• RECENT POSTS
• Lisa Grainger
• Annabel Rivkin
• Liz Thody
• Mariella Frostrup
• ARCHIVE
• 2011
• 2010

Editor Of The Month

January 2010

Travel Q & A - Claudia Winkleman

How would you describe your ideal holiday?

I sort of have two ideal holidays. The ones I suppose I love the most involve beach. I love the beach, possibly too much. I love making sand castles with my children, I love walking along the beach just as the sun is going down, I love watching the sea, I love reading a book on the beach. You could say I'm obsessed. The dream holiday for me then is staying in a hotel on the beach. Not a shuttle bus away and not a 10 minute drive away but ON the beach. Oh yes. The other holiday I love is a city break. I know that might sound bonkers just packing up and spending 2 nights in Venice or Barcelona or Copenhagen will make me the happiest person on the planet.

What is your earliest holiday memory?

Wales. Donkeys. My mum and stepdad took all of us to the beach. I think I must have been about 7 and I remember the excitement of hunting in rock pools and eating ice cream and riding on donkeys. It poured with rain for most of the trip apparently but I only remember having the best time.

Who would be your dream holiday partner?

My husband and two children. Boring but fact. We play good plane games that involves talking a lot about squirrels.

How do you like to relax when on holiday?

I am part human, part cat so I like sleeping as much as I can. I like a mid morning nap and then lunch and then a little kip on the beach and then an early supper and bed at 9. Basically, I’m 101 years old.

What are your 3 essential items when packing for a beach holiday?

A great one piece that I can live in. I bought a chocolate brown swimsuit from Eres about 5 years ago and I love it. I also need lip salve, massive sunglasses and some brilliant books.

Any style tips for what to wear and what not to wear on the beach?

I am always nervous of high heels on the beach. What is THAT about? A big wedge lying next to your sun lounger? No thanks. I love very casual brushed cotton cover ups and a massive woven bag crammed with sun cream and books and magazines and gum. It's win win.

How do you prepare to bare on the beach?

I eat sushi which I'm convinced makes me look better and I have a spray tan. I love a spray tan.

Where is your favourite place you have ever been? And you favourite 3 restaurants you have eaten at whilst on holiday

I think the Caruso Hotel in Ravello might be the best hotel in the world. It's totally and utterly beautiful and yet isn't stuffy and too imposing the people who work there are totally lovely and the pool is just extraordinary. The best meals I've had are a cheeseburger in Soho House in New York. It was, without doubt, the best burger I've ever had in my life. The beef was seriously juicy and the cheese was perfect and the chips and pickles were beyond delicious. I've eaten freakishly amazing sushi at the Huvaven Fushi in the Maldives and the third favourite is the breakfast the Bristol in Paris. It made my eyes fall out. You sit in this deep red damask room and smart men bring you miniature chocolate croissants that are dripping in molten chocolate. What's not to love?

Do you go back to a place you like or do you always try new destinations?

I try to choose different places although sometimes it's lovely to go back to somewhere you just KNOW is great. I feel like that about Babington House, it's just magnificent.

Any holiday nightmare stories?

I once went on holiday and forgot to pack any trousers or skirts. I'm being perfectly serious. Madrid for 6 days with 10 different tops and some knickers. Not so good!

Which is your favourite spa and what treatment do you have?

The Cowshed at Babington House is simply the best spa on the planet. I love their deep tissue massage. I had one that was so good I proposed to the therapist. She thought I was quite odd.

Lastly, your favourite holiday cocktail?

Sex on the Beach. Ahem.