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Kaley Cuoco’s Memorable Travel Experiences and Family Adventures

Kaley Cuoco has spent time in breathtaking locations around the globe for her acting career, including Thailand for the production of Max’s Flight Attendant and Berlin for the upcoming Prime Video movie “Role Play.” Yet, among all these stunning locales, Iceland stands out as her favorite destination.

In a recent interview with Travel + Leisure, the star of The Big Bang Theory shared her unexpected fondness for the country, stating, “I didn’t know what to expect, and I hate being cold, but it ended up being truly one of my favorite places I’ve ever been.”

During her time filming the second season of Flight Attendant in Iceland one December, Cuoco encountered the unique challenge of limited daylight, which she described as “a wild adventure.” Despite this, she was charmed by the warmth of the locals, navigable surroundings, and the “stunning” scenery. “You’re surrounded by glaciers and open sky, and the food was amazing,” she remarked. “I can’t say enough good things.”

Cuoco, a strong believer in turning dream vacations into reality, has partnered with Priceline on a campaign aimed at encouraging people to stop merely imagining their perfect getaways and actually book them. “We all do it, whether we’re dreamscrolling through vacations, a new home, or certain makeup; we just keep going,” she stated. “I love that with this campaign, we’re popping in and saying, stop. When you book that trip, most of the time, it’s the right idea, and you won’t regret it.”

Despite the exotic destinations her work has led her to, Cuoco prefers more tranquil and personal settings for her own vacations. “Upstate New York is our happy place,” she shared, referring to her experiences there with partner Tom Pelphrey, their 23-month-old daughter Matilda, and their dog. “It’s a dream trip since we don’t get out there often, but it’s a very special place for us and our family.”

Her fondness for Upstate New York also stems from her connection to Pelphrey, whom she met there. “It’s way up in the mountains, so there’s tons of beautiful hikes,” she noted, emphasizing their love for outdoor cooking and dining.

Cuoco finds joy in the simple pleasures, particularly enjoying time in the yard. “You get such intense seasons, like in the winter with the snow, and in the spring and fall with the leaves changing—there’s something really magical about it,” she said.

The three-time Emmy nominee has also expressed her desire for comfort while traveling for work. “I’ve never been a super comfortable traveler,” she revealed. “As we get older, there are just things you need, like my pillow, a certain blanket, my coffee maker, and certain things that give me the feel of home while also helping me enjoy the new environment.”

Once she settles in, Cuoco prefers to immerse herself in the local culture. “You’ve got to kind of get immersed in your environment,” she said, expressing excitement for an upcoming project that will take her to France for an extended stay.

Quickfire Travel Preferences with Kaley Cuoco

Window or aisle?
Aisle, always. I am extremely claustrophobic, so I don’t like being near the window.

One thing you can’t travel without?
My earbuds.

How do you pass time on flights?
Even though nowadays you can get online, I like to turn my phone off. When you’re flying, you have an excuse and don’t have to answer anything. I love catching up on movies and getting uninterrupted sleep. I have a weird gift that I can sleep anywhere. I can literally lay on the ground and sleep for an hour. People are very jealous of that gift!

Travel pet peeve?
This is super dark, but I hate going into the bathroom on the plane. I have a sincere fear I’m going to get stuck in there.

Co-star who would be the best travel buddy?
Chris Messina [from Based on a True Story]. We laugh for hours on end, so he’d be a fun guy to travel with. But I think he hates traveling and wouldn’t want to go too far. We’d probably go to New York because we both love it there.

As a mother to a young child, Cuoco has had to adapt her travel approach. She mentioned using Priceline’s specialized filters for parents and pet owners, making it easier to find suitable family-friendly and pet-friendly accommodations.

“On a personal level, traveling with a kid is still very new for me, and I’m learning to be extra prepared with snacks, iPads, and all the things you can imagine,” she explained. Her candid secret for smoother travels includes, “A very stiff drink when I get on a plane!”

In addition to packing an array of toys and ensuring kid-friendly entertainment is available, Cuoco’s travel tip involves avoiding seats in the front row: “People think that’s like a really cool thing to get on the plane first and get off first, but it’s the worst because you cannot store anything,” she noted about the lack of under-seat space. She added that she often finds herself apologizing to fellow passengers.

Nevertheless, Cuoco is eager to introduce Matilda to more of the world, recently taking her to Disneyland in Anaheim for the first time during the Christmas season. “Our family used to save up all year to take me and my sister to Disneyland, and I have so many unbelievable memories,” she reflected, calling the experience with her daughter “the best thing we could have ever done.” She hopes Matilda will recall these early adventures even if she is only two years old.

Looking ahead, Cuoco expresses a desire for an extended family vacation to Walt Disney World in Florida. “I’ve been to so many amazing places, but we want to bring our daughter and have a whole week there. Honestly, that would be the trip of a lifetime.”

For those indulging in dreamscrolling, Cuoco encourages taking action to make those vacation fantasies a reality. “Travel is important—that’s where the memories are made,” she emphasized. “There’s always a reason not to go, but then you book it and you have this amazing time and all these memories. That’s what life is all about.”

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