Tell us about the location you chose for your SUNLOUNGER 2 story… It had to be New Orleans – one of my favourite destinations in America. Imagine a city that’s been permanently dipped in a pool of bright colours, is steeped in a mysterious, enticing mix of magic and tradition and has the ear-pleasing sound of upbeat jazz music and the euphoria of Mardi Gras weaving its way into your brain from every angle. It’s so full of life. Welcome to New Orleans….The Big Easy that is always a big pleasure!
If you could live anywhere in the world… I did adore Brazil as it’s the most colourful and vibrant country, full of life and music and celebration. I’d easily live there. Closer to home I have a real soft spot for Germany. I love the people, their free spirit and the fact that their country is dotted with amazing fairy tale castles than look like something out of a storybook. It’s like a real life Disney kingdom but without the entrance fee and people dressed as mice and ducks!
Destination you’ve returned to the most times? That would be Las Vegas – amount eight times and counting – maybe more. I adore the larger-than-life nature of it, plus the fact that there’s a whole hidden Vegas world away from the neon covered Strip. I have spent some amazing times in Vegas with some amazing friends. Sometimes for weddings, sometimes just for a holiday, but always for the most incredible time. And even though I don’t really gamble I once won £700 there so it will always give me a warm glow of recollection.
As a TV presenter yourself, who do you most love as a TV travel personality? I grew up loving Judith Chalmers on Wish You Were Here? – she was the font of all things travel. If she hadn’t been there then a destination wasn’t worth going to. More recently I do enjoy Stephen Fry’s and Victoria Wood’s travel documentaries. They always put a brilliant spin on things.
Favourite holiday cocktail? I remember having one called Dracula’s Blood on the Greek island of Symi years ago. I have no idea what was in it but it was delicious – I should have asked for the ingredients but to be honest I was having too much of a good time to remember to ask! I just remember it being dark and delicious.
What was your worst holiday romance? I have had a few! In Gran Canaria years ago I fell in love with someone from Bilbao in Spain. They worked in a plastics factory, lived in a caravan and didn’t speak much English, Within 48 hours I decided I was going to leave my life in the UK and head off to live with them in Spain. Needless to say I didn’t. Good job really. That was probably the stupidest love calling I’ve had.
Best holiday romance: The best was meeting my partner on holiday in Blackpool. We’ve been married for years now and I couldn’t be happier.
