The story goes that actress and comedian Judy Gold began her stand-up career on a dare. She was a student at Rutgers University, 6 foot 3 and funny. It seemed like a no-brainer. More than two decades later, the 46-year-old entertainer is still going strong with her brand of sardonic, witty humor. Previously an Emmy-winning writer and producer on "The Rosie O'Donnell Show," Gold can be seen in the "Stand-Up 360" comedy-film showcase being released this summer across the country. She and her partner have two sons.

QWhat is your favorite vacation destination?

ASt. John [in the U.S. Virgin Islands] would be the best vacation I ever had (no kids!). We stayed in a house at the top of the mountain with an infinity pool. We went snorkeling, and the water at the beach was amazing. I went on a few hikes, and we made lots of dinners at home. The best part was there was no CrackBerry service. Oh, and I love Napa -- riding bikes to the wineries and then falling off my bike on the way back to the B&B.

QWhere are your favorite weekend getaways?

AProvincetown, Mass. I have a house there, so sometimes it's not a vacation. Pretty much any beach in summer and anywhere with a fireplace in winter.

QWhat are your favorite hotels and restaurants?

AProvincetown, Mass. Just kidding. Wow. I love the Lenox Hotel [lenoxhotel.com] in Boston, the Valley Ho

[hotelvalleyho.com] in Scottsdale, Ariz., and the Ritz-Carlton [ritzcarlton.com/sanfrancisco] in San Francisco. Actually, pretty much any Ritz-Carlton. I like B&Bs with fireplaces in the bedroom. I just went to one for my birthday called Juniper Hill [atjuniperhill.com] in Finger Lakes, N.Y., and it was awesome. The owner made the most amazing breakfast, and the place was out of this world. Also, we stayed in 1801 First [1801first.com] in Napa, Calif. We had a tub in the middle of the room. It was awesome. Restaurants, there are so many! Gennaro's -- this great Italian restaurant across the street from my apartment. (What more can I ask for?) In New York, I also like Delizia [delizia-ny.com] -- it's a pizza place in front and a restaurant in back. Cozy and very Italian. And Joe Allen's [joeallenrestaurant.com/NY_home.html] has amazing meatloaf. B&G Oysters [bandgoysters.com] in Boston has the best oysters and lobster roll (don't tell my rabbi). The Mews Restaurant & Cafe [mews.com] in Provincetown has amazing food.

QWhen you go away, what are some of your must-have items?

AMy bite plate, my antidepressants, sunscreen, corkscrew, Bose noise-reducing headphones, iPod and speakers.

QWhat is your worst vacation memory

ABeing in the car with my family for hours and hours driving to our destination. We had an AM radio in the car and each other -- torture!

QWhere would you like to go that you have never been to?

AIsrael and Italy.