My favorite place in the whole world is the city of Paris. to me, Paris stands at the frontier of every major category of travel - in food, art, theater, history, in so many different areas that I simply don't get tired of it.

I find, on my own travels, that the most depressing form of culture shock is experienced when you go into a country that is under the thumb of a dictator.

Tourism does not go to a city that has lost its soul.

I'm somewhat antagonistic towards these various projects that charge $250,000 per person for the ability to be weightless for 3 minutes after being brought up from earth. I think there are such better uses for that money that i seriously question the ethics of spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on space flights for extremely wealthy people.

I always feel depressed when I go into a country under dictatorial rule.

Once abroad, I eat one meal a day picnic-style: Ive learned that no mature stomach can tolerate an endless routine of rich restaurant meals.

If I tell a hotel I'm a travel writer, I can't get out of there without spending a few hours looking at every single room!

In general, my advice is to seek out people and new ideas when you travel.

What a treasure of awesome sights and attractions our country has.