Henry Golding’s Secrets for Stress-Free Travel
Henry Golding, known for his role as Nick Young in the hit film “Crazy Rich Asians,” has always had a deep passion for travel. Before his Hollywood fame, he was a presenter on BBC’s The Travel Show, where he took viewers on adventures around the world. “I’ve always been ingrained with this sort of lust for travel,” he shared in an interview. This love for exploration stems from his unique background—he was born in Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo, and moved to the U.K. as a child. His mother comes from the native Iban group, while his father is English. Growing up as a mixed-race individual, Golding learned to appreciate both his Western and Eastern roots.
Throughout his career as a travel TV host, he explored places he already knew and discovered new ones. When asked about his favorite filming locations, he highlighted Southeast Asia. “Thailand is always an amazing place. Malaysia is obviously where my heart is. I’ve spent a lot of time in Vietnam. All of Southeast Asia is amazing.”
Must-Have Travel Essentials
For any trip, Golding relies on a few essential items. His go-to travel must-haves include an eye mask and ear plugs. On airplanes, he prefers a tomato juice with ice, lemon, and a bit of pepper, paired with whatever crisps he can find. He also has a favorite hotel: the Cal Reiet in Santanyí, Mallorca, which he describes as a holistic retreat.
When it comes to filming locations, Golding has a soft spot for London, Munich, and Madrid. His dream destination that he hasn’t yet visited is Greenland. However, his greatest travel fear is losing his luggage and passport.
A Traveler’s Dream Experience
Golding swears by Singapore Airlines for its exceptional business-class experience. If he could choose a co-star to travel with, he would pick Nicole Kidman, as he knows she only flies private.
Now, after showcasing the world through his eyes, Golding is introducing his young daughters, Florence and Lyla, to the wonders of travel. “I’ve traveled my entire life. I did 10 years of traveling for work, and now, luckily, a little bit more leisure. With kids now, we try to go away as much as possible.”
Traveling with two kids under five isn’t easy, but Golding finds it rewarding. Whether it’s a romantic getaway to Paris or a family trip, he has a few tried-and-true tips for managing travel stress. “Try to stay on your time zone. When you go to bed, you’ve got to go to bed. Don’t be on your phone. Exercise, sweat it out. If you wake up early, go to the gym.”
Packing Like a Pro
Golding is a self-proclaimed “huge packing-cuber,” using packing cubes to keep his clothes organized. This method helps him stay efficient and avoid the chaos of disorganized luggage.
Through a partnership with Citi, Golding is encouraging other travelers to make the most of their trips. “The majority of my expenditures when I’m not working is on travel and eating out at restaurants. So why not be kind of rewarded for that?” He praises the Citi Strata Elite Card, which offers a range of benefits for frequent travelers.
Rewards for Frequent Travelers
The Citi Strata Elite Card provides 12x points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions, along with 6x points on air travel booked on cititravel.com. It also offers 6x points on restaurants during specific hours (Friday and Saturday, 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.) and 3x points on other times. For everyday purchases, cardholders earn 1.5x points.
Additional perks include a $300 annual hotel benefit, a $200 annual Blacklane car service credit, and a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fees. American Airlines loyalists will appreciate the ability to transfer Citi ThankYou Points to the airline. Cardmembers also receive four Admirals Club Citi Strata Elite passes each year and a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership.
