Murdoch Mystery Actress Shares her tips for getting away this Summer

As the weather turns fair Gemini award winning actress Helene Joy, currently starring in City TV's Murdoch Mysteries and HBO Canada's Durham County, shares her travel tips with woman.ca.

How to do you like to travel? Backpacking or boutique?

Oh good question. I am totally in love with both. When I went to Italy last summer it was boutique all the way. I think in Europe it is the way to go. The more unique and glamorous the accommodation the better. However when I have been in Asia, or South/Central America I usually don't know where I am headed next, and I just wander with no set plan. In these cases it has to be a backpackwith as little in it as possible. When you are dropped off on an island beach in your flip-flops and have to walk to find a place to stay, you don't want to be rolling a case.

Must have items when you travel?

Well, for either boutique or backpack, I think it is essential to have one sexy black dress. I have a pure silk dress I got in Club Monaco years ago that rolls up to the size of a dinner roll and doesn't crease. You can be on a remote island bare foot on the beach and still look a million dollars.

I once had everything stolen crossing the border from Guatemala to Mexico. I lost my money, passport, traveler's chequeseverything but the 50 pesos in my pocket. You'd be surprised how hard it is to get help or money sent if you have no proof of identity. So now I photocopy all my documents (tickets, Visa cards, passport etc) in triplicate!!

Can you share some of your favorite travel destinations?

I was recently on one of the tiny Gili Islands off the mainland of Lombok in Indonesia. There are no cars or motor cycles, just a few horse and cartsand maybe 200 people living on the island permanently. I felt like an explorer, and have never experienced such pristine beauty and peace. Then last summer, I visited the Amalfi Coast and was again blown away. It is completely different to Lombok but I think the Mediterranean has to be the most beautiful ocean I have ever had the joy of swimming in.

Any secret travel tips?

Expect nothing, be open to everything, and keep your wits about you.

Other than that, I takeone -can't put it down- brilliant novel on a trip. When I'm finished, I swap it with another traveler's book and see how many times you can do this until the end of the trip. Some of the best books I've ever read I came across this way.

How do you spend any spare time between your busy acting schedule?

Recently I have gotten really into cooking. I have always loved cooking Thai, but now I am learning a lot about vegan cooking and macrobiotics. I also am pretty passionate about yoga and running these days. As I have been moving between LA, Calgary and Toronto, it is nice to be able to do these things where ever I am.

What are your plans 2010?

There seems to be lots of work ahead this year, but at the end of it I am going to go for a good long trip. I will be heading to Australia this time for Christmas and I usually go somewhere else on the way. This year I am thinking India. Also if I get any time off in the summer, I really really want to go to Morocco and the Saharafingers crossed.

Daniel Kuseta
		About the author:
		Originally from Australia and now based in Toronto, Dan’s on a one-man mission to try (and hopefully taste) the best this city has to offer. Whether it's the latest launch, must-see show or a new take on tamales, follow Dan as he shares his experiences of Toronto with you.
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