For Mad Men's Rich Sommer (who plays Harry Crane), a trip to Europe has sparked a travel revolution.
WHICH WAS YOUR BEST HOLIDAY?
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Probably my first time out of North America, which was actually only in October! My lovely wife and I headed to Europe to visit London, Bath and Paris. It was our first vacation without our kids since we had our first [child], seven years ago.
AND THE BEST HOTEL YOU'VE STAYED IN?
We once had the chance to stay in the Presidential Suite at La Costa Resort in Carlsbad, California. It was unreal. Thank goodness we weren't footing the bill.
WHAT DO YOU ALWAYS TAKE WITH YOU?
Too much stuff. I know this a cliche, but I am a notorious over-packer. I always try to be minimal when packing but somehow I fail, time and time again.
WHAT DO YOU NEED FOR A PERFECT HOLIDAY?
Time. I really think - for me anyway - that it takes time to unwind and get into the holiday groove. I'm not the kind of guy who arrives and relaxes instantly. A decent holiday for me requires at least a few weeks.
WHAT'S YOUR BEST PIECE OF TRAVEL ADVICE?
Over-planning can often be prohibitive to really great travel experiences. I think that the best thing to do in a new place is to just get out and walk. See the area. Don't worry about having a destination, just walk.
AND YOUR WORST EXPERIENCE ON HOLIDAY?
This is a toughie. I've had pretty good luck when travelling, you see. However - and this is really scraping the barrel - when I was six, and was supposed to go and see the Statue of Liberty, I got in trouble and was punished by not being allowed to go. I ended up not seeing it until I was 22. I guess that'll count.
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST PACKING MISTAKE YOU'VE MADE?
Since I'm an over-packer, I usually have more than I need. So it's rare that I've forgotten something, but it's common that I have a bag for each day. Which is usually a mistake.
WHERE DO YOU WANT TO GO NEXT?
Anywhere that's not my home. I know that leaves me with endless possibilities, but after recently seeing London, Paris and Melbourne in succession, I've really gotten the travel bug. The world is my oyster, and I want to see more.
Rich Sommer was in Melbourne last month as a guest of Schweppes Australia during the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
