The one and only Doc Lawrence

Travel, wine and food lover Doc Lawrence talks with Men's Traveler about his adventures. Lawrence has written and edited scores of articles for many publications including Y'all magazine.

He is also a noted lecturer who is currently working on a musical play Then Sings My Soul and two books.

MT: What type of travel do you prefer- the laid back cruise-type vacation or the more rugged vacation that involves mountain biking?

DL: I like a variety. Much of my writing is in the area of gourmet lifestyles-fine dining and exquisite wines-but I do the rivers and backroads as well and fishing is a lifelong hobby.

MT: Does your choice of vacation help you to unwind from the boss?

DL: I have been self-employed most of my life. My vacations are always part of my work because I am gathering stories and photographs. Travel is the best way to learn about life after you have completed your formal education. MT: Tell us about some of the favorite places you like to dine and stay at.

DL: (lodge) while on the road. Dining is a long list. The Arizona Biltmore in Scottsdale; La Escalier in the Breakers Palm Beach; Oak Room at the Seelbach Hotel in Louisville; French Laundry in Napa. I like old luxury hotels over modern themes. Places like The Monteleone in New Orleans.

MT: What are your top places to visit?

DL: Dublin, Ireland. The Irish are the friendliest people on earth. They are well-educated and are fun to spend time with. Quebec City. Beautiful, Old World town with many cozy restaurants. New Orleans. Perhaps my favorite city on earth. My soul is connected to something there-perhaps the Voodoo community. Boston. For many of the same reasons I love Dublin. Wonderful restaurants, by the way. Miami Beach. Diversity, craziness, great weather, stylish and one of the worlds fine arts centers. Memphis. My King lived and died here. Home to another King, B.B., and the great Isaac Hayes. I could spend a lifetime in Sun Records. Austin, Texas. City's motto is "keep Austin Weird." Willie and Kinky Friedman live there and that's good enough for me. Apalachicola, Florida. One of the country's loveliest small towns. A national jewel. San Francisco. For the reasons everyone else loves the place.

MT: How do you deal with airport security?

DL: They do a great job and I never have a problem. I've found that a smile and kind words help move things along. Being rude or resentful hurts everyone and I deplore such bad conduct.

MT: What cool travel gear do you own that makes the experience better?

DL: I have a cellphone signal extender.

MT: Do you have advice for today's traveler?

DL: Explore America. You need several lives in order to scratch the surface. America is the best country on the planet. Explore, visit, dine make new friends and write about it.

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