Bethenny Frankel Explains Why Her Daughter Is Her Go-To Travel Buddy and What She Never Fails to Pack for Flights

As the ultimate multi-tasker, Bethenny Frankel seamlessly transitions between various roles. One moment she’s the brains behind brands like Forever Young Wines and Mingle Mocktails, and the next she’s sharing her opinions on her Just B podcast. Her most recent project? Acting in the Lifetime film, Danger in the Dorm, which debuted in June. 

Regardless of her current project, the former Real Housewives of New York City star is consistently traveling to new places. 

“Traveling is a significant part of my life, and I see it as an adventure,” she shared with Travel + Leisure during a call earlier this summer. “I don’t overplan, and I ignore any concierge trying to steer me towards the typical tourist spots. I prefer to arrive somewhere, check out what piques my interest, explore a bit, and make my own plans.”

The person she enjoys this journey with the most is her 14-year-old daughter, Bryn.

“Having the right travel companion is essential,” said the 53-year-old star. “There are friends I wouldn’t travel with, but then there are others who are fantastic. [Bryn is] a great travel buddy, trained by me.”

The proud mother mentioned that she simply tells Bryn the schedule, and her daughter is always ready within five minutes. They align perfectly with their routines. “We always sit down to make a plan and then a flexible outline for the next day,” she explained. “We can adapt easily — she’s a fantastic wingwoman and travel companion.”

Frankel referred to Bryn as “a very seasoned traveler,” having visited Mexico, Australia, Italy, California, and the Hamptons numerous times, among other destinations. However, their most unforgettable trip was to Paris.

“She has always wanted to visit, and it turned out just like a scene from a movie,” Frankel shared. “There was a charm in discovering restaurants, her savoring French flan daily, and exploring vintage shops.”

The teenager has even honed her travel preparations. “She takes pride in packing her own things,” the podcaster noted, adding that Bryn uses packing cubes, just like her mother. “She has developed her own method for packing and traveling.”

While Frankel dreams of taking Bryn to a destination with huts over the water, she often allows her work to guide their travel plans. “Australia was a work trip that turned into an adventure for us for a week,” she explained. Yet, the location is less significant than the experience. “It could be Atlanta or another unfamiliar city. I enjoy the spontaneity; it encourages me to say yes and take her anywhere — I love that!”

One of the recent locations Frankel visited for work was Vancouver, where she filmed a Lifetime movie. Unfortunately, Bryn couldn't accompany her due to school commitments, but this allowed the television personality to fully immerse herself in the craft of acting. While Frankel is an experienced reality TV star and talk show host, the process proved to be completely different. 

“That experience caught me off guard,” she remarked about the added "pressure."

“I dislike keeping others waiting or being someone who appears clueless — I don’t want any special treatment.”

Despite the demanding role that involved substantial dialogue, Frankel aimed to savor every moment of the learning experience. “I developed a newfound respect for actors,” she stated. “I had no idea what to expect, but it was a lot. It’s definitely hard work.”

Frankel’s openness to new experiences has transformed her into an influencer, whether it’s promoting products on her curated The List or sharing favorites through her social media and podcast. She particularly enjoys uplifting small businesses.

What makes Frankel's influence truly impactful is her candidness, especially evident in her podcast segment Just B Rants. If she were to do a travel rant, it would recount a flight back from Aspen on Christmas Eve that lasted nearly 21 hours due to weather delays.

“We were on a quest to catch Santa, and Bryn was in tears, worried we’d miss him,” she reminisced. “I was peering out the plane window, thinking Santa might be out there, and we needed to race against him.” Fortunately, everything worked out, and Santa came on Christmas morning. “But I was stressed — and we were both so tired!” 

Now that Bryn is a teenager, Frankel finds new appreciation for their time together. “This age is wonderful for me because I have a true companion,” she shared. “I’m no longer dragging an eight-year-old along and pretending she’s enjoying herself on trips.”

Despite her busy lifestyle, Frankel is establishing a home base with a pied-à-terre in New York City’s Upper West Side. She approaches this new residence as a travel adventure, exploring and discovering her favorite local spots.

"It’s incredibly charming and much cleaner than other parts of the city,” she remarked about the uptown area. “Every little restaurant feels like a delightful find that you wouldn't have known about otherwise,” she added.