WNBA.com: On the Road With...<br>New York’s Ann Wauters

On the Road With...
New York’s Ann Wauters

WNBA players spend a lot of time on the road, whether traveling in the United States for the WNBA season, playing overseas in the offseason, or, if they are lucky, representing their country in top international tournaments such as the Olympics. But what is it like for players who call the United States a second home? Liberty center Ann Wauters has played in Cleveland and New York gotten to see much of this country in her travels. However, as a native of Belgium who plays overseas in the offseason, she has also done some extensive traveling there as well. So just what are some of this jetsetter's favorite places to go and see?

Q. What are some countries you've gotten to travel to for basketball or personal reasons?
"In the United States, Miami is really nice. When we travel for basketball, we don't get to see too much. I would really like to go Miami. Other countries, I thought Italy was pretty, and I really like the south of France. "

Even though she grew up in Belgium and spends much of her time in Europe, Wauters has fallen in love with the great shopping and dining possibilities in New York.
Jennifer Pottheiser/NBAE/Getty Images

Q. What is your favorite place to go on vacation?
"I once went to the Maldive Islands. It was so beautiful. Everything was the beach."

Q. If you could choose, would you prefer to be on a beach, hiking and camping out, or visiting a museum?
"Since I've grown up, I've only had one beach vacation. I enjoyed it so much, but because I play two seasons, the WNBA season and in Europe, we don't have a lot of time off. When I do get time off, I like to go home and spend time with my friends and family. But I still think about that beach holiday every day."

Q. What are your favorite WNBA cities to visit?
"I really like Los Angeles. I also think Seattle is pretty nice, too."

Q So if that is the best WNBA city to go out shopping, what are some favorite stores?
"I do a lot of shopping. I think the best city very much depends. If we're in a hotel by a mall, we just go to that mall. Being very tall, you really have to look for good clothes and good stores. I can't just go into a store and buy a pair of pants. It is usually the more expensive stores that have long, unhemmed pants that I can have tailored and fit. But unfortunately, they are the expensive ones."

Q. What are the best places to shop and dine out in New York? Any favorites or suggestions?
"New York has some great restaurants. My favorite is actually a Belgian restaurant called Markt. It is down in Chelsea in the meatpacking district. As for shopping, there is so much variety. I like to walk down Fifth Avenue, just to browse. But Century 21 is a different place with a lot of cool stuff, not as expensive. I also like to go to outlets just outside New York, like Woodbury Common. There are a lot of stores there."