If you don’t recognize John Davidson, then perhaps you recall those trademark dimples. The 74-year-old entertainer has an extensive resume that includes work on the Broadway stage and in television shows such as “That’s Incredible!’’ and “The John Davidson Show.’’ He hosted “The $100,000 Pyramid’’ and “The New Hollywood Squares,’’ and was a regular guest host on “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.’’ Most recently, Davidson, who was raised in West Bridgewater and lives in Lenox with his wife, Rhonda, played the role of the Wizard in the North American tour of the Broadway smash musical “Wicked.’’ We caught up with the father of three and grandfather of six, who will be performing at Club Passim in Cambridge on July 16, to talk about all things travel.

Favorite vacation spot? Paris. I have been there about seven times for multi-week stays [and I] just can’t get enough. I have taken my children there several times and even tried to get them to go for a year in high school, but it didn’t work. Even with the terrorism scare, it still has the class, the food, the wines, the great people with their French egos. . . . I love their sense of themselves. It is only surpassed by the American ego. I hate meeting Americans while I am there; American tourists are too often loud and obnoxious.

Favorite food or drink while vacationing? French food, Italian food, and sushi. French wines . . . any wine. Actually, the drink I forget to drink enough of when I travel is water. Being a tourist is sometimes hard work. When you get dehydrated, it is even harder.

Where would you like to travel to but haven’t? An African safari, and more of India, more of southern Mexico, and more of Germany. I have had trouble getting over WWII and Germany. I wish I didn’t feel this way. Hollywood images of Germans have not helped. I have only been to southern Germany — Baden-Baden and the Black Forest — and I had a wonderful time. I bought a huge cuckoo clock. But my daughter has spent time in Munich and Berlin and raved about her time there. I am ashamed that I have not gone again. After all, every country makes mistakes. Look at all the stupid things the US has done. Germany has also given so much to the world and its people seem so nice, and usually clever and smart.

One item you can’t leave home without when traveling? My guitar. I like to busk – you know, sing on street corners. It is respected more outside the US. I have only done it a couple of times, but I plan to do it a lot more. It is a scary, embarrassing, exciting, and adventurous feeling — and it gives you a different sense of the people. Do something that embarrasses you every day.

Aisle or window? Window. In coach, my shoulders are too big and I get hit by people walking up the aisle. Also, the window seems more private.

Favorite childhood travel memory? We lived in Massachusetts and had to go by train to Pittsburgh to see my grandma. This was in the ’50s. It was a Pullman and we traveled overnight. They made up the berths, upper and lower. The porters had such pride in their work. It was so neat sleeping on the train. Quite an adventure.

Guilty pleasure when traveling? A guilty pleasure when I travel is buying art. It’s always fun to buy art in foreign countries that I would never buy at home. Now I’m not talking about expensive art, but I mean things for $300 to $500. It just feels like if I buy it in a foreign country, it’s more worth it. Isn’t that crazy?

Best travel tip? Carry small toys for crying babies on airplanes. I can’t stand crying babies. When we traveled with our own children, we always took “airplane surprises’’ — sometimes as many as four per flight. They were cheap little things: games, books, construction projects. . . . Why do adults expect children to pass the time as adults do?

JULIET PENNINGTON