in both my femur bones -- and had to wear a large rigid metal A-frame brace on my legs. I remember how tricky it was to get around and how incredibly accommodating Disney was. I couldn't fit on many of the rides and Disney did their best to fit me in where possible.

Q. Have you traveled to a place that stood out so much that you felt compelled to incorporate it into your work?

A. I haven't really had the opportunity to incorporate a favorite place by choice, but I am lucky enough to work a ton in Vancouver. A lot of films shoot up there and I love that city. Turns out in the last four years, I've shot nine independent and TV movies there. When I'm there, I always make sure to hike The Chief and in the winter make a day trip up to Whistler Blackcomb to ski. Sometimes my family is able to visit me while shooting in Vancouver and we've been able to do some sightseeing together. Our favorites are Galiano Island and Capilano Suspension Bridge Park.

Q. Where is the most romantic destination?

A. The most romantic destination I have ever been to was the Four Seasons in the Maldives. My wife, Vanessa, and I went for our honeymoon and it was so spectacular it almost felt like a dream. I'm not even sure I can put it into words -- perfectly clear water, white beaches, unimaginable snorkeling and scuba diving and, of course, the weather was flawless.

Q. What are your five favorite cities?

A. New York, Paris, London, Vancouver and Tokyo.

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

A. This summer my wife and kids are doing a five-week tour of Europe and I'm joining them for 10 days. I've never been to Budapest, Vienna or Venice and I will visit those cities with them this July.

Q. What would be your ideal trip?

A. My dream trip is to Southeast Asia. I can't wait to someday explore Thailand, Burma, Bali and the Philippines. There is so much natural beauty there with the white sandy beaches and exotic jungles. I absolutely love Southeast Asian food and I find their culture magnificent. I look forward to photographing the temples, stupas and Buddhas.

Q. What is your guilty pleasure when you're on the road?

A. Warm cookies from room service. I can't resist them.

Q. What is your best and/or worst vacation memory?

A. My favorite memory would be Maldives for my honeymoon and Galapagos. For my worst, one year we decided to drive to Vail for Christmas instead of fly. On our drive home, my daughter, Leila, got sick and she ended up throwing up the entire drive home. Needless to say, that was the last time we drove.

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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.)