What Happens When You Travel With Someone New? A Travel Expert Shares Her Secrets

A Movie About Love, Travel, and Quirky Habits

Imagine you just started dating someone. You think you know them pretty well — but then you go on a trip together, and suddenly you discover everything. The weird nighttime routines. The strange things they pack. The way they act in lines at the airport.

That’s exactly what happens in Marcia Kimpton’s 2025 film, "An American Abroad."

In the movie, a new couple decides to test their relationship by traveling together. Marcia Kimpton plays a character (also named Marcia) who has some very specific habits:

• She follows a multi-step nighttime routine to reduce her exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) — these are invisible energy waves that come from things like cell phones, Wi-Fi routers, and other electronics. Some people worry about them, though scientists generally say they’re safe at everyday levels.
• She refuses to stand in lines because they make her anxious.
• Her love interest, Arnold, brings a full-size metal detector to the beach in Greece to hunt for buried treasure.

Important Point: The movie is fictional, but Kimpton says it’s inspired by her real life. She’s been divorced for a long time and says almost everything in the film has happened to her "on some level." She even admits she stands in lines — so she’s not exactly like her character!

Who Is Marcia Kimpton?

Marcia Kimpton isn’t just an actress. She’s a travel expert with serious credentials:

• Her father, Bill Kimpton, founded the famous Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants chain.
• She has visited an estimated 58 countries for both work and vacation.
• She’s a former late-night TV host.
• She directed and co-wrote "An American Abroad."

She was even interviewed by USA TODAY from Namibia, where she was filming a documentary!

How Marcia Kimpton Likes to Travel

So how does someone who’s been to nearly 60 countries actually like to spend her vacation time? Here’s what she shared:

Her Perfect Day on Vacation

1. Hot yoga nearby — She’s so serious about this that she specifically chose Nice, France as her next destination because of its great hot yoga scene.
2. The best lunch in the area — She seeks out top chefs but prefers lunch over dinner. Why? It’s usually more affordable and less of a time commitment than a long, multi-course dinner.
3. A local restaurant at night — She likes to sit at the bar and soak in the atmosphere.
4. Organic food — This is a priority for her wherever she goes.
5. A guide on day one — She always hires a local guide on the first day of a trip to show her the sights.

Her Must-Pack Items

Like her character in the movie, Kimpton has a few things she never travels without:

• Balipura aura spray — This is a spray made with essential oils (concentrated plant extracts that smell nice and can help you feel calm).
• Unscented soy candles — "I just travel so much, I’m just a nomad, so for me the one thing is that candle or incense, and that kind of grounds me," she said. Think of it like bringing a little piece of "home" wherever you go — the familiar smell helps her feel settled in a new place.

Marcia Kimpton’s Hotel Tips

Growing up as the daughter of a hotel founder gave Kimpton a unique perspective on what makes a great place to stay. Here’s what she looks for:

1. An Intimate, Welcoming Experience

Her father’s philosophy with Kimpton Hotels was simple: make every guest feel like they have a relationship with the place. Especially when traveling alone, Kimpton wants to stay somewhere that makes her not feel lonely. She looks for small, intimate hotels where the staff actually cares about you.

Important Point: She discovered this firsthand while filming in Cappadocia, Turkey, where she got to know a local hotel manager who grew up in the region. He helped her whole crew get set up — and even made a cameo appearance in her movie!

2. Ecotourism Matters

In the last five years, Kimpton has started prioritizing ecotourism — this means choosing hotels and businesses that help protect nature and support local communities. "I now want my dollars to go help, if I have a choice, so that’s what I look at first," she said.

For example, the businesses she plans to feature in her Africa documentary all reinvest their money into:

• Saving animals
• Protecting land
• Creating jobs for indigenous (local) populations

3. Check the Location Carefully

Here’s a practical tip: always ask if your room faces a busy street. "If I’m on vacation, I don’t want to be on a busy road, even if it has a great view," Kimpton said. A gorgeous ocean view isn’t worth it if you can’t sleep because of constant traffic noise!

4. VIP Airport Services Can Be Worth It

Mid-range to high-end hotels can often help you book VIP airport services — these are special escorts who walk you through customs, grab your bags, and take you straight to your transportation. Based on Kimpton’s experience:

• They typically cost between $100 and $250
• Always book through a reputable provider (a trustworthy company with good reviews)

5. Keep Things in Perspective

Travel can be stressful — flight delays, lost luggage, language barriers. But Kimpton has some wise advice:

"I just think that if you’re traveling, to get to know the culture and get to know the people around you, and to just be grateful, because you’re so lucky to travel and see, I think, ultimately there’s so many good people."

Summary

Marcia Kimpton is a seasoned traveler with nearly 60 countries under her belt, and her new film "An American Abroad" draws on her real-life experiences with love and travel. Here are the key takeaways:

• Travel reveals who people really are — which is why traveling with a new partner can be both exciting and challenging.
• Build your perfect travel day around things that matter to you, whether that’s hot yoga, great lunch spots, or local guides.
• Pack items that "ground" you — familiar smells like candles or essential oil sprays can make any hotel room feel like home.
• Choose hotels that feel intimate and welcoming, especially when traveling alone.
• Support ecotourism when you can — your travel dollars can help protect nature and support local communities.
• Ask practical questions before booking, like whether your room faces a busy street.
• Consider VIP airport services for a smoother travel experience.
• Stay grateful — traveling is a privilege, and most people you’ll meet are good.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is "An American Abroad" about?
A: It’s a 2025 film written, directed by, and starring Marcia Kimpton. It follows a new couple who test their relationship by traveling together, revealing each other’s quirky habits and personal routines along the way.

Q: What are EMFs, and why does Kimpton’s character avoid them?
A: EMFs (electromagnetic fields) are invisible energy waves produced by electronic devices like cell phones, Wi-Fi routers, and power lines. While scientists generally consider them safe at everyday levels, some people prefer to minimize their exposure as a personal choice.

Q: What is ecotourism?
A: Ecotourism means traveling in a way that helps protect the environment and supports local communities. It includes choosing hotels and tour companies that reinvest in conservation efforts, animal protection, and job creation for local people.

Q: Why does Kimpton prefer lunch reservations over dinner at top restaurants?
A: Lunch at a top chef’s restaurant is usually more affordable and requires less time than a long, multi-course dinner. You get the same great food experience with a smaller commitment.

Q: What are VIP airport services?
A: VIP airport services are special escort services where a guide meets you at the airport, helps you skip through customs quickly, collects your luggage, and takes you directly to your transportation. They typically cost $100–$250 and can be arranged through your hotel.