On the Road With...
Houston’s Michelle Snow

WNBA players spend a lot of time on the road, whether traveling in the United States for the WNBA season, playign overseas in the offseason, or, if they are lucky, representing their country in top international tournaments such as the Olympics. Comets forward Michelle Snow will be in Italy this offseason, a country that is already familiar to her as she played for Parma in the last offseason as well. But spending all that time away has made her an independent, self-sufficient traveler and one that is quite knowledgeable about where to find the best shops and restaurants no matter where she goes.

Q. What are some countries you've gotten to travel to for basketball or personal reasons?
"My favorite was Nice, Paris. I've been to the Swiss Alps. That was beautiful. I've been to Hawaii, Taipei, Taiwan. I spent a year in Korea; a year in Parma, Italy and I'll be going back there this year. I spent a year in Russia. So, I've been to a lot of different cultures and experience a lot of different things. It's been wonderful experience."

Michelle Snow is back for another offseason spent in Italy. Not only will she be playing for Parma, but she'll get some good shopping in as well.
Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE/Getty Images
Q. What is one place you haven't been that you would like to see?
"One of them is Dubai. I definitely want to go there. I haven't been to the red-light district. I want to go there. It'll be interesting. It'll be a lot of fun."

Q. What is your favorite place to go on vacation?
"I haven't been on vacation in years. If I could go on vacation, I'd probably go to my hometown to the beach - Pensacola Beach. Absolutely one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen and I love it. It's a calming area. If I can't go there, Miami Beach. I'm a beach bum, so somewhere with water."

Q. What are your favorite WNBA cities to visit?
"Miami, although it's no longer. Since Miami isn't there … favorites? I do not like New York; it's too fast paced for me. I'm a southern girl so I love being right there in Houston. I have friends on every team so every city is enjoyable but Houston is definitely my favorite."

Q So if that is the best WNBA city to go out shopping, what are favorite stores?
"I do more shopping overseas, Italy. It's the fashion capital of the world - Milan. If I had to pick two places, Houston is one of the top with the Galleria, and I also love New York. Those are the two top places to go shopping."

Q How about for dining? Any good restaurant recommendations?
"Houston is a great place. Washington D.C. L.A., of course. New York. Most teams are in big cities, so usually you can find something nice in those our cities. Seattle is pretty nice, too, out there on the water."

Q. What are the best places to shop and dine out in Houston?
"In Houston, the Galleria has everything. You can find all the top brand stores, everything you want to find. Louis Vuitton, BCBG, Nordstrom, Saks, all the big stores are there. To dine out in Houston, my favorite restaurant is the Melting Pot, which is a fondue-type restaurant. I definitely like that four-course meal, very nice. I like to eat a lot. You can't tell (laughter). It brings you a little bit of everything from steaks to lobster to shrimp, filet mignon, duck. You're going to be full when you leave there, it's a lot of food. The other is Fogo de Chao [Churrascaria], where you change your card over red-green - they bring the food out until you surrender and turn it over to red. I go to places where I get a lot of food. It's a Brazilian restaurant, a wonderful atmosphere, very nice. I think everyone should go there at least once. It's very nice."
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