Tell us about the location you chose for your SUNLOUNGER short story… I chose the Iguazu Falls in Brazil – I went to on holiday and completely fell in love with it. The UNESCO World Heritage site is actually situated on the border of Brazil and Argentina and a truly beautiful and magical place. The falls there are amazing to look at, as are the forests and wildlife. Plus it’s a place steeped in history and legend which gives it an air of mystery. The days I spent there are still some of the most wonderful I can remember.
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.
