Star treks: Celebrity travelers

3:43 PM EDT, September 20, 2011

Star TV chef loves a getaway on Spanish island of Ibiza

Emeril Lagasse is back with a new cooking show, "Emeril's Table," for the Hallmark Channel. On each episode, the famous chef cooks for a handful of guests at his table, as he shows them how to create some of his classic dishes. Lagasse, a food correspondent for "Good Morning America," also has a new cookbook: "Sizzling Skillets and other One-Pot Wonders."

3:20 PM EDT, September 13, 2011

Comic's haven is Orlando, but Cabo was heavenly

Born in Rockledge, Fla., Scott Thompson did his first stand-up routine while a freshman in college. These days, the redheaded comic goes by the moniker Carrot Top. The 46-year-old comedian and actor has a multiyear deal with the Luxor Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, where this fall he will perform his 1,500th show. "I live in Las Vegas, where we've got gambling, smoking and prostitution," jokes Carrot Top. "Bring the kids!" Read more atcarrottop.com.

3:16 PM EDT, September 6, 2011

Actress dreams of Rome — and eating at Sonic

There is no doubt that Kristin Chenoweth works hard at her career. But the 4-foot-11-inch actress and singer makes it all seem effortless. She originated the role of Glinda in the musical "Wicked," won an Emmy for her work on "Pushing Daisies" and earned critical praise for her CDs. Her latest album is "Some Lessons Learned." Born in Broken Arrow, Okla., Chenoweth, 43, splits her time between Los Angeles and New York.

8:22 PM EDT, August 30, 2011

Australia has a hold on 'Iceman' of martial arts

Ultimate Fighting fans know Chuck Liddell as The Iceman. But since retiring last year, the 41-year-old mixed martial artist now is known as The EVP -- the executive vice president of business development for the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He also is featured in the new DVD and Blu-ray release "UFC: Bad Blood -- Liddell vs. Ortiz," which documents Liddell's long-standing rivalry with fellow MMA superstar Tito Ortiz. Liddell, who also competed on "Dancing With the Stars," jokes that taking a roundhouse kick to the face is nothing compared with mastering the pasodoble.

3:36 PM EDT, August 23, 2011

Actress favors Hanoi, Seoul as top cities

Diane Farr says she got a late start in traveling and didn't leave the country until she was 15. But since then, the 41-year-old actress ("Californication," "Rescue Me," "Numb3rs") has more than made up for it by traveling all around the world, primarily alone. That exposure to other cultures — as well as her marriage to a man of a different ethnicity — inspired her to write the funny and astute memoir "Kissing Outside the Lines: A True Story of Love and Race and Happily Ever After" (Seal Press, $24.95). Farr lives in Los Angeles with her husband and three young children. Check out getdianefarr.com for information on her latest projects.

August 3, 2011

Comic likes unwinding in Hawaii

When Loni Love was in her 20s, her company was undergoing massive layoffs. As an electrical engineer, Love was making a nice salary and had good benefits. But she wasn't happy with her career.

July 27, 2011

'True Blood' actress favors South Africa

Kristin Bauer portrays Pam, a bloodthirsty vampire, on HBO's hit series "True Blood." In real life, the 44-year-old actress, born in Racine, Wis., lives in Los Angeles with her husband, singer Abri van Straten, their two dogs and two cats.

July 21, 2011

Singer rates Barbados his top vacation spot

With more than 60 gold albums and 24 platinum records, Engelbert Humperdinck has a voice (and name) that is known to generations of fans. The 75-year-old musician's repertoire of No. 1 hits includes "Release Me," "There Goes My Everything" and "After the Lovin'." He is touring to support his latest CD, "released." For dates, check his website at engelbert.com.

July 13, 2011

'Inexpensive Hawaii' can be found in Belize

Kenneth Choi has two high-profile films in the hopper. He portrays Jim Morita, one of the Howling Commandos in the action film "Captain America: The First Avenger." He also has finished shooting the remake of "Red Dawn." A resident of Los Angeles, the 39-year-old actor talks about some of his favorite places and explains why he wants to revisit a destination that conjures up bad memories.

July 6, 2011

2 of singer's favorites: Bahamas, motorcycles

Born in Utah and raised in Alaska, singer Jewel Kilcher, known professionally simply as Jewel, has put down roots in Texas with husband Ty Murray. She debuted in 1995 with her album "Pieces of You," which sold more than 15 million copies, thanks to her hits "Who Will Save Your Soul," "You Were Meant for Me" and "Foolish Games." Fittingly, she is the host of the Bravo singer-songwriter competition "Platinum Hit," where she also serves as one of the judges.

4:05 PM EDT, June 28, 2011

Fashion designer rates Italy the best vacation

Fashion designer Amsale Aberra, known professionally simply as Amsale, is synonymous with upscale wedding gowns that can cost $75,000. Aberra stars in the WE tv reality series "Amsale Girls," which focuses on the brides who frequent her New York boutique and the women who help them pick out their fantasy dresses.

3:47 PM EDT, June 21, 2011

Actor loves New Zealand, Cook Islands

Christopher Gorham has a good theory about stardom: "When people ask me, 'Are you famous?' I'm like, 'Well, I guess, no." The 36-year-old California-based actor is shooting the second season of the spy series "Covert Affairs," which airs on the USA Network. He portrays a former CIA operative named Auggie, who was blinded during a mission. To many viewers, he'll be recognizable as America Ferrera's accountant boyfriend, Henry, on "Ugly Betty." Gorham and his wife, actress Anel Lopez Gorham, have three children.

3:53 PM EDT, June 15, 2011

Distance swimmer sees magic in Paris

Diana Nyad is back in the news. In the next few weeks, the swimming legend will attempt a 103-mile swim from Cuba to Florida, a feat she failed to accomplish in 1978, when she was in her late 20s. The 61-year-old athlete won worldwide fame in 1975 when she made a record-setting swim around Manhattan in less than eight hours. Four years later, Nyad set a distance record for swimming nonstop over open water from Bimini to Florida.

4:45 PM EDT, June 7, 2011

For perfect weather, food, his goal is Bora Bora

Landon Donovan is the face of American soccer. An all-time leader in scoring and assists for the U.S. National Soccer team, the 29-year-old also is a star player for the Los Angeles Galaxy. Donovan, based in Southern California, is a four-time winner of the U.S. Soccer male athlete of the year.

4:50 PM EDT, May 17, 2011

New York tops the list for young actress

Eden Sher does such a good job portraying Patricia Heaton's awkward teen daughter Sue Heck on the ABC series "The Middle" that people often don't recognize her in public. "That's good, right?" said the 19-year-old actress. "On a good day, I probably look about 16, but when the makeup and wardrobe folks are done with me, I probably look about 13." Sher, who is on the wait list at Barnard College, said that even if she had been admitted, she would have deferred for at least another year. "I value education very much, but I know that acting opportunities won't always be there for me. So I'm going to pursue my education a little later and just enjoy working right now."

5:48 PM EDT, May 10, 2011

CELEBRITY TRAVELER: Houseboating trip most fun for comedian

On his latest project "Sinbad: It's Just Family," the 54-year-old comedian/actor takes a stab at reality television, letting the WE TV cameras into his home to record life in his household. The stars of the show include wife Meredith Fuller and their two grown children.

4:13 PM EDT, April 26, 2011

CELEBRITY TRAVELER: Actor vacations in Italy, always travels light

Raymond J. Barry has one of those faces that people recognize. It's the name that sometimes draws a blank.

4:28 PM EDT, April 21, 2011

Busy day in N.Y. is best for Claire Forlani

Claire Forlani played Sean Connery's daughter in "The Rock," was Brad Pitt's love interest in "Meet Joe Black" and starred opposite Gary Sinise in "CSI: NY." On the new Starz series "Camelot," the 38-year-old actress reigns supreme as the beautiful and complicated Queen Igraine. She will also have a recurring role on the CBS-TV crime show "NCIS: Los Angeles." Married to actor Dougray Scott, the busy actress splits her time between Los Angeles and her native London.

3:53 PM EST, January 25, 2011

CELEBRITY TRAVELER RAY CHEN: Violinist likes heat with his cruises

Born in Taiwan, raised in Australia and living in Philadelphia, classical violinist Ray Chen doesn't spend much time at home these days. "I really live out of a suitcase," said the 21-year-old musician, whose debut CD, "Virtuoso," is just being released. "But I love seeing the world and traveling, so I'm not complaining. I'm building up lots of frequent-flier miles, so it's a win-win situation for me." A 2010 graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music, Chen is touring to promote his album. For current concert dates, check his website at raychenviolin.com.

July 24, 2010

Celebrity Traveler: Joe Manganiello

'True Blood' werewolf likes Australia

"Twilight" fans may refer to themselves as Team Edward or Team Jacob, but "True Blood" aficionados are all about the new werewolf in town: Alcide Herveaux. Joe Manganiello plays the sexy lycanthrope in the third season of the vampire series, which airs on HBO. Born and raised in the Pittsburgh area, the 33-year-old actor who once earned a living as a roadie for the rock band Goldfinger now calls Los Angeles home. As for his next destination, Europe, which he has never visited, is calling him.