Ashley Iaconetti, the former “Bachelor” and “Bachelor in Paradise” contestant, is in the midst of planning her summer wedding in Newport, R.I., to fellow “Bachelor” franchise alum Jared Haibon. She is also narrowing down possible honeymoon destinations that include Greece and Italy. The Great Falls, Va., native lives with Haibon and their two rescue dogs — Gurgi and Lois — in West Hollywood, Calif., but said the couple’s plans are to move to Rhode Island — Haibon’s home state — in about five years. Iaconetti, 30, is a contributor to Cosmopolitan.com, where she provides monthly wedding updates and recaps “Bachelor” shows. She also hosts two podcasts. She and Haibon just released a book called “Lucy and Clark, a Story of Puppy Love.” Iaconetti explained that it is a children’s book “loosely based on our love story — but deep down, it’s a story about overcoming your fears.” A portion of the proceeds will go to Sidewalk Angels Foundation, a charity founded by musician Rob Thomas and his wife, Marisol, that provides funding to animal rescue organizations. We caught up with Iaconetti to talk about all things travel.
Favorite vacation destination? Viceroy’s Sugar Beach Resort in St. Lucia. We were looking to go on vacation with our friends from the show, Jade [Roper] and Tanner [Tolbert], and they said the show was filmed there twice and that one of the producers stays there often. Then Chris Harrison [host and producer of the “Bachelor” franchise] told me that St. Lucia is his favorite place on the planet and Sugar Beach is his favorite resort. It just looks like you would imagine paradise to look like. Each house has its own pool — and I’m a weird pool snob; I don’t like sharing a pool with people — so it’s nice having your own. Everything is so lush and tropical and we love the fact that you can walk straight down from your little house less than a quarter of a mile and you’re in a lagoon that is perfectly warm and private.
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Favorite food or drink while vacationing? Mai Tai and whatever is the recommended local cuisine.
Where would you like to travel to but haven’t? Greece. We think we may go there — and to Italy — on our honeymoon. I also dream of staying in one of those on-the-water suites in Bora Bora.
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One item you can’t leave home without when traveling? Sweats. I can’t wear anything but cozy clothes on planes.
Aisle or window? I’m particular. If it’s a day flight and I don’t plan on sleeping, I like the aisle for space. If it’s early morning or night, I like the window seat so I can lean against the side of the plane to sleep.
Favorite childhood travel memory? Our yearly Royal Caribbean cruises — perfect for a family with teenagers and young 20-somethings. We loved having dinner and going to the show as a family and then meeting new people and hanging out . . . with our friends in the hot tub and in the promenade at night. We liked staying on the ship when everyone got off to go on the islands [because] it would be nice and quiet. It was more about the cruise than the islands.
Guilty pleasure when traveling? If I know I have to have perfect-looking makeup and skin the day after traveling, I’ll wear a moisturizing sheet mask on the plane; doesn’t cause me embarrassment.
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Best travel tip? Always stuff a duffle bag into your luggage just in case your suitcase is overweight or you buy stuff. You’ll have an extra carry-on and won’t need to pay overage fees.
JULIET PENNINGTON