Phaedra Parks Says Dehydration Is the Real Traitor When Traveling

Rapid fire

Window, middle, or aisle seat?

Aisle, because I usually take longer flights and I want to get up and go to the bathroom without asking people to excuse me and get out of my way.

Pack light or overpack?

Overpack. Honey, I never go anywhere without three full-size Louis Vuitton bags. Even if it’s just a weekend visit, I’m coming with a plethora of bags and carry-ons. You would think I’m moving away.

Favorite way to pass time on a plane

I’m the worst movie watcher in the world, so this is when I watch movies. If I go to the movies and I’m not on a flight, I go to sleep instantly. When I’m traveling, I can wake up and rewind it, and I can actually watch the whole movie. So I’ve now caught up on all of the movies that won Oscars. I’ll watch them, and then I’ll watch them again. I’ll watch them three times sometimes because I’ll fall asleep.

Biggest travel fear

Someone losing my bags and my luggage not making it. That’s the nightmare. When I was going to Bluestone Manor for The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip, someone had actually gone through my luggage and pilfered quite a few items. Obviously I was filming a show and I think I had six full-size Louis Vuitton bags at that time. One of them came through the airport and it was totally open with the covers off. All I could think of was all my great outfits and not having my accessories with everything. Thankfully, we had such great cast members and Jill Zarin let me borrow a little workout outfit because they took some of my workout stuff. I guess you cannot have too many Chanel sneakers.

Best tip for fighting jet lag

Try to sleep on the flight, even if you have to take some melatonin. I love the Airbus A350 and A300, which have the lie-flat beds. I will do whatever I have to do to make sure I get a cabin where I can actually recline for total sleep mode.

Favorite travel snack

I loved it when they used to have those Walker shortbread cookies on Delta flights. Some time along the way they stopped carrying those, but that’s my favorite.

Go-to drink order on a plane

My favorite travel drink is always club soda mixed with cranberry juice, half and half.

Must-have travel items