In this edition of Time Travellers, we chat with Kate Auletta, founding editor of Huffington Post Travel and AOL Travel Editor. We find out about her most memorable city break, her tips for travelling on a budget, her favourite historic sites and the difficulties she’d encounter if she married Winston Churchill...
Q: What’s your favourite historic site in the world and why?
A: Tough one. I’d say either the Parthenon, for its beauty and role in democracy; the Hagia Sophia, for its moving architecture; Stonehenge, because it does take your breath away in person, no matter how many times you’ve seen photos of it; Giverny, Monet’s gardens, because you can see the light he painted by; and last but not least, the Cabinet War Rooms in London. I think I’ve visited them 4 or 5 times, even though I’m ridiculously claustrophobic.
Q: If you could go anywhere on the planet tomorrow where would it be?
A: South America. I would give my right arm to go to South America — Peru, Brazil, the beaches of Uruguay, wine region in Argentina. Get me a ticket and I’ll happily go anywhere.
Q: What’s the most interesting city break you’ve been on?
A: London. Hands down one of my favorite places ever. I walked for 5 days straight and loved every second of my aching feet.
Q: What’s the most amazing ‘hidden historic site’ you’ve visited?
A: One of my favorite hotel experiences was staying at the Four Seasons Sultanahmet, which is built on top of a Turkish prison. The prison was the first of its kind. I stayed there the year it opened as the hotel. The staffers were so proud to give tours and were so knowledgeable. While it’s not exactly a “hidden historic site,” it’s certainly unexpected.
Q: If you could meet one person from history who would it be?
A: That’s impossible. How about top 5? Jefferson, to better understand his brilliance; MLK to understand why he was so calm despite all the hate; Vasco da Gama, because he would have seen some amazing things; Truman, to really pick his brain about the A-bomb; and last but not least, Margaret Sanger, a personal hero of mine.
Q: What tips would you give for someone seeking sites on a budget?
A: Plan your travel away from the crowds, i.e. don’t go to Europe in August if you don’t have to. That way you’ll avoid the masses, closed stores and inflated prices. And, though perhaps illegal, it might be good to bring along a student ID, if you graduated less than 3 years before, to get a discount on entrance fees (works like a charm). :)
Q: Beachside reading: historical fiction or historic fact?
A: Historical fact. I just finished David O. Stewart’s "The Summer of 1787" about the writing of the Constitution. It’s an impressive read, embellished with anecdotes from Madison’s own writings. It’s amazing to see how such a seminal document came together in one humid summer in Philadelphia.
Q: What’s your favourite period of history?
A: I could read about World War II and its aftermath forever. That said, I’m fascinated by the Italian Renaissance.
Q: Have you ever dressed up as a Roman?
A: Yes, but for Halloween!
Q: And finally…Caesar / Napoleon / Churchill: Kiss, Marry, Kill?
A: Love it. If I say marry Churchill, then do I have to go into the bunkers with him? (see above claustrophobia claim.)
If not, then kiss Caesar, marry Churchill, kill Napoleon.
Kate was the founding editor of Huffington Post Travel and is now the editor of AOL Travel as part of the Huffington Post Media Group. Before her days online, she worked at Vanity Fair, House & Garden and InStyle magazines. She graduated with a degree in History (her thesis was on the role of women in the fight against Cold War propaganda) from Davidson College, where she met her now-husband.
The views and opinions expressed in Time Travellers are those of the interviewee concerned and do not necessarily reflect those held by Historvius.
